Article 1: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/26/us/methodist-gay-vote/index.html
“ Methodists Strengthen Stance against Gay Marriage and Openly LGBT Clergy ” by Daniel Burke
The article published on CNN by the broadcast’s regional editor Daniel Burke outlines the apparent division between Methodists fellowship due to same-sex marriages. The clergy and churches of United Methodist risk being suspended from the church if they do not confirm their stance against noncelibate LGBT clergy and same-sex unions by 2021. The vote reaffirms the denomination's “Traditional” plan came following a vote where the church voted out the "One Church" proposal. The proposal advocated for local churches to carry out same-sex marriages and elect LGBT clergy, a move that was aimed at uniting the gradually fractious denomination amidst the major diverse perception on the scripture and the ethics behind concerning same-sex relationships.
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Although many delegates are pushing for the Traditional option, it is evident from the article that a lot of the members are of the contrary opinion. According to Rev. Tom Berlin, a virus of conflict is spreading as many clergy members are threatening to leave the domination if the Traditional plan is decided as the way forward. Amidst such proclaims, the United Methodist still voted to push forward the Traditional plan which narrowly passed with a vote of 438 to 384.
Same-sex marriage is considered unethical by religious fraternities. The religious, ethical thinking and scriptures believe that gay couples are unnatural and that the purpose of marriage is sacred and a sacrament (DeFranza et al . 2018). Its primary goal is to procreate naturally between a woman and a man. Besides, there are various biblical references against gay marriage, for instance, Leviticus 20:13 which calls such acts as repulsive (Brannan et al . 2014). Noteworthy, the United Methodists believes that their stance to affirm the Traditional plans resolves a long-lasting debate regarding how the church can best accomplish its mission of transforming the world through making disciples of Jesus Christ. From this statement, the church is opposing same-sex relationship in the church since it does not conform to the scripture.
On the other hand, a statement by Bishop Scott confirms that the denomination's perception on same-sex marriage has not changed and that the church will continue to welcome lesbian, gay bisexual, transgendered, and queer individuals to the church and confirm their sacred worth. These statements contradict the stance of United Methodists regarding LGBTIQ issue. On the one hand, the denomination tolerates LGBTIQ members in the church, but have a problem when individuals from this group are accelerated to the top clergy positions of the church.
Furthermore, members from African countries support the Traditional plan, claiming that it accords with the sexuality teachings in the scripture, while America believes are split between what is right and wrong. This further shows an apparent rift within the denomination. It beats logic that Christianity is performed differently in Africa and America yet it is all a similar church. Notwithstanding the fact stated in the scriptures regarding same-sex marriage, Methodists should avoid creating a rift among churches and members and decide on what they believe is wrong and what is right, instead of holding certain beliefs and condoning certain beliefs.
The issue on gay civil rights, particularly marriage, is a moral issue that cannot just be whisked away, despite many religious conversations to wish it would. I chose this article to show emerging religious divides and ethical issues regarding same-sex marriage.
Article 2: https://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/21/world/europe/england-female-genital-mutilation-fgm-report/index.html
“ Study: Risk of Female Genital Mutilation in England, Wales is higher than thought ” by Richard Allen Greene
The CNN article by Richard Greene reflects on a study on the sins of female genital mutilation among young girls in England and Wales. It starts with a sad and emotional narration of a young girl from Somalia who underwent forced genital mutilation, narrating to counselors of Britain’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. FGM is a form of female circumcision ritual that involves the cutting of all or some of the external female genitalia. This sickening ritual is prevalent in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia and is carried out on girls or women within certain communities who still hold on to the tradition. New revelations from the article indicate that FGM is part of a much mightier issue facing England and Wales, with an at least one case reported to the police or children services every day since the year started.
Besides, new reports have established that the number of women affected or at extreme risk of FGM has now doubled in Wales and England than previously thought. Approximately a staggering 137,000 women and children are at risk or are affected by the phenomenon. The study is based on an emerging examination of the UK census data in 2011, in a quest to establish the number of girls and women who have come into the country from nations where genitalia mutilation among females is a common practice.
The articles prove that there has been a significant upsurge of FGM among women and girls in England for the past decade. Noteworthy, FGM practice is anchored in a complex socio-cultural context and has become significant at the interface of social services and access to health in the host countries. This practice has also raised major ethical concerns globally as it is viewed as a form of gender-based violence among women and girls (Brannan et al . 2014). FGM usually results in dire health and psychological consequences among girls and women. Regardless, this practice is still a culturally rooted tradition with increased ethical and culturally sensitive health and social provision.
