Posted on 10/26/2004 2:18:04 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback
Since we can't post stuff from the Rockford Register-Star (and none of the local TV stations have a story on it) I figure I'd pass the info on.
Richard Ragsdale worked at the Northern Illinois Women's Center in Rockford for 31 years, hanging his shingle out in April, 1973, not long after the Roe vs. Wade decision. He was the region's only abortion provider. He was 69 years old and died after a short illness, which I've been told was pancreatic cancer.
Recently the clinic had gone to being open two days a week. Since Ragsdale's hospitalization, that has been reduced to one day. The Register-Star reports that the clinic will stay open with another doctor performing the abortions, and a local protestor tells me they've seen a new face showing up down there one day a week. Our bet is that they're having to bring someone in from Chicago.
I'd like to echo the words of another local protestor, Kevin Rilott, who said, "I pray that God has mercy on him like I pray he has mercy on all of us." But I will also say that the Register-Star article calls Ragsdale a frequent church-goer, and I shudder that any "church" would have a man elbow-deep in the blood of children.
The Register-star article is here. Be advised this article is subject to a PROJECTILE-VOMITING-BARF-ALERT.
Heaven may prove to be quite surprising place. Not to mention Hell...whew, I shudder to think of those religious people who never knew Jesus Christ.
You are truly a sad and delusional case.
That's the best you can come up with? Sheesh.
Oh, no. I can come up with much better.
You just aren't worth it.
That's mighty Christian of ya.
No. It isn't "very Christian" of me.
I am flawed human being. I accept a set of values that are pretty much impossible to attain, but to which I am always striving.
Sometimes, I win and turn the other cheek, thereby gaining victory over my selfish nature. Sometimes, I lose and give in to my baser proclivities. It is an endless struggle.
Some great Christian philosopher (I think it was Aquinas or Augustine) once responded to critics who said that the Christians they knew were all hypocrites. He said that yes, indeed, they are. Hypocrites every one. But, the difference is that Christians KNOW they are hypocrites.
We are daily confronted with our failures because our standards, as spelled out in the Bible, are perfection. Thus, we must fall completely on God's grace. We can never make it on our own righteousness.
> I am flawed human being.
On that, at least, we can agree.
> Sometimes, I lose and give in to my baser proclivities.
Amply demonstrated.
> the difference is that Christians KNOW they are hypocrites.
While those of other religions may well NOT be hypocrites, due to their different religious standards. However, for a group that is supposed to emulate their God, a god who "Hates the sin but loves the sinner," there is just a whole lot of "hate the sinner" going on here. And then look how prickly some of you get when someone points that out.
I don't think so. It's more like relief that this fellow will not kill babies anymore. I find it impossible to hate the guy--I never met him. But, I likewise find it impossible NOT to hate what he did.
>>there is just a whole lot of "hate the sinner" going on here.
>I don't think so.
Well, then how do you explain such gems as:
"Pancreatic cancer is said to painful. I hope it was. "
"Vivisect him and throw him in the trash." (Vivisection being a bit difficult to perform on the dead, but oh well...)
"I hope it wasn't too painless."
"Enjoy the show "doctor"."
"I hope it was painful"
"Therefore, I celebrate the death of this baby-killer. "
Understand, I see no particular problem with this. People who do hateful things for no good reason deserve to be hated. I do, however, derive amusement from the double standards so often displayed by those who are so certain of salvation.
That, and amusement from the "Anyone who doesn't agree with me is an atheist, and thus has no valid opinions" line of reasoning. Guffawww!!!
It is possible to mock someone when justice is done to them, without actually hating the person. Husbands and wives often gloat when their spouse is given a come-uppance by life. It's human nature.
I do, however, derive amusement from the double standards so often displayed by those who are so certain of salvation.
Like I said, we are flawed human beings who often say and do stupid, un-Christlike things. Only one person has ever lived the perfect Christian life, and He now resides on the right hand of the Father. The rest are still inhabited with a sinful nature.
Also, it cannot be inferred that someone who is pro-life is automatically a Christian. I have met several here on FR who are atheists, Jews and other religions who are very pro-life.
That, and amusement from the "Anyone who doesn't agree with me is an atheist, and thus has no valid opinions" line of reasoning.
