I finished the book today, and it has left me unsettled still, yet with more faith in the power of God to tear down the Babels of our day. The Holocaust did send the Eugenics movement into hiding. It does surprise me that more hasn't been said about this movement and our quest for racial purity. Thirty states had sterilization laws on their books. Doctors and legislators felt it their moral duty to take away the right to bear and raise children from several thousands of Americans, often without their consent in the guise of an appendectomy. The author does make the connection between the eugenics movement and the biotechnology and genetic engineering of our day. The same quest for perfection, though not based on race, can also serve to destroy us as a civilization. He appeals to "positive law" to save us from moral depravity, but I would argue that the law has to come from God and His Word. Our inalienable rights come from our Creator. If there is no Creator, then how can one argue that we have any more rights than animals? It is God who gives human beings separate dignity. The by-product of the theory of evolution is a race of people no longer morally accountable to God. "With man no longer seen as little lower than the angels, nor sparked with the divine, but simply a biological creature more evolved than apes, Galton could begin to build a science of better breeding upon a simple intuition, an intuition so disarmingly uncomplicated and eminently rational that it still makes sense today. If pigs and peas and flowers can be engineered for better traits, why not human beings?"
Evolution is not an amoral theory. The consequences of Darwin's teaching spawned a new generation of people who believed that somehow "science" had become the new savior. We are no longer accountable to God. Many may believe that God started it all, and some form of evolution started from that point on, but a large number of people, tired of the conventional Christian morality, took Darwin and ran with it as an opportunity for moral lawlessness and human pride. As Bruinis pointed out, those who were the main proponents of eugenics in the US did not have children - Galton had severe mental breakdowns, suffered from syphilis and died childless. Charles Davenport had two daughters who rejected his beliefs and they died childless. His son died of disease at a young age. Harold Laughlin ended up with epilepsy - one of the conditions that would have led to sterilization under his own state's laws. He and his wife were also unable to have children. Bruinis points out the irony as natural, but I would see it as divine consequences for ungodly choices.
As we face similar challenges today that were faced by those around the beginning of the 20th century, the question still remains - what about the moral dignity of the individual? As Bruinius puts it, "What is the foundation for human dignity in light of evolution?" If we lose our belief in a Creator God who has set human beings apart as moral entities, then doing whatever is necessary to create our own "master race" will again become the goal. Christianity requires that we bear the burdens of those less fortunate than ourselves, that we give to those in need and care for orphans and widows. We must have regard for the sanctity of human life or, as Robert H. Jackson said at the Nuremberg Trials, our quest for perfection may result in the "doom of civilization." God will not be mocked.

Eugenics

I've been reading Better for all the World: The Secret History of Forced Sterilization and America's Quest for Racial Purity by Harry Bruinius and it reminds me of the textbook scandal in Texas. Such an outcry was made by those who didn't like the choices made by the powers that be as to what is important for our children to learn and what isn't - yet we make these choices all the time and many things that have tainted the past of nations is often ignored when it comes time to write the history books.
About a year ago, my husband and I watched the dvd, "Expelled." It was a documentary about the persecution endured by professors at American universities who believe in Intelligent Design. Many have lost their jobs or have been overlooked for jobs or promotions due to their beliefs. The dvd also made a case that tied Hitler and his intentional plan to exterminate Jews and other "undesirables" to evolution. Many followers of Darwin said that this was crazy and insisted that the makers of the dvd issue an apology for trying to connect Hitler with Darwin.

They should read Harry Bruinius's book. Francis Galton, founder of the Eugenics movement, was Charles Darwin's younger cousin. After reading Origin of the Species he soon developed his own ideas from his cousin's and wrote Hereditary Genius. His cousin praised his work and encouraged Galton in his pursuits of improving mankind. Galton's development of Eugenics theory grew in England but really took off in the United States. Illinois and California had forced sterilization laws for "imbeciles." Harry Laughlin, a schoolteacher from Missouri, helped couch eugenics in religious terms, and appealed to American's desire for a "better baby" or a "fitter family." The extent to which these ideas took over our culture is troubling, to say the least. When Germany was at the height of its sterilization program in 1936, the Nazi regime through Heidelberg University awarded Laughlin an honorary doctorate for his many contributions to "racial hygiene."
Americans were just as interested in creating a master "Nordic race" as the Nazis were in creating a German one - they just didn't go as far. The horrors of the Holocaust exposed the inhumane lies behind eugenics and all associated with it quickly went into hiding.
I'm about halfway through the book. In London in 1912, there was a five-day conference called the First International Congress of Eugenics. Winston Churchill was there, as was the mayor of London, the Chief Justice of England, and foreign ministers from Norway, Greece and France. Leading the conference was Major Leonard Darwin - Charles Darwin's son. The speaker from New Jersey, describing how sterilization is the best way to deal with those defective genes received the greatest attention.
At the end of the conference, Major Darwin addressed the attendees and stated the following:

The struggle might be long and the disappointments might be many. But we have seen how the long fight against ignorance ended with the triumphant acceptance of the principle of evolution in the 19th century (Applause and cheers). Eugenics is but the practical application of that principle, and might we not hope that the 20th century will in like manner be known in the future as the century when the eugenic ideal is accepted as part of the creed of civilization. It is with the object of insuring that the realization of this hope that the Congress was assembled.

