The Intelligent Design theory of life on Earth has been labeled a “science-stopper” by some who believe in a purely naturalistic evolutionary beginning and development of living organisms. The assertion accuses ID theorists of invoking a supernatural cause to natural processes that are not well understood. Is that true? Ardent atheist Richard Dawkins, wrote in his influential 1976 book The Selfish Gene, that non-coding DNA functioned like a “parasite” within the genome. In the evolutionary process, these useless segments of the genome remained after fulfilling their function, raising the question, according to Dawkins, of why a creator would insert worthless code into a genome. Even Francis Crick, Nobel Prize winner and co-founder of the double helical structure of DNA, in 1980, dismissed most of the genome as “little better than junk”. He continued by predicting that it would be “folly” for scientific researchers to “hunt obsessively” for function for many sections of DNA. [1]
Beginning in 2003, the National Human Genome Research Institute initiated an ambitious project named ENCODE, the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, with the goal of identifying functional elements in the human genome sequence. The ENCODE project continued where the Human Genome Project left off. The first phase concluded in 2007 and the results of the second phase were released on September 15, 2012 in the form at least 30 papers published in several scientific journals (Nature, Genome Biology, and Genome Research). After $185 million, research by 32 groups involving more than 440 scientists, the consortium has discovered function for roughly 80% of the genome, including more than 70,000 “promoter” regions where proteins bind to control gene expression. They have also identified almost 400,000 “enhancer” regions which regulate expression of distant genes. [2] Researchers mapped more than 4 million regulatory regions where proteins interact with DNA. They performed more than 1,600 sets of experiments, using state of the art DNA sequencing technologies, generated more than 15 trillion bytes of raw data and consumed the equivalent of more than 300 years of computer time for analysis. [3]
The researchers found that, though only a small amount of genome directly manufactures messenger RNA for protein-coding, much of the DNA becomes transcribed into non-coding RNA molecules, some of which regulate gene expression. This critical function can operate to turn on or turn off certain portions of the genome. In the past, these segments were often called DNA deserts or “junk DNA”, because they did not appear to have any useful function. In 2000, when the Human Genome Project presented its first rough draft of the sequence of bases, the initial results seemed to confirm evolutionary theory that perhaps 97 percent of the 3.2 billion bases had no apparent function. About 1.2% of the genome bases were found to be involved in protein-coding, which was somewhat expected. However, the ENCODE project found about 8-9% of the bases were involved in regulation. According to computational biologist and project manager Ewan Birney, “One can use the ENCODE data and come up with a number between 9 and 80 percent” attributable to functional significance. [4] It could take decades to fully analyze and comprehend the raw data, but results at this time clearly indicate that vast portions of DNA previously considered to be useless are indeed useful.
Eric D. Green, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) stated: “"During the early debates about the Human Genome Project, researchers had predicted that only a few percent of the human genome sequence encoded proteins, the workhorses of the cell, and that the rest was junk. We now know that this conclusion was wrong." [3] While naturalistic Darwinian theorists essentially considered these regions to be the molecular equivalent of a human appendix – useless leftovers from our evolutionary past – intelligent design proponents asserted that function could be discovered for most or all of these. So, which theory would have been considered more of a science-stopper just a few years ago? Rather than an alleged God-of-the-gaps, “junk DNA” could logically be considered evolution-of-the-gaps reasoning.
Biochemist Dr. Fazale Rana notes that “researchers are uncovering more and more examples of the functional importance of junk DNA. In light of this ongoing advance, it is becoming harder and harder to maintain that genomes are riddled with useless evolutionary vestiges.” [5] Even more intriguing, the methods of data organization within DNA are uncannily similar to those utilized in digital data storage by humans today. Stephen C. Meyer, PhD, University of Cambridge, noted that the hierarchical layering within the genome allow for vast amounts of data storage: “The functions they perform are so strikingly similar to functions that we’ve designed to solve similar information and storage problems in high tech digital computers.” [6]
Rather than applying the brakes to scientific discovery – a common accusation - belief in God and Christianity in particular was the impetus for the greatest expansion of knowledge and discovery throughout much of history. Of the major world religions, Christianity is based on reason, giving rise to exploration of logical physical laws of the universe and a rational creator. A very short list of scientists who have made critical discoveries while holding to a strong Christian faith were: Johannes Kepler (laws of planetary motion), Isaac Newton (mathematics), Nicholas Copernicus (astronomy), Francis Bacon (experimentation and inductive reasoning), Robert Boyle (gas laws), Michael Faraday (electricity and magnetism), William Kelvin (modern physics), Max Planck (quantum theory), and Gregor Mendel (mathematical foundations of genetics). Some additional 20th century Nobel prize winners in the sciences with a strong faith in God include: Werner Heisenberg, Erwin Schroedinger, Gugleilmo Marconi, and Arno Penzias. [7]
The discovery of function in regions of the human genome that were previously thought to be useless leftovers from our evolutionary past further illustrates the fact that belief in an intelligent creator is not a science-stopper; on the contrary, it provides the philosophical impetus to uncover the intricacies of the creation. Other examples could be cited, such as the big bang theory. Prior to Georges LeMaitre and Albert Einstein’s discoveries that the universe is indeed expanding, the prevailing understanding of the cosmos was that of a steady state, with no discernible beginning. That would have been more of a science-stopper than belief in the Bible, which states the universe had a beginning. Astrophysics caught up with the Bible and now we are witnessing the same phenomenon on the level of molecular biology.
