San Francisco Wants to Ban Circumcision

CAUTION, ADULT CONTENT.
Health and Science for Sunday 111410

Hey folks,

This is too much. It is completely ridiculous. This is also COMPLETELY Anti-Semitic. I'll explain that in a second. This will not see the light of day, but it is interesting to see. I hope it DOES go on the Ballot. No. I do. But then again, even if it does, and the People Vote it down, we are still talking California. Which means some Liberal Idiot Judge could come in and Override them. But still.

What I'm talking about is this. According to CBS News - Circumcision Ban May End Up on S.F. Ballot

CBS) The city that will soon outlaw toys in McDonald’s Happy Meals could have a measure banning circumcision on next November’s ballot, reports CBS San Francisco.

“It’s genital mutilation,” said Lloyd Schofield, the author of a San Francisco ballot measure that would make it a “misdemeanor to circumcise, excise, cut or mutilate the…genitals” of a person under 18.

Well, here is our Idiot of the Week folks. Lloyd Schofield,who tells us his REAL reason behind this in just a second, and I will explain it then. But this Moron, ACTUALLY believes that Circumcision should be a CRIME. Talk about Government controlling your lives. Religious Rights be Damned.

Baby boys in San Francisco may be relieved but not everybody agrees with a proposed ban.

“I just had him circumcised 3 weeks ago,” said Heather Wisnicky of Sacramento, mother of Tyler, a 6-week-old baby boy. “It’s a health issue. It’s cleaner,” she said.

She is RIGHT. It IS. Now I know that there is a debate out there. But the FACTS are this. Problems with the Penis, such as irritation, can occur with or without circumcision. Yet they are FAR more likely to occur in Uncircumcised. It is true that with proper care, there is no difference in hygiene. Yet there are still higher risks with Uncircumcised. There may or may not be differences in sexual sensation in adult men. Some say more, some say less. Most say that the Circumcised Penis is MORE sensitive for obvious reasons. There is an increased risk for a UTI in Uncircumcised Males, especially babies under 1 year. When you Circumcise Newborns, you provide some protection from Penile Cancer, which only occurs in the Foreskin. According to this article, the debate rages on.

Scientists with the Centers for Disease Control are still studying whether circumcisions are healthier, and have promised recommendations to the public. Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, a CDC researcher reported a sharp drop in the number of American parents choosing circumcision in hospitals - from 56 percent in 2006 to less than 33 percent last year.

Now I have no idea where THIS number came from. EVERYWHERE I look I see around 65 percent of ALL Males are Circumcised. So I'm not sure where 33 percent came from.

“Most medical groups have not come out with strong opinions regarding pro or con circumcisions,” said CBS 5 medical reporter Dr. Kim Mulvihill. “Most are saying leave it up to the families, let them decide what’s right for their son.”

“Ah, that’s a little much,” said Earl Phillips of San Francisco about the proposed ban. “That goes a little bit too far.”

Amen. Government also has no right to tell McDonald's that they can not put Toys in their Kid's Meals. If I was McDonald's, I would put out of California. But then again, that's a whole other issue. Back to our Idiot.

“You shouldn’t be performing cosmetic surgery for other people,” said Schofield, who points out that female circumcision is banned, but was covered by Blue Cross insurance in the United States into the 1970s.

Then I'm guessing he is against Abortion? I mean, you really shouldn't be choosing life or death for someone else either. Right?

“It’s your choice, it’s your child…government can’t rule us on everything we do,” said Wisnicky, the Sacramento mother.

Amen. However? HERE IS THE REAL REASON...

“Tattooing a child is banned as a felony and circumcision is more harmful than a tattoo,” said Schofield, who believes religious traditions should change.

“People can practice whatever religion they want, but your religious practice ends with someone else’s body,” said Schofield. “It’s a man’s body and…his body doesn’t belong to his culture, his government, his religion or even his parents. It’s his decision.”

THERE it is folks. This is completely Anti-Semitic. Where did Circumcision start? That's right. The first five books of Hebrew Bible (Torah) compiled, including Genesis has references to Yaweh’s {God} command to Abraham to Circumcise himself, his Sons and his Slaves and Servants. Circumcision has been enforced by Priests among Jewish people as sign of the Covenant. Now this Moron wants to make it a Crime?

Look. It may have started in the Jewish Religion. Some say it started much earlier than that, but it have evolved into Christian, and many other Religions. It has also become more and more mainstream for the SHEAR Medical Benefits of it. But that one statement shows EXACTLY why our Idiot is on this quest.

“People can practice whatever religion they want, but your religious practice ends with someone else’s body,”

Now he needs to collect more than 7,100 signatures, and there is no word on how many he has gotten so far. I'm pretty confident that he will not get them. But like I said. It IS California. So who knows.