Thank God for divine intervention.

(More to follow after reading more...)

The Most Recent Charisma

We received the latest issue of Charisma magazine in our mailbox today, and I had the opportunity to look it over for a little while this afternoon. Charisma is not my favorite magazine, except for J. Lee Grady's Fire In My Bones column. He is a prophet for our times, and isn't afraid to say what needs saying. His piece on Todd Bentley in this issue is no exception. Todd's restoration to public ministry shouldn't even be brought up yet - what should be the focus of this painful situation is his family. His ex-wife and three children should receive any funds raised through the mail. Sending money to restore Todd's ministry is absurd. Lee is bringing the focus back to where it needs to be.



The other articles are all about Israel, and the range of views makes me wonder if Lee is somewhat lacking in his editorial role. Maybe Charisma lets all kinds of views be printed so that readers can sort out what they believe, but I would think a little editing would be in order. I'm not excited about seeing what the next issue holds after going through this one.



In three different articles about Israel, I learned that if I bless Israel according to the blesssings laid out in Deuteronomy, I will be blessed. Is the focus of those blessings me? Weren't they given to God's people so that they could be blessed? Shouldn't I be praying that the Jews would do according to what God says in those verses on blessings and curses? (At least the ones that can still be applied today.) I do believe that if I follow the ways of the Lord, I will be blessed. But by blessing Israel, while they blow off God's instructions, so that I can be blessed seems misguided.



The second article that made me wonder who puts this stuff together involves the Torah. One of the last paragraphs of this writing says, "Believers, of course, are partakers of a new covenant with God, marked by the forgiveness of sin and sealed by the blood of Christ. Yet gentile believers can receive amazing insight and pratical knowledge by examining the roots of the Christian faith, which begin in the Torah code and extend to the covenant God made with Abraham so many centuries ago." The article stated that the Torah is reason the Jews are so smart, and if we take time to read the Torah we can be smart, too. I thought that in Christ were hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, but no - we need the Torah!



Then one of the end-times guys informed me that John Wesley, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards and a host of others were all convinced that the Antichrist is Islam. When Jesus returns to fight that final, big battle, it will be against Islamic nations. I thought Revelation said that the kings of all the ungodly nations will be in that battle, but maybe Islam will be taking over the whole world before that final battle. I do wish Mr. Wesley, Mr. Luther and Mr. Edwards were around to defend themselves. Maybe they said that Islam will be an evil force to reckon with in the future (I definitely agree!), but to take this and make such a case frustrates me. Stick to what people say, don't just use a possible suggestion and run with it to make your case, especially when talking about the most unclear book of all - Revelation.



In a final, weak defense of the magazine, there were three articles I appreciated. Barry Segal, whom I've had the opportunity to host in our home, has a right-on article about worship and intercession used in battling Israel's enemies. "The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Europe" is a short wake-up call to how hateful many in Europe are - calling out "Kill the Jews" as survivors of the Holocaust march in a parade in Sweden!



"Ten Ways to Bless Israel" is a title I have problems with (Did Ezekiel and Jeremiah encourage people to bless Israel when Israel was rebellious?), but the first two ways got my attention. If I were to go to Israel, I would want to spend time at Succat Hallel, a 24/7 praise and worship center, facing the very place where King David began round-the-clock worship in the tabernacle. Israel desperately needs prayer - reconciliation with Jesus being the focus, and then wisdom for their national leaders would help. Number Two is "feed the poor with Living Bread Ministries" - serve in a Palestinian Refugee camp. Karen Dunham has started a ministry to refugee camps in Jericho, Bethlehem, Ramallah and Hebron. She has favor with the Palestinians and the Israeli army that lets her in and out of these territories. Now that is putting the Christian faith into action.

Real Conservatives are a Dying Breed

I voted for Ron Paul. I would have like to have voted for John McCain, but he made so many stupid decisions during the last month of the campaign that I couldn't fill in his circle on that ballot. Ron Paul didn't have a chance, but he is pro-life, anti-preemptive war and more of a true conservative than any other candidate. And he has won elections, which is more than could be said of any of the third party candidates on the ballot.