[1] Francis Crick, quoted by Daniel James Devine, “Debunking Junk”, World magazine, 6 Oct 2012.
[2] Brendan Maher, “ENCODE: The human encyclopaedia”, Nature, Vol. 489, Issue 7414, 5 Sept 2012.
[3] NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute. “First holistic view of how human genome actually works: ENCODE study produces massive data set.” ScienceDaily, 5 Sep. 2012, Web 28 Dec. 2012.
[4] Stephen S. Hall, “Hidden Treasures in Junk DNA”, Scientific American, 8 Sept 2012.
[5] Fazale Rana, “Gene deserts take the life out of evolution’s best argument”, Reasons to Believe, 6 Apr 2011.
[6] Stephen C. Meyer, quoted by Daniel James Devine, “Debunking Junk”, World magazine, 6 Oct 2012.
[7] Tihomir Dimitrov, “50 Nobel Laureates and Other Great Scientists Who Believe in God, 2007.
Daniel James Devine, “Debunking Junk”, World magazine, 6 Oct 2012.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Why the papyrus fragment does not prove Jesus had a wife
The papyrus contains four words, written in Coptic, an ancient language used by Egyptian Christians. These translate into English as: “Jesus said to them ‘my wife’”. The words are written on a fragment about three inches by one and a half inches that was provided by a private collector. Karen King, Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, was given the fragment to analyze and translate. She reported the news of the discovery to the 10th International Congress of Coptic Studies.[1] The piece of papyrus is now in the hands of a private collector and nothing is known about the circumstances of its discovery.
If authentic, this papyrus appears to provide some interesting insights into cultural mores of the time. However, there are a number of reasons why it does not prove Jesus Christ was married. First, researchers have little or no context for the message on the fragment. Only a few lines of writing are partially able to be translated. Because there is writing on both sides, it appears to have been part of a book or codex, though at this time, none of the remainder of the codex has been made public, if any more even exists. Other writing on this fragment seems to reference an alleged discussion between Jesus and his disciples in which Jesus twice mentions his mother. It is speculated that an original may have been written in Greek, then translated into Coptic for Egyptian Christians. This is of extremely little evidentiary value on which to base any conclusion. We have no idea from where this fragment came or what was written in the rest of the codex.
Second, even if the fragment is authentic, it is dated to the late second century, about 150 years after the death of Jesus. Initial examination by experts seems to indicate the fragment is probably from this time period, based on the appearance, language and grammar, though additional chemical composition of the ink remains to be completed. In the second century and later, many pseudopigraphal “gospels” were written, such as the Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Judas. None of these were written by the named authors and none were written during the lifetimes of the apostles. These are typical of the Gnostic genre that was prevalent during that time period which were inferior to and frequently contradicted the authentic gospel accounts. The authentic gospel narratives (Matthew, Mark, Luke) were written during the middle of the 1st century or late 1st century in the case of John. These four were accepted by members of the church, many of whom had personally seen Jesus or the apostles and could attest to the narratives.
Dr. Simon Gathercole, Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Cambridge and expert on apocryphal gospels, commented on the fragment. He noted that, in relation to other gospel accounts, the language in the fragment most closely resembles some of that found in the Gospel of Thomas, a pseudopigraphal Gnostic writing. Here are a couple of the comparisons.
Thomas 101:3: My true Mother has given me life.
Fragment line 1: My mother has given me [life].
Thomas 114:1: Simon Peter said to them, “Let Mary come out from us, because women are not worthy of life.”
Fragment line 3: Mary is worthy of it. [2]
Third, reliable writings from the first century, which followed very soon after the life of Jesus, provide numerous details of his life, with no mention of a wife. These include the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) as well as writings of Peter, James and John, who had lived with Jesus. Furthermore, Paul’s 13 letters are well-authenticated to have been written prior to his death by A.D. 64 and these mention nothing of Jesus being married. In fact, Paul specifically mentions wives of the apostles when writing to the Corinthians around A.D. 54:
“Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” (1 Cor. 9:5)
If the apostles, such as Peter (Cephas) were cited as examples of those with wives, would it not have been significantly more impactful to mention the Lord’s wife, if he had one? And, it would seem to be contrary to Jesus’ character to marry when he knew he would be dying and returning to the Father at an early age, leaving behind a young widow.
