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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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 Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:48 pm
I'm interested to know where everyone stands on issues, such as Abortion or Evolution. These issues really aren't brought up in any sutras or writings, and although I'm certain many venerable teachers have written on the subject, I would like to know what everyone thinks and has come to accept. And in the spirit of science, I'd like to see what you say to the Heinz Dilemma.No cheating.
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Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:55 pm
I'll go first. Ultimately, I have no say in abortion, being a man. It's not, nor will it ever be my body. I have no authority to impose my views on others, so I won't. I don't like the prospect of cosmetic or "I just plain don't want kids" abortions, but I have no say. I am a staunch defender of the Theory of Evolution, if any of you happen to not frequent ED or M&R. It's scientific, so is Buddhism. Fits very well. And finally, the Heinz Dilemma. Quote: A woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $2,000. He asked the doctor scientist who discovered the drug for a discount or let him pay later. But the doctor scientist refused. Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife? Why or why not?Yes. His wife was dying, and deserves a chance to live if the drug exists. The doctor could have taken the money in payments, but his greed was his flaw. Quote: Heinz broke into the laboratory and stole the drug. The next day, the newspapers reported the break-in and theft. Brown, a police officer and a friend of Heinz remembered seeing Heinz last evening, behaving suspiciously near the laboratory. Later that night, he saw Heinz running away from the laboratory. Should Brown report what he saw? Why or why not?Not immediately. He should first confront Heinz about it, and gauge his next action on Heinz's reaction to being confronted. If Heinz is remorseful, he should try to get him to come forward. If Heinz is defensive and easily angered, Brown should report him. Quote: Officer Brown reported what he saw. Heinz was arrested and brought to court. If convicted, he faces up to two years' jail. Heinz was found guilty. Should the judge sentence Heinz to prison? Why or why not?Guilty of what? Theft? The option is there for the judge to issue a sentence nonwithstanding the verdict, and would say that's better than jailtime. Heinz acted in his wife's best interest, regardless of his own fate. I think repayment and community service, along with a fine, would be a better sentence for such a chivalrous and righteous man.
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Akanishi Makoto Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:23 am
Abortion:
Taking anoter life is fundamentally wrong. Everything from a blade of grass to a human being is deserving of life. But we have to seriously ask the question of how compassionate one can be by forcing someone to have a child, when they do not have the emotional or financial capacity to do so. Both parent (s) and child would suffer, and several lives would be ruined in the process.
And then we have to consider what a child would grow up to be like in such a situation. We know that people who grow up in broken homes, or in poverty run a high chance of becoming destructive (to self and other) individuals, eventually landing themselves in jail, or worse. I know that this does not happen in every case, but it is a high likelihood.
By now, I'm sure you're thinking, "boy, is Jizo ever opinionated!" *laughs*
So, I believe that abortion is alright under some circumstances. I am also not alright with it being used as a form of birth control, of abortions being abused. Since this allows the one having them done to believe that it's alright to be promiscuous and heedless with their own body and the life of others. Which it most certainly is not.
I'm not prepared to solve the "abortion problem." This is only my opinion.
Evolution:
I think everything evolves, and everything changes. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. There is ample evidence for the theory of evolution, which gives it a very strong case. So I am more inclined to believe in the theory of evolution, than the hypothesis of Creationism (as by God, Indra, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster). But in either case, I really don't care. I don't care where we came from. If I knew for certain where we came from, it would not change my life here and now. It would not somehow give me that extra motivation to practice the far-reaching attitudes. So, I largely think that the idea of evolution, creationism, and intelligent design are irrelevant.
Heinz Dilemma - Scenario 1
I think it is wrong to steal. But in this case, we have to ask who is stealing from whom? If one of the doctor scientist's samples of the drug were to go missing, would he no longer have the money to feed himself or his family? Would he punished with physical or emotional harm? In all likelihood, he would not.
It is terribly cruel to have a cure to a horrible disease, and to refuse to give it to someone who truly needs it simply because they did not have all the money you wanted for it. You cannot trade a life for money. Lives are precious.
Heinz Dilemna - Scenario 2
Brown has an obligation to do his job, and to uphold the law, so he should report what he saw. It would be unfortunate if Heinz were sent to jail after curing his wife, but Heinz also needs to accept the consequences of his actions. All actions have consequences, even if they are motivated by compassion. There is no escaping this. That doesn't mean that one should sacrifice kindness for self-preservation, however.