American Vision had a piece on their website that has come closer to my political views than any other political writing as of late. Certain parts of this article also ring true with my husband, who has endured scorn from conservatives and liberals alike for not swallowing the respective Kool-aid. This AV article, written by Joel McDurmon, can be found at http://www.americanvision.org/articlearchive2008/11-06b-08PRINT.html.

We have sent some of our older kids to the public school, with our eyes wide open and our mouths also open every evening when they start their homework. We have taken advantage of Wisconsin's Healthy Start program and have many conservative friends who are on Badger Care. I for one do not think the church in America is ready to take on the education of our young people or the health care costs of so many sick people. We have let the government start these programs, and I am not convinced that the church is supposed to take on the care of any and all who find themselves in dire circumstances. Marvin Olasky talks about the "worthy poor," and the church's responsibility to sort out who they are and care for them. My mother-in-law believes that local private organizations are partial, and that federal programs don't know the circumstances of each poor family so the resulting handout is more fair. I do believe that the church should offer options for those who do not want to be part of our socialist system, but do we have what it takes to offer solutions for all those involved in government education, welfare, and health care? Even if we try to be available to help with health needs, the church will soon be bankrupt if we have to pay current medical costs.

Something I would like to do is educate our young people about true Chrisitan conservatism. They need to know what the Constitution says, what the Founding Fathers had in mind, and the tremendous opportunity that comes with self-governing freedom. But I have trouble finding young people with the attention span to really want to learn this stuff. Our citizenry has been so dumbed down and so convinced that the federal government is here to provide for our needs that it will take a revival on a national scale to even start to bring things back to more of a government that looks like a republic. Even many conservatives don't know what our government was in the beginning - they just know liberal bad and Republican good. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Please think.

Sarah Palin - Another Good Example

John McCain's nomination of Sarah Palin as his vp candidate brings back reminders of the whole Bush problem. George W. is an evangelical Christian, so many Christians in this nation believed that because he's a Christian he would make a great president. The lack of insight is remarkable, but it is evident that Christians don't take the time to think much below the surface before becoming a cheerleader for their fellow believer.
Sarah Palin seems to have done some great things as governor. She has raised taxes on oil companies and confronted corrupt Republicans. But she has also given positions to unqualified high school friends and carries out great secrecy in her administration. She is also quick to label critics as "haters" and keep them out of her inner circle of advisors. These are qualities we are trying to get rid of in national leaders. Her absence as governor has caused great frustration for many mayors, yet she has kept her family a high priority. As vp, she will not be able to have it both ways - either her family will suffer or she will not carry out her responsibilities faithfully. I am also uncomfortable knowing that she exposed her pregnant daughter to national scrutiny at such a difficult time in her life. Is her ambition admirable? Can't she recognize that her ambition is premature? She can't honestly believe that she is ready to take over for John McCain as president if something should happen to him, can she? In her interview the other night she sounded like a Republican puppet, saying exactly what she had been told to say. I, for one, do want a resume with some global experience from someone who may rule the free world. I want someone who knows what is going on and has definite insight into the problems we are facing. This isn't a final you can cram for, this is a position requiring a lot of knowledge and wisdom gained over time. At this point, I think John McCain really blew it. He gave a great speech at the convention, but his choice for vp is the mirror image of Bush. His negative ads are in direct opposition to what he said we were all tired of in his acceptance speech. The two-party system stinks and I can't buy into it. I'm writing in Ron Paul.

The Spin on Torture

(This is an oped piece I had written for the Cap Times. It was going to be used, but the woman I knew there got promoted to Managing Editor that same day. So this article was forgotten. That's fine with me, but I felt like posting it today since the issue is still important.)

The Spin on Torture
By Debra Miller

As a young adult, I remember learning of the barbaric tactics used by the Japanese military on prisoners of war during World War II. I was, of course, horrified, and I was so thankful to be an American where we didn’t behave like “those people.” When we captured soldiers, we treated them with basic respect and dignity because we were Americans – the nation with true character.

Today I am reading the “Alleged Secret Detentions and Unlawful Inter-state Transfers Involving Council of Europe Member States” by Mr. Dick Marty of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. The report contains details of certain men who have been detained by our government for months and sometimes years, tortured, forced to endure barbaric conditions, and then – in some cases – released because there was no evidence of guilt in the first place. Some of these men are still in custody in Guantanamo, just because they knew someone who knew someone who was part of a terrorist organization. The following is a description of an American prison in Kabul called the “Dark Prison,” sometimes used as a detention post: there is “loud music round the clock, a total absence of light, rotten food, no possibility to wash or use a toilet, uncomfortable handcuffing and leg shackling, cold cell, inadequate clothing, prisoners frequently beaten and trampled on.”