Fourth, even the scholar who found the artifact cautions that it has not been verified as authentic. When asked if she has doubts regarding the authenticity of the fragment, Karen King told Time magazine: “Oh, yes, absolutely. I think something like this needs to be questioned further. “ [3]
Even liberal New Testament scholar John Dominic Crossan, who doubts the resurrection, has no doubts about Jesus being single. Using an avian analogy, he stated: “There is no evidence that Jesus was married (looks like a duck), multiple indications that he was not (walks like a duck), and no early texts suggesting wife or children (quacks like a duck), … so he must be an incognito bridegroom (camel in disguise).” [4]
Finally, regarding the fragment in question, Dr. Karen King wrote:
“It does not, however, provide evidence that the historical Jesus was married, given the late date of the fragment and the probable date of original composition only in the second half of the second century.” [5]
[1] Harvard Divinity School, “Jesus’s wife? Scholar announces existence of anew early Christian gospel from Egypt.” ScienceDaily, 18 Sept 2012. Web. 25 Sep. 2012.
[2] Simon Gathercole, “Did Jesus have a wife?” Tyndale House Residential Centre for Biblical Research, accessed 30 Sept 2012.
[3] Stephan Faris, “An Interview with the Discoverer of ‘Jesus’ Wife’”, Time World, 25 Sept 2012.
[4] Darrell L. Bock, Breaking the DaVinci Code, (Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2004), 31-32.
[5] Karen L. King, “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife…’” A New Coptic Gospel Papyrus, Forthcoming Harvard Theological Review 106:1, January 2013, p. 1.
If authentic, this papyrus appears to provide some interesting insights into cultural mores of the time. However, there are a number of reasons why it does not prove Jesus Christ was married. First, researchers have little or no context for the message on the fragment. Only a few lines of writing are partially able to be translated. Because there is writing on both sides, it appears to have been part of a book or codex, though at this time, none of the remainder of the codex has been made public, if any more even exists. Other writing on this fragment seems to reference an alleged discussion between Jesus and his disciples in which Jesus twice mentions his mother. It is speculated that an original may have been written in Greek, then translated into Coptic for Egyptian Christians. This is of extremely little evidentiary value on which to base any conclusion. We have no idea from where this fragment came or what was written in the rest of the codex.
Second, even if the fragment is authentic, it is dated to the late second century, about 150 years after the death of Jesus. Initial examination by experts seems to indicate the fragment is probably from this time period, based on the appearance, language and grammar, though additional chemical composition of the ink remains to be completed. In the second century and later, many pseudopigraphal “gospels” were written, such as the Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Judas. None of these were written by the named authors and none were written during the lifetimes of the apostles. These are typical of the Gnostic genre that was prevalent during that time period which were inferior to and frequently contradicted the authentic gospel accounts. The authentic gospel narratives (Matthew, Mark, Luke) were written during the middle of the 1st century or late 1st century in the case of John. These four were accepted by members of the church, many of whom had personally seen Jesus or the apostles and could attest to the narratives.
Dr. Simon Gathercole, Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Cambridge and expert on apocryphal gospels, commented on the fragment. He noted that, in relation to other gospel accounts, the language in the fragment most closely resembles some of that found in the Gospel of Thomas, a pseudopigraphal Gnostic writing. Here are a couple of the comparisons.
Thomas 101:3: My true Mother has given me life.
Fragment line 1: My mother has given me [life].
Thomas 114:1: Simon Peter said to them, “Let Mary come out from us, because women are not worthy of life.”
Fragment line 3: Mary is worthy of it. [2]
Third, reliable writings from the first century, which followed very soon after the life of Jesus, provide numerous details of his life, with no mention of a wife. These include the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) as well as writings of Peter, James and John, who had lived with Jesus. Furthermore, Paul’s 13 letters are well-authenticated to have been written prior to his death by A.D. 64 and these mention nothing of Jesus being married. In fact, Paul specifically mentions wives of the apostles when writing to the Corinthians around A.D. 54:
“Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” (1 Cor. 9:5)
If the apostles, such as Peter (Cephas) were cited as examples of those with wives, would it not have been significantly more impactful to mention the Lord’s wife, if he had one? And, it would seem to be contrary to Jesus’ character to marry when he knew he would be dying and returning to the Father at an early age, leaving behind a young widow.