Having said all that, let me say this. Leave Religion out of it. Lets just talk about Government Intrusion. Can you get more personal and Private than THIS? I doubt it. The Government should have NO say in this. Not to mention, you really CAN'T separate the Religious aspect. Therefore it is PROTECTED under the First Amendment. It really IS just that simple. I am. Joshua is. And when Eli is born, he will be as well. Regardless of what Mr. Schofield thinks.
Peter

Sources:
CBS News - Circumcision Ban May End Up on S.F. Ballot

What Happened To The "Separation Of Church And State?"

Hey folks,

THIS really disturbs me. This time it's a Republican. Now some of you are well aware of where I stand with organized Religion. I'm not a big fan. Some of you also may remember a few years back, I did a couple of stories on how I truly feel that anytime someone get's on TV, with a mic in one hand and the Bible in the other, and spends the whole time asking for money, it gives Faith, God, and the whole concept of "Religion" a bad name. But THIS? According to the AP - Grassley probes televangelists' finances By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS, Associated Press Writer Wed Nov 7, 2:00 AM ET

Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he's investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar and one of the nation's best known female preachers, Joyce Meyer.

I know all of these people.

Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.

When did it become Government who controls ANY Private industry? I do not agree with some of their practices, no doubt about that. I also think that some of them should spend MORE money on those in need and less on themselves, and THOSE, I have never given anything to. Those that DO give to them, do so willingly, and do not need Government telling them what to do with their money.

In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.

"The allegations involve governing boards that aren't independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces," Grassley said.

So?

"I don't want to conclude that there's a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code."

THAT IS what it's all about. Not you. Taxes.

Those ministries that responded Tuesday either said they were cooperating or committed to financial transparency and following the law.

The investigation promises to shine new light on the kind of TV ministries that were crippled by sex and money scandals in the 1980s. Experts also say it stands out as an unusual case of the government probing the inner workings of religious organizations.

Which is un-Constitutional to say the least.

Most of those under investigation preach a variation of the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches.

Yeah, I get that. I DO believe that if you give, it will be given onto you, running over. That is a Spiritual Law, and Biblical. It works, I have seen it in my life over and over again. But I understand that some DO abuse that teaching for their own gain.

Grassley's letters went to:

• Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about the transfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to the group, and a "personal gift" of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry's 40th anniversary.

A Copeland spokeswoman released a statement saying the ministry is working on a response to Grassley's letter, follows all laws and best practices governing churches and religious nonprofit groups, and "will continue to do so."

• Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley's letter asks for records on private planes, board makeup, compensation and donations and "love offerings" to visiting ministers. In a statement, Dollar called his ministry an "open book" and said he would cooperate. He also questioned whether the investigation could "affect the privacy of every community church in America."

• Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and "layover trips" while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.

Benny Hinn has been on someone,s hit list for years. 20/20, 48 Hours ETC.

• Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estate transaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization. Long plans to fully comply with the Senate's request, and his church has "several safeguards" to ensure transactions comply with laws governing churches, according to a statement from Long's spokesman.

• Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 "commode with marble top."

The ministry's lawyer released a statement describing the ministry's work and public release of several years' worth of audits. He also said the IRS found in October that the group continues to qualify for tax-exempt status.

• Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas, Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery and the reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist. An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Jakes was not immediately returned.

In a statement, Randy and Paula White declined to comment on specifics, saying they needed time to review the letter with their lawyers. But the Whites called the Grassley letter "unusual, since the IRS has separate powers to investigate religious organizations if they think it's necessary."

Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar all sit on the board of regents for Oral Roberts University, which is mired in a financial scandal of its own.

The Senate Finance Committee has chided secular nonprofits for governance and compensation problems in the past, but this level of scrutiny for what are basically "non-pulpit churches" is unprecedented, said Ken Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Because the groups have tax status as churches, they are not required to file tax forms open to public inspection.

Look folks, it really is simple. If you do not believe that the Preacher on your TV is doing the right thing, DO NOT GIVE TO THEM!!!! Your tithe and offerings will and can go a lot further if you take it, say $50.00, and go buy food for the homeless in your home town. YOU have just Tithed. YOU have just given your offerings to God, without having to worry about where it went. YOU get to see it.

I know some that give to Food Pantries. Others help out poor in their communities in other ways. You ARE giving this way as well. A "Church" is the people in it, not the building. When you give, give of a cheerful heart. Trust me, you will not believe the rewards.

However, let's just say, all these people ARE abusing the donations given them, it is NOT the place of Government to get involved in it. This is a move to STEAL money from YOU. They are attempting to find a way to tax Faith. All in the name of helping YOU. The ignorant Christians, notice they are all Christians, that give your money to someone in mass amount, more than you give the Government. To some, THAT just can not be allowed.

This is just down right dangerous. If we allow Government to control the finances of major Religions, YOU are next. This just can not be allowed to happen. I hope that these Ministries fight this with everything they got. Your next, if this works.
Peter