There is the testimony of Binyam Mohamed al Habashi, a resident of the United Kingdom, who has been held in Guantanamo for five years. He has kept a diary of these years and the various abuses he has suffered at the hands of American CIA agents and government officials of other nations that have been involved in the rendition program. The abuses are several and severe, at the least humiliating and at the worst close to murder. It could just be one man’s testimony, except that many others who have been under our custody due to the war on terror have said the same thing. They have been subject to beatings, cutting of private parts and then having pictures taken of them, hanging them in shackles, knocking of heads against the wall, and being chained to the floor with their arms suspended above their head. These are just a few of the things that we are supposed to accept as “enhanced interrogation techniques.”

According to an AP report of November, 2005, over 83,000 people have been detained in the “war on terror.” About 14,500 are still in custody. Of the 112 who have died in US custody, 26 are being investigated as criminal homicides. What has happened to our character as a nation? William Bennet wrote a book entitled, Moral Outrage, in regard to the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. Where is Bennet’s book about the moral outrage regarding the use of torture by the Bush administration? Where is the evangelical Christian response to such obvious disregard for human dignity?

Our behavior is extremely hypocritical in light of trying to build a democracy in Iraq. It is also hypocritical in light of our president’s religious beliefs. The examples of torture in the Bible are many – Jeremiah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshah, Abed-nego, Peter, Paul, Silas, and the one who endured the most torture – Jesus – all victims of political power gone bad. Torture, by definition, is done by a government to a person in its custody. Imprisoned people are vulnerable and cannot fight back. That is why we could point fingers at the Japanese and Germans and decry their injustice and lack of humanity. Now we need to get the log out of our eye and demand change from our administration.

Richard J. Neuhaus has said, “We dare not trust ourselves to torture.” It may work for Jack Bauer, but, as Senator John McCain has said, “24” makes great TV but rotten reality. David P. Gushee, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University, in his “Christianity Today” article “Against Torture,” states,

Just because U.S. government officials say that we can be trusted to act
‘in keeping with our values’ - without due process, accountability, and
transparency - does not make it so. No government is so virtuous as to
be able to overturn the too often verifed laws of human nature, or to be
beyond the need for democratic checks and balances.”

Gushee has identified five reasons that torture must not be allowed. First, it violates the intrinsic dignity of the human being, made in the image of God. Second, it mistreats the vulnerable and thus violates the demands of public justice. Third, authorizing any form of torture trusts government too much. Fourth, torture invites the dehumanization of the torturer. (I have never been proud of my German heritage for this reason.) And fifth, torture erodes the character of the nation that tortures.

The fifth reason contains the most irony. This administration, which prides itself on representing the evangelical Christians of our nation and holds the allegiance of so many of those Christians, is condoning behavior that is so anti-Christian as well as being un-American. They are using political spin to justify sin. And where there is sin, there is need of repentance. The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” If these rights are God-given, then they are extended to all of mankind and not just Americans. God is just, and the guilty will not go unpunished, but we must always remember that that goes for us as well as the “bad guys.”

The United States Supreme Court, in a June 2004 judgment, stated, “For if this Nation is to remain true to the ideals symbolized by its flag, it must not wield the tools of tyrants even to resist an assault by the forces of tyranny.” Our nation is founded on the belief of the dignity of each person, and many who have gone before us have built a reputation for this nation that is worthy of our pride and patriotism. But when our behavior gets out of hand it is up to us to speak out and call for accountability. As Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Pat Buchanan is my Hero - Today

I just finished listening to Joy Cardin's interview with Pat Buchanan on WPR. He is calling a spade a spade as far as the war in Iraq is concerned, and the potential for war with Iran. He has declared that our reasons for going into Iraq were wrong, many have died needlessly, and that we as Americans are full of ourselves if we think it's our job to save the world. If Bush continues to push toward war with Iran, and the American people don't stop him, then we will face the judgment we deserve. You don't go to war based on a perceived threat, you go to war to avenge acts of wickedness. George W. Bush, unless he repents, will have the blood of many Americans and many more Iraqis on his hands. So will Congress.

Guliani has the neocons behind him - to put him in the White House would be foolishness indeed.

And how has this affected Iraqi Christians? Brother Andrew says that conditions for Christians there are worse than they have ever been, and they are so dangerous that he can't go into detail lest they be persecuted even further. Samaritan's Purse claims that the number of Christians in Iraq have decreased by over 150,000. You would think that a Christian administration would be more careful about guarding what little Light was in the nation of Iraq. Who is the Light of the World anyway? It is Jesus, not American democracy. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We have terribly squandered what could have been a history-changing eight years by caving into hubris and humanism. Proverbs 24:6 speaks of there being victory in the multitude of counsel. This verse is referring to war, and the United States has failed to humbly seek out needed counsel. "Victory" will not follow.