Fourth, even the scholar who found the artifact cautions that it has not been verified as authentic. When asked if she has doubts regarding the authenticity of the fragment, Karen King told Time magazine: “Oh, yes, absolutely. I think something like this needs to be questioned further. “ [3]
Even liberal New Testament scholar John Dominic Crossan, who doubts the resurrection, has no doubts about Jesus being single. Using an avian analogy, he stated: “There is no evidence that Jesus was married (looks like a duck), multiple indications that he was not (walks like a duck), and no early texts suggesting wife or children (quacks like a duck), … so he must be an incognito bridegroom (camel in disguise).” [4]
Finally, regarding the fragment in question, Dr. Karen King wrote:
“It does not, however, provide evidence that the historical Jesus was married, given the late date of the fragment and the probable date of original composition only in the second half of the second century.” [5]
[1] Harvard Divinity School, “Jesus’s wife? Scholar announces existence of anew early Christian gospel from Egypt.” ScienceDaily, 18 Sept 2012. Web. 25 Sep. 2012.
[2] Simon Gathercole, “Did Jesus have a wife?” Tyndale House Residential Centre for Biblical Research, accessed 30 Sept 2012.
[3] Stephan Faris, “An Interview with the Discoverer of ‘Jesus’ Wife’”, Time World, 25 Sept 2012.
[4] Darrell L. Bock, Breaking the DaVinci Code, (Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2004), 31-32.
[5] Karen L. King, “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife…’” A New Coptic Gospel Papyrus, Forthcoming Harvard Theological Review 106:1, January 2013, p. 1.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Muslim lawyer in Iran is a hero
At great personal risk and facing a possible nine year prison term, Mohammad Ali Dadkha, a Muslim lawyer in Iran argued in court for the release of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. On Saturday, September 8, the Christian Pastor was released after spending three years in prison for attempting to register a Christian house church and questioning the compulsory Islamic education of his children. In 2010, the pastor was sentenced to death and Iran’s judiciary upheld the sentence in February. [1]
We commend the courageous actions by Dadkha for advancing religious freedom in a society that is not especially tolerant of Christians (or other faiths). The lawyer has previously defended 11 Christians in Anzaly and eight in Shiraz who were arrested for their religious activity. He is one of the few human rights lawyers in Iran who has not yet been imprisoned. Dadkha co-founded Iran's now-banned Center for the Defense of Human Rights along with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. The Christian Post reported that, last month, the lawyer was informed he would be receiving a nine-year sentence for "acting against the national security, spreading propaganda against the regime and keeping banned books at home." [2]
In May 2012, it was reported that Dadkha was under immense pressure to make false television confessions. “Tomorrow is my last day to either make television confessions or go to prison. I will go to prison, and I will not [be forced to] leave my homeland,” he said. “They told me that if I didn’t confess, they would enforce my sentence. They talked to me for long periods of time and I did not accept it. I will say now that if one day I say things, they are not credible and I must have been under conditions where I was forced to say those things. I hope God maintains my power.” [3] We are thankful for Dadkha and hope others will be as courageous as this man for the right of religious freedom.
[1] Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, “Iran releases persecuted Christian Pastor”, 8 Sept. 2012.
[2] Katherine Weber, Christian Post, “Youcef Nadarkhani Is Free, But His Lawyer Still Faces Threat of Imprisonment”, 11 Sept. 2012.
[3] International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, “’Confess on TV or Go to Prison,’ Authorities Tell Dadkhah” 14 May 2012.
We commend the courageous actions by Dadkha for advancing religious freedom in a society that is not especially tolerant of Christians (or other faiths). The lawyer has previously defended 11 Christians in Anzaly and eight in Shiraz who were arrested for their religious activity. He is one of the few human rights lawyers in Iran who has not yet been imprisoned. Dadkha co-founded Iran's now-banned Center for the Defense of Human Rights along with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. The Christian Post reported that, last month, the lawyer was informed he would be receiving a nine-year sentence for "acting against the national security, spreading propaganda against the regime and keeping banned books at home." [2]
In May 2012, it was reported that Dadkha was under immense pressure to make false television confessions. “Tomorrow is my last day to either make television confessions or go to prison. I will go to prison, and I will not [be forced to] leave my homeland,” he said. “They told me that if I didn’t confess, they would enforce my sentence. They talked to me for long periods of time and I did not accept it. I will say now that if one day I say things, they are not credible and I must have been under conditions where I was forced to say those things. I hope God maintains my power.” [3] We are thankful for Dadkha and hope others will be as courageous as this man for the right of religious freedom.
[1] Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, “Iran releases persecuted Christian Pastor”, 8 Sept. 2012.
[2] Katherine Weber, Christian Post, “Youcef Nadarkhani Is Free, But His Lawyer Still Faces Threat of Imprisonment”, 11 Sept. 2012.
[3] International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, “’Confess on TV or Go to Prison,’ Authorities Tell Dadkhah” 14 May 2012.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Bible burning and blasphemy?
Have you heard about the group of angry Christians gathered around the house of a 14-year old Muslim girl with Down’s syndrome, threatening to kill her, burn her house and the houses of other Muslims in the area? And, that this occurred after a neighbor reported the girl was seen burning pages of the Bible. In this region where Christians are in the majority, hundreds of Muslims have fled their homes in fear. About 300 Muslims set up a camp outside of the city, from where they were later ejected and the make-shift mosque they had constructed was burned.
