Where Do We Draw the Line?

       

  Richard has been watching several reruns from the 70’s.  We were watching a “Quincy” with the topic of down syndrome and ignorance.  It reminded me a bit of the controversy of abortion.  My obstetrician had advised me (or maybe suggested) that I might want to consider an abortion given my age and the statistics that made it probable that I would be carrying a child with down syndrome. 

        I remember feeling resentment at the suggestion.  So what?  If my child had down syndrome he or she would still be a blessing to our family.  God entrusted the baby into my care and I would definitely care for him or her.  It wouldn’t have mattered.  I would have loved the child regardless.  We have been so blessed with Jaime who does not have down syndrome. 

        Regardless of their physical appearance or their ability to quickly process information, they are still human beings with feelings and purpose.  I rue the ignorance of others who won’t even try to understand or show compassion toward others regardless of circumstance.  Treat others in the same manner that you would like to be treated.

        The next Quincy that we watched featured an individual with schizophrenia who was institutionalized and had escaped the institution to return to the home of his family where he killed all family members except for his mom who wasn’t present.  He, of course, didn’t remember doing it.  It was another personality.  His lawyer was going to try and get him off “due to insanity” – really?  We’re going to free someone because of insanity?  Doesn’t every act of murder involve some degree of insanity?  And if that be the reason, wouldn’t that said individual be more of a threat?  People like that shouldn’t be set free! 

And yet, just as the down syndrome or kabuki syndrome individual, they are all children of God.  It’s not their fault they are mentally out there – but I would be in favor of aborting those who kill for the “sport” of it – those who have turned guns on innocent people in Chicago, Texas, Las Vegas, Sandy Hooks . . .  where does it end?  I am in Favor of aborting those that turn out like Hitler and Putan.  But how do you know?  How do you know when they haven’t been born yet? 

So where do we draw the line?  Who is it that decides who lives or dies? Or how our tax money is spent?  Why are we putting them in prison and spending money to feed them?  I mean the ones who have been caught in the act of crime – although I suppose most of those ended up turning the gun on themselves and now are having to answer on the other side.  I know that mental illness exists.  I have been hurt by people who on experimental medication – though not physically.  I wouldn’t want to kill or abort them because overall they are good people who feel and care and show compassion – when they are of sound mind to do so. 

I don’t wish to sound as though I am comparing the physical appearance, mentality, or syndromes to one another.  My intent is to express how each of us is human.  Each of us has some kind of challenge – though some challenges seem more obvious than others.  If we each have a soul, don’t we deserve to exist without others pointing fingers at us or making judgment calls (which I have done – obviously).  Where do we draw the line?

My Ignorant Friends

          There are so many creative posts to facebook lately, and just as many that are hurtful such as warnings to NOT buy products from the Chinese.  Really?  Someone has the odyssey to promote bigotry during these trying times.  I would think the citizens of China have even less to say about their government than do US citizens.  Though there are Trump supporters and followers many Americans are just as offended by his lack of leadership skills or lack of compassion as perhaps citizens of other countries are ashamed.  In China it is against the law to cross the government whereas in the USA citizens have the right to voice their opinions and even criticize the government without being arrested.  This pandemic is not the fault of the Chinese citizens.  They are victims just as much as anybody.  They did not choose to become guinea pigs of some governmental experience anymore than soldiers of this country when fighting in Vietnam chose to become victims to agent orange from 1962 to 1971. 

          People make mistakes.  Leaders make mistakes.  It happens.  As of now we are not or should not pit country against country.  We are not against one another (as a whole – I know Trump has said many things that have offended those outside of the U.S.  But trust me, he has offended just as many American citizens with his sometimes childish but mostly idiotic behavior) as we are all fighting the same demon regardless of where it originated.  Let’s not throw bigotry into the mix as well. 

          I have some friends who live in fear as well as isolation .  I have other friends who are skeptics and view this entire pandemic as a hoax staged for an upcoming election.  There is so much out there – some truths, others misinterpretations of the truth, still others that are bold faced lies.  I don’t even know what to believe anymore and may think of this as a hoax myself except for the church’s involvement.

          When else in history has the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or any other denomination) closed its doors?  The church had announced the cancellation of all meetings before the government did.  They have closed the temples.  Seamstresses who worked on temple clothes have been asked to sew masks.  Other organizations have put their teams to work for sewing masks.  Even when the leaders are fooled into thinking the pandemic is over, it won’t be over.  If we’re not careful it will sneak upon us and perhaps become worse for it is than it is right now.

          Let us not cast blame.  Blame doesn’t solve anything.  We need to be cautious of the disease not necessarily one another.  We need each other’s support not prejudices.  We are in this together.  Let us remember the children of Israel who made it out of darkness after the first Passover.  Let us remember the citizens of Jerusalem and around the world who came out of darkness after the first Easter’s resurrection.  We too will come out of darkness.  But we have to lift one another into the light.  If we point fingers or cast stones at one another, it will only prolong the darkness.