Heinz Dilemma - Scenario 3
Judges have the power to uphold laws. They also have the power to make exceptions, and even re-write laws. A judge has an obligation to protect public interests and security. So we have to ask if sending Heinz to jail would protect the public? Well, that would assume that he was a danger to the public which, from what he did and his motivation for it, we can see that he is not. He broke the law, but he did not break justice. The judge should not sentence him to prison. Perhaps community service would be better - since Heinz should still pay for breaking and entering, and theft. Also, by doing community service, he will be clearing up his karma and helping others in the process.
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Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:15 am
Abortion
I am completly 100% against it, I mean, even if it's a just a developing cell/cells inside of someone it's still life, and your taking away it's future. I mean, all of us are abortion survivors, and honestly, what would have happened if one of us wasn't a survivor, for example, if I weren't a survivor, then everybody I have ever met and talked to and such would be different in some way or another, and people who have met them and etc.
Evolution
I'm for certain theories, and I'm against some others. Overall it's a pretty solid statement to say that we evolved from something, especially since evolution is happening in other species before our eyes, we just can't deny it anymore.
Scenario 1
Honestly, I think he should. It's a life vs. money. I mean, come on, when somebody values something material, especialy money, over a human life, that's just wrong. If I were in that guys position I would do it, regardless of the concequences.
Scenario 2
I think he should, in my oppinion, he should tell the truth and not pick favorites just because he is his friend. Now, that's what I think he should do, but if I were Brown, I wouldn't say anything unless somebody asked, I'd beat around the bush until I got cornered into asking a specific question that I couldn't get out of by telling the truth, I may be one to go around the truth, but I'm not about to lie for something.
Scenario 3
I believe that the judge should, I know, his cause may have been good, but he did it, he is guilty and he knows the what will happen to his action. Every action has a reaction, good or bad, you got to live with it.
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Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:45 pm
Ahh a good choice of topic.
- Abortion: A woman's decision, if they were raped. Personally, if they weren't, then they should have the baby and give it up for adoption, if it was not forced, then give a little effort to help it, but if it was rape, or anything along those lines then I am very much for pro-choice.
- Evolution: Buddhism doesn't really give an explanation for the beggining of time, which I am not surprised, in fact it is far more intelligent than saying something else. This leaves room for science, which is almost always correct, so yes, I believe in evolution.
- Gay Marriage: No argument necessary here, it is their right to do what they want we shouldn't fight gays on it, they aren't hurting anyone, and no, their children are unaffected by it, which was proven in a well done study. ( New York Times is where I learned about it just for credibility )
- Death Penalty: No, killing is killing, don't turn it into a cycle by killing a killer. I don't see jail as a punishment but as a means to stop convicts from commiting crimes, so life in jail suits murder just fine.
Anything else that I see and I will edit this.
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:40 pm
I am against abortion in all forms, I mean in the case of Rape, why should the child have to pay for the sins of the father? I know the women could be traumatized, but afterwards she might regret taking the life of an innocent child
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:48 pm
Abortion:
As a female, I strongly dislike the idea of anyone tell me what to do with my body, and I can empathize with others in this way. I do not believe abortion should of ever been a government issue. It's just too personal with too many grey areas to ever resolve without causing suffering to someone.
Though I agree that it's wrong to take a life, I personally set the line of individually at the time a fetus is mature enough to survive outside the mother without lasting complications. Until then, it's the same body as mother as it depends on her entirely.
I would not personally chose abortion if it were me, but I can understand the desperation women whom are already poor, facing the prospect of feeding another mouth. We know these children often.. though not always.. end up starving... or in gangs and in jail.... and suffering begets suffering.
I do however cringe at those that are well off and seeking abortion purely for superficial reasons. May we help them all.
Evolution:
I believe in evoluton. I believe it's possible for the universe, and for life to exist simply for it's own desire to be. There's something beautiful in the idea that all life on Earth was born from a common ancestor. It confirms the oneness of life... which is ultimately what many strive for.
As the Dalai Lama put it in The Universe in a Single Atom, we should always allow empirical evidence to shine through. Not to be afraid of truth challenging tradition. However, not being able to find something, is not the same as it not being there.
Heinz Dilemma 1:
Yes, if the man is truly desperately, I believe the woman's life to be more valuable to save than the money being lost by the the laboratory.
Heinz Dilemma 2:
The police officer should tell about his friend. It's his job, and it doesn't appear that he was informed by the friend about his wife or situation... so there should be no guilt on his part.
Heinz Dilemma 3:
Knowing that stealing is ultimately wrong, prison should be a necessary sentence for Heinz. Though I wouldn't make it a particularly long prison term, the man should be punished fairly as anyone else who steals.
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