Consequently, the British are continuously trying to tackle the issue. It has given guidelines to hospitals and schools ordering them to be on the watch out for FGM signs among female students. Noteworthy, a third of the total callers to the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children helpline called expressing their worries regarding young girls being taken to Somalia and Nigeria. Most of these calls came from health care workers and teachers.
Despite England and Wales, as well as other nations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia illegalizing this heinous practice, people still find a way to push on with the method secretly. Because of the need to conceal the act, mutilation is usually carried out by people who do not have formal medical knowledge. Besides, they perform the procedure without the use of anesthetics and use crude instruments such as scissors, knives, and blades (Brannan et al . 2014). Noteworthy, ethnic groups are mostly pioneering this practice as opposed to nations and religion and justify the act with excuses such as controlling or reducing sexual desire among the unmarried girls to avoid immoral behaviors.
I specifically choose this article because the issue of FGM affects children the most. I am passionate about children and condemn any form of violence administered against them since they are the future of the forthcoming generation. I support that useless tradition like FGM should be entirely abolished before it destroys the lives of many female children.
Article 3: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-to-make-texas-bishops-release-abortion-communications-58653
“ Supreme Court Rejects Appeal to Make Texas Bishops Release Abortion Communications ”
The article posted in the Catholic News Agency website follows a court appeal rejection in the case between Whole Woman’s Health v. Texas Catholic Conference et al., where the appellant wanted the Catholic clergy to hand to them all their internal communications that relate to abortion. The abortion provider stumbled upon yet another setback in its quest to coerce a significant disclosure of internal documents held by the Texas church. This move followed the move by the Catholic Bishops to support the move which necessitated cremation or burial for all aborted fetuses as opposed to being dumped in landfills and sewers, and they also went ahead and provided burial sites for the aborted fetus for free. According to the clergy members, the ruling by the Supreme Court was a vindication of religious freedom rights. Besides, it protected secret religious communications from the selfish expedition by the Whole Woman’s Health who wanted to be given access to this critical ministry information.
There are numerous ethical and moral issues which usually arise regarding abortion and unplanned pregnancies. People share different opinions regarding abortion. Some hold that abortion is always wrong, while others think that abortion is acceptable only when the unborn baby presents significant risks to the life of the mother. Some people believe that there is a wide range of circumstances that abortion can be morally accepted (Fletcher 2011). Although people might hold certain perceptions regarding abortion, their attitude can easily change especially when the ideas become a reality. For instance, women who think that they would effortlessly choose abortion before getting pregnant might feel that this decision is not right for them when they are pregnant even when having an abortion would be the best option for them. Besides, those who firmly believe that abortion is unethical may experience an unplanned pregnancy, and after assessing the options, they might feel that it is more immoral to give birth due to social circumstances (Brannan et al . 2014).
The group that strongly hold that abortion should not be considered at any circumstance mainly consists of religious people who follow the teachings of the scriptures on abortion. Noteworthy, people who have this belief presents only about 5 percent of the population (Fletcher 2011). The Texas Catholic Bishops in the article shares these beliefs. On the contrary, the Whole Woman’s Health believes in abortion for women whose lives are at risk and for individuals who have had an unplanned pregnancy and are not willing to have a baby yet. They believe that all women should be able to decide whether or not to abort instead of being forced to keep a pregnancy which may affect or change their lives forever. And in their quest to push for these beliefs, the abortion providers sought for the publication of religious communications regarding abortions. Access to such information will enable them to prepare better for the debate supporting the rights to abort.
The world has been through a long-standing debate on the moral right to terminate a pregnancy prior to the normal childbirth. I chose this article because I believe that an unborn fetus counts as life and should not be terminated unless the life of the mother is at risk. Otherwise, if there is no life is at risk, the abortion should be abolished because of the right to decide on who lives and who does not should be left to God, who is the provider of life.
References
Brannan, S., Campbell, R., Davies, M., English, V., Mussell, R., & Sheather, J. C. (2014). Ethics briefing.
DeFranza, M. K., Arel, S. N., & Stockly, K. (2018). Sex on the margins: centering intersex, transgender, and sexually fluid voices in religious and scientific discourse.
Fletcher, J. C. (2011). The fetus as patient: ethical issues. JAMA , 246 (7), 772-773.