I think a more reasonable interpretation of that attitude is "how does someone who does not share my faith make judgements about my faith regarding my faith based upon the tenets of my faith?" It makes as much sense as my lecturing a Buddhist on why he is not a good Buddhist, or telling an animist that he can't be a good animist because he does x, y and z. My opinion on their religion is invalid and would be ignored. Likewise, non-Christians have no valid viewpoint on how a Christian should live his faith.
> Only one person has ever lived the perfect Christian life,
Yes. Herman Schmikkleman, of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
> and He now resides on the right hand of the Father.
Which is rather unfortunate for the Father, as ol' Herman weighed in at 455 pounds...
> It makes as much sense as my lecturing a Buddhist on why he is not a good Buddhist, or telling an animist that he can't be a good animist because he does x, y and z.
Tell me: if you knew that the religion of, say, Islam says that Muslims are NOT supposed to get likkered up and eat a ham samich, and you saw a Muslim doing exactly that.... where is the logical flaw in you pointing this out to said Muslim?
> My opinion on their religion is invalid and would be ignored. Likewise, non-Christians have no valid viewpoint on how a Christian should live his faith.
That's just bizarre. An atheist can point out unChrist-like behavior in a Christian as well as anyone else, and quite possibly better oweing to a more objective position. Christianity is not a Mystery Religion, with it's tenets open for only the initiated to examine. It is, in fact, an open book.
Sure. An atheist can make whatever judgements he wishes about how a person is living his or her Christian life. But, nothing in the universe is less relevent. And nothing in the universe is more deserving of being ignored.
Are you as anxious to point out when Christians, according to your judgement, are properly living their faith (you know, stuff like the millions of tons of food and medical supplies provided to those who would otherwise starve or die, etc etc), or are you only "amused" by their failures?
>An atheist can make whatever judgements he wishes about how a person is living his or her Christian life. But, nothing in the universe is less relevent. And nothing in the universe is more deserving of being ignored.
Hey, that's great. So I take it you WOULDN'T make a judgement about whether or not a Muslim is living according to Muslim beliefs? Or do you simply feel that Christians are special and are not to be criticized by others?
> Are you as anxious to point out when Christians, according to your judgement, are properly living their faith
No, and for the same reason I don't post "me, too!" posts, and for the same reason why I don't congratulate people for NOT breaking the speed limit, robbing banks or cheating on their wives.
It wouldn't be my place to criticize a Muslim for how he practices his faith. That would be ludicrous. I have no idea what it means to live as a Muslim, therefore my opinion would be irrelevant.
Or do you simply feel that Christians are special and are not to be criticized by others?
Criticize all you want. But when a non-Christian criticizes a Christian for not (in the non-Christian's uneducated view) living up to the Christian faith, don't be surprised if no one cares what you have to say.
The standard is the life of Christ and the words of the Bible. What non-believers have to say about it is the epitome of irrelevance.
No, and for the same reason I don't post "me, too!" posts, and for the same reason why I don't congratulate people for NOT breaking the speed limit, robbing banks or cheating on their wives.
Ahhhh...so you don't post unless you can say something negative. I've noticed that.
> It wouldn't be my place to criticize a Muslim for how he practices his faith.
Your "place?" You ARE and American, yes? It is your place to criticize anything you damned well like.
> I have no idea what it means to live as a Muslim
That seems impressively unlikely. But if it's true, it speaks to MASSIVE ignorance on your part.
> you don't post unless you can say something negative.
It's called "constructive criticism." I'm not a yes-man.
Well, sure. But, for me to criticize someone for not living up to what I believe to be the standards of his faith is absurd. My opinion would be irrelevant and would be met with the contempt it deserves.
>> I have no idea what it means to live as a Muslim
That seems impressively unlikely. But if it's true, it speaks to MASSIVE ignorance on your part.
Huh? I am not now nor have I ever been a Muslim. If I were to claim that I know what it's like to be Muslim, I would be a liar. How would I know what it means to live as a Muslim? I'm not one.
It's called "constructive criticism."
You haven't got to the "constructive" part, yet.
> for me to criticize someone for not living up to what I believe to be the standards of his faith is absurd.
Why? Especially when the "standards of his faith" are common knowledge?
Let me put it this way: If I, as a non-Christian, saw a self-professed Christian raping a child, would it be "absurd" for me to declare that act/person as "unChristian?"
(For the purposes of completeness, this hypothetical remark would come *after* I whopped him upside the head with a ballbat.)
Party on bro'.
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