Has anyone seen this story in the news? Of course not, because none of the above happened. Well, not exactly. The story is accurate if we switch the Muslim and Christian references. The truth is that Rimsha Masih, the 14-year old girl with Down’s syndrome was jailed in Islamabad, Pakistan and hundreds of Christians fled their homes in fear. Under Pakistan’s blasphemy law, the girl faces a possible death sentence if found guilty of insulting Islam or the Quran. [1] Christians who fled are without food in many cases, except for some assistance provided by relief organizations. Zahid Pervez, whose house has been looted of its few valuable possessions, said "We'll never go back. We have young children. How can we go back? They won't even let us say our prayers there." A neighbor reported that the girl and her mother were beaten by a mob that formed outside their house.
And yet, in the USA, Christians are labeled as intolerant, bigoted and hateful. In Pakistan, a council of Muslim clerics and scholars, to their credit, joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League - which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions - to call for justice for the girl. [2]
Sunday, in a plot twist, a Muslim cleric was arrested and charged with planting pages of the Quran in the girl’s shopping bag. Her lawyer plans to request a dismissal of the charges, though he still agrees the blasphemy law is a good law. Today, the girl was granted bail – one million rupees, about $10,500 - which was paid by a humanitarian organization. However, she’s not out of the woods yet, as people accused of blasphemy who are not convicted often face vigilante justice. A Pakistani man in this situation in July was dragged from a police station and beaten to death before his body was set on fire. And, two politicians who criticized the blasphemy law were murdered last year. [3]
What is the difference between this response to insult and that which is advocated in the Bible by Jesus and His apostles? Jesus instructed us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). The Apostle Paul stated: “when we are reviled, we bless” (1 Cor. 4:9) and “see that no one repays another with evil for evil” (1 Thess. 5:15). The Bible informs us that those who know God have love for others and “the one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). The Bible instructs believers in Jesus to live in peace with others (Matt. 5:9, Rom. 12:18, 1 Cor. 7:15).
When Bibles are burned, angry mobs of violent Christians do not form, nor should they. All religious beliefs must be tolerated as long as the adherents do not harm others. As followers of Jesus, we denounce any violence or oppression in the name of religion and call for freedom to openly discuss issues of faith, without fear of retribution. Let’s have a civil discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Christians do not hate those who persecute our brothers and sisters; rather, we love and pray for them. Religious beliefs must not be coerced by force, but demonstrated through love and open dialogue.
[1] The NY Daily News India, “Father of Pakistani Christian girl appeals to President Asif Ali Zardari”, 28 Aug 2012.
[2] Saeed Shah in Islamabad, The Guardian, “Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy,” 27 Aug 2012.
[3] Taha Siddiqui, Christian Science Monitor, “As Pakistani Christian girl is granted bail, critics call for blasphemy law reform”, 7 Sept 2012.
Has anyone seen this story in the news? Of course not, because none of the above happened. Well, not exactly. The story is accurate if we switch the Muslim and Christian references. The truth is that Rimsha Masih, the 14-year old girl with Down’s syndrome was jailed in Islamabad, Pakistan and hundreds of Christians fled their homes in fear. Under Pakistan’s blasphemy law, the girl faces a possible death sentence if found guilty of insulting Islam or the Quran. [1] Christians who fled are without food in many cases, except for some assistance provided by relief organizations. Zahid Pervez, whose house has been looted of its few valuable possessions, said "We'll never go back. We have young children. How can we go back? They won't even let us say our prayers there." A neighbor reported that the girl and her mother were beaten by a mob that formed outside their house.
And yet, in the USA, Christians are labeled as intolerant, bigoted and hateful. In Pakistan, a council of Muslim clerics and scholars, to their credit, joined hands with the Pakistan Interfaith League - which includes Christians, Sikhs and other religions - to call for justice for the girl. [2]
Sunday, in a plot twist, a Muslim cleric was arrested and charged with planting pages of the Quran in the girl’s shopping bag. Her lawyer plans to request a dismissal of the charges, though he still agrees the blasphemy law is a good law. Today, the girl was granted bail – one million rupees, about $10,500 - which was paid by a humanitarian organization. However, she’s not out of the woods yet, as people accused of blasphemy who are not convicted often face vigilante justice. A Pakistani man in this situation in July was dragged from a police station and beaten to death before his body was set on fire. And, two politicians who criticized the blasphemy law were murdered last year. [3]
What is the difference between this response to insult and that which is advocated in the Bible by Jesus and His apostles? Jesus instructed us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). The Apostle Paul stated: “when we are reviled, we bless” (1 Cor. 4:9) and “see that no one repays another with evil for evil” (1 Thess. 5:15). The Bible informs us that those who know God have love for others and “the one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). The Bible instructs believers in Jesus to live in peace with others (Matt. 5:9, Rom. 12:18, 1 Cor. 7:15).
When Bibles are burned, angry mobs of violent Christians do not form, nor should they. All religious beliefs must be tolerated as long as the adherents do not harm others. As followers of Jesus, we denounce any violence or oppression in the name of religion and call for freedom to openly discuss issues of faith, without fear of retribution. Let’s have a civil discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Christians do not hate those who persecute our brothers and sisters; rather, we love and pray for them. Religious beliefs must not be coerced by force, but demonstrated through love and open dialogue.
[1] The NY Daily News India, “Father of Pakistani Christian girl appeals to President Asif Ali Zardari”, 28 Aug 2012.
[2] Saeed Shah in Islamabad, The Guardian, “Pakistani Muslim leaders support Christian girl accused of blasphemy,” 27 Aug 2012.
[3] Taha Siddiqui, Christian Science Monitor, “As Pakistani Christian girl is granted bail, critics call for blasphemy law reform”, 7 Sept 2012.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Belief in God leads to brain damage
Yes, that is an actual conclusion of a scientific study conducted at the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Researchers Amy D. Owen, et. al., studied neuroimaging data from MRI measurements to assess the relationship between religious factors and structural neuroanatomy, specifically hippocampus volume in the brain. The hippocampus has been associated with memory consolidation, learning and influencing of emotions via connections with the amygdala. Atrophy of this brain structure later in life has been associated with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and lessened ability to form new memories. The study found that people who reported having a life-changing religious experience showed increased hippocampal atrophy from base line to final assessment among born-again Protestants, Catholics, and those with no religious affiliation.
Participants in the study, conducted between 1994 and 2005, were 268 men and women over the age of 58. Religious factors assessed included frequency of public worship, private activity (prayer, meditation, or Bible study), and religious group membership. Baseline and annual factors assessed included born-again status and life-changing religious experiences. The study found that those who reported a born-again or life-changing religious experience suffered greater hippocampal atrophy during later life. The authors interpreted the findings by hypothesizing that cumulative stress, producing glucocorticoids, led to decreased hippocampus volume.
Some covariates that may impact the results were studied, including social support, self-reported stress and depression. These and other variables require more research in connection with the results found. It is questionable whether this study adequately considered other factors, such as prescription drug use, diet, exercise, non-religious life stressors, mental activity level, and so on. And, is it possible the causal relationship is reversed? Perhaps the self-perceived effects of aging may lead one to sense his or her own mortality, leading one to more diligently seek a religious experience. Causal relationships between brain anatomy and emotional/psychological factors are always tenable at best.
The study speculated that stress may be present for born-again Christians as a result of being a religious minority. However, that conclusion seems unfounded because most of the demographic sample included Southeastern Protestant Christians, hardly an oppressed minority in that part of the USA. The researchers' primary premise seems accurate (though not the secondary conclusion), that stress-induced cortisol in the body can affect the hippocampus, and is supported by other research. In particular, returning Gulf War veterans suffering from chronic PTSD exhibited smaller hippocampal brain regions in MRI exams than a control group. An additional interesting finding is that therapeutic treatment seems to be associated with an increased hippocampal volume after six months, indicating a resilience.[2] Perhaps born again Christians can be treated? The secondary conclusion, that people with a life-changing religious experience suffer more stress, seems irrational, particularly in light of other studies that indicate positive emotional and psychological benefits of religious experiences.
A few points need to be made here. First, if the hypothesis of the researchers is accurate – that increased stress leads to increased glucocorticoids, thereby damaging the hippocampus – would it not seem reasonable that people who have had a life-changing religious experience would experience less stress? Almost by definition, an experience that is life changing would seem to bring more peace and contentment to one’s life. How would a life-changing religious experience lead to more stress? The researchers own hypothesis seems to be contradicted by the results of the study.
Second, since millions – perhaps billions – of people throughout history, across all cultures, claim to have strong religious beliefs, does this study conclude they were also brain-damaged? It is a well-known fact that many people from all races and geographical locations through all of recorded human history have believed in some deity, afterlife, and/or spiritual experience. Not all of these are of the evangelical Christian variety. The bias of this study is striking – the group studied were Christians, not Hindus, Muslims, or Rastafarians. The control group – those supposedly with normal cognitive anatomy – were those with no religious affiliation.
Third, other studies have found there is not necessarily the supposed direct connection with hippocampal size and mental function, such as memory. In the December 22, 2011 issue in the journal Neuron, Dr. Jordan Poppenk, Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute, found some evidence that extensive spatial memory acquisition leads to enlargement of the posterior hippocampus and a decrease in the anterior hippocampus. In other words, there may not be a direct one-to-one relationship between size and memory capabilities. Poppenk stated, "This suggested to us that the crucial predictor of individual differences in recollection ability might not be the overall size of the hippocampus but the separate contributions of the posterior and anterior segments of the hippocampus." [3]
In conclusion, much evidence links religious and spiritual involvement with improved mental health. [4] And, a study conducted of more than 20,000 adults representative of the U. S. population found that an average life expectancy difference of seven years for those who attend church or religious services over those who do not. [5] Perhaps, during those seven years, they were brain damaged as well.
[1] Owen AD, Hayward RD, Koenig HG, Steffens DC, Payne ME (2011) Religious Factors and Hippocampal Atrophy in Late Life. PLoS ONE 6(3): e17006.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017006.
[2] Brigitte A. Apfel, Jessica Ross, Jennifer Hlavin, Dieter J. Meyerhoff, Thomas J. Metzler, Charles R. Marmar, Michael W. Weiner, Norbert Schuff, Thomas C. Neylan.Hippocampal Volume Differences in Gulf War Veterans with Current Versus Lifetime Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. Biological Psychiatry, 2011; 69 (6): 541 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.044
[3] Cell Press, “Gauging individual human memory from scans of brain’s hippocampus?” ScienceDaily, 20 Jan 2012, Web 22 Jul 2012.
[4] Raymond F. Paloutzian, et. al., Handbook Of The Psychology Of Religion And Spirituality, (New York, NY: The Guilford Press, 2005), 446.
[5] Robert A. Hummer, et. al., “Factors Affecting Mortality”, Demography, Volume 36, Number 2 (1999), 273-285, DOI: 10.2307/2648114.
Participants in the study, conducted between 1994 and 2005, were 268 men and women over the age of 58. Religious factors assessed included frequency of public worship, private activity (prayer, meditation, or Bible study), and religious group membership. Baseline and annual factors assessed included born-again status and life-changing religious experiences. The study found that those who reported a born-again or life-changing religious experience suffered greater hippocampal atrophy during later life. The authors interpreted the findings by hypothesizing that cumulative stress, producing glucocorticoids, led to decreased hippocampus volume.
Some covariates that may impact the results were studied, including social support, self-reported stress and depression. These and other variables require more research in connection with the results found. It is questionable whether this study adequately considered other factors, such as prescription drug use, diet, exercise, non-religious life stressors, mental activity level, and so on. And, is it possible the causal relationship is reversed? Perhaps the self-perceived effects of aging may lead one to sense his or her own mortality, leading one to more diligently seek a religious experience. Causal relationships between brain anatomy and emotional/psychological factors are always tenable at best.
The study speculated that stress may be present for born-again Christians as a result of being a religious minority. However, that conclusion seems unfounded because most of the demographic sample included Southeastern Protestant Christians, hardly an oppressed minority in that part of the USA. The researchers' primary premise seems accurate (though not the secondary conclusion), that stress-induced cortisol in the body can affect the hippocampus, and is supported by other research. In particular, returning Gulf War veterans suffering from chronic PTSD exhibited smaller hippocampal brain regions in MRI exams than a control group. An additional interesting finding is that therapeutic treatment seems to be associated with an increased hippocampal volume after six months, indicating a resilience.[2] Perhaps born again Christians can be treated? The secondary conclusion, that people with a life-changing religious experience suffer more stress, seems irrational, particularly in light of other studies that indicate positive emotional and psychological benefits of religious experiences.
A few points need to be made here. First, if the hypothesis of the researchers is accurate – that increased stress leads to increased glucocorticoids, thereby damaging the hippocampus – would it not seem reasonable that people who have had a life-changing religious experience would experience less stress? Almost by definition, an experience that is life changing would seem to bring more peace and contentment to one’s life. How would a life-changing religious experience lead to more stress? The researchers own hypothesis seems to be contradicted by the results of the study.
Second, since millions – perhaps billions – of people throughout history, across all cultures, claim to have strong religious beliefs, does this study conclude they were also brain-damaged? It is a well-known fact that many people from all races and geographical locations through all of recorded human history have believed in some deity, afterlife, and/or spiritual experience. Not all of these are of the evangelical Christian variety. The bias of this study is striking – the group studied were Christians, not Hindus, Muslims, or Rastafarians. The control group – those supposedly with normal cognitive anatomy – were those with no religious affiliation.
Third, other studies have found there is not necessarily the supposed direct connection with hippocampal size and mental function, such as memory. In the December 22, 2011 issue in the journal Neuron, Dr. Jordan Poppenk, Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute, found some evidence that extensive spatial memory acquisition leads to enlargement of the posterior hippocampus and a decrease in the anterior hippocampus. In other words, there may not be a direct one-to-one relationship between size and memory capabilities. Poppenk stated, "This suggested to us that the crucial predictor of individual differences in recollection ability might not be the overall size of the hippocampus but the separate contributions of the posterior and anterior segments of the hippocampus." [3]
In conclusion, much evidence links religious and spiritual involvement with improved mental health. [4] And, a study conducted of more than 20,000 adults representative of the U. S. population found that an average life expectancy difference of seven years for those who attend church or religious services over those who do not. [5] Perhaps, during those seven years, they were brain damaged as well.
[1] Owen AD, Hayward RD, Koenig HG, Steffens DC, Payne ME (2011) Religious Factors and Hippocampal Atrophy in Late Life. PLoS ONE 6(3): e17006.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017006.
[2] Brigitte A. Apfel, Jessica Ross, Jennifer Hlavin, Dieter J. Meyerhoff, Thomas J. Metzler, Charles R. Marmar, Michael W. Weiner, Norbert Schuff, Thomas C. Neylan.Hippocampal Volume Differences in Gulf War Veterans with Current Versus Lifetime Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. Biological Psychiatry, 2011; 69 (6): 541 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.044
[3] Cell Press, “Gauging individual human memory from scans of brain’s hippocampus?” ScienceDaily, 20 Jan 2012, Web 22 Jul 2012.
[4] Raymond F. Paloutzian, et. al., Handbook Of The Psychology Of Religion And Spirituality, (New York, NY: The Guilford Press, 2005), 446.
[5] Robert A. Hummer, et. al., “Factors Affecting Mortality”, Demography, Volume 36, Number 2 (1999), 273-285, DOI: 10.2307/2648114.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
IAG-BB3, Pool of Siloam
(Information about God – Brief Byte 3)
Historical accuracy of the Bible is unparalleled among major world religions. One example involves the Apostle John’s report that Jesus put clay on the eyes of a blind man and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. When the man did, he was healed and could see (John 9:1-6). The pool is also mentioned in Nehemiah 3:15 and Isaiah 8:6, referred to as the “Pool of Shelah”. In 2004, conclusive evidence for the pool was discovered by archaeologists Eli Shukrun and Ronny Reich during excavation for a drainage pipe. Several steps were also discovered, perhaps the same ones used by the blind man. The pool was fed by the Gihon Spring. Archaeologists found coins that dated from the biblical era with ancient Jewish writing, with pottery shards and a stone bottle cork, all of which helped to confirm this is the location of the Siloam Pool, according to a report by MSNBC. This discovery, while not proving the healing by Jesus, does provide another in a long list of discoveries which confirm the historical accuracy of the Bible.
Historical accuracy of the Bible is unparalleled among major world religions. One example involves the Apostle John’s report that Jesus put clay on the eyes of a blind man and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. When the man did, he was healed and could see (John 9:1-6). The pool is also mentioned in Nehemiah 3:15 and Isaiah 8:6, referred to as the “Pool of Shelah”. In 2004, conclusive evidence for the pool was discovered by archaeologists Eli Shukrun and Ronny Reich during excavation for a drainage pipe. Several steps were also discovered, perhaps the same ones used by the blind man. The pool was fed by the Gihon Spring. Archaeologists found coins that dated from the biblical era with ancient Jewish writing, with pottery shards and a stone bottle cork, all of which helped to confirm this is the location of the Siloam Pool, according to a report by MSNBC. This discovery, while not proving the healing by Jesus, does provide another in a long list of discoveries which confirm the historical accuracy of the Bible.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
IAG-BB2, Intelligence produces information
IAG-BB2
Information about God – Brief Byte 2
(Everyone’s busy, so this is very short, but informational.)
Critics charge that Christians employ a “God of the gaps” rational to account for biological systems that are not yet explained. Invoking an intelligent designer when an evolutionary process has not yet been discovered is labeled as anti-scientific. But that’s not true, particularly regarding information in the cell. The complex specified information encoded in the DNA of every cell can be explained. All causal information of this type is produced by an intelligent mind. This includes words in a book, radio signals, hieroglyphics and computer programming language. The data encoded in DNA is not only highly complex, comprised of three billion base pairs (in humans), but is also purposeful. The DNA molecule contains the blueprint design specifications for all of the biological systems in an organism. “Whenever we find specified information and we know the causal story of how that information arose, we always find that it arose from an intelligent source. It follows that the best, most causally adequate explanation for the origin of the specified, digitally encoded information in DNA is that it too had an intelligent source” (Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the Cell, p. 347).
Information about God – Brief Byte 2
(Everyone’s busy, so this is very short, but informational.)
Critics charge that Christians employ a “God of the gaps” rational to account for biological systems that are not yet explained. Invoking an intelligent designer when an evolutionary process has not yet been discovered is labeled as anti-scientific. But that’s not true, particularly regarding information in the cell. The complex specified information encoded in the DNA of every cell can be explained. All causal information of this type is produced by an intelligent mind. This includes words in a book, radio signals, hieroglyphics and computer programming language. The data encoded in DNA is not only highly complex, comprised of three billion base pairs (in humans), but is also purposeful. The DNA molecule contains the blueprint design specifications for all of the biological systems in an organism. “Whenever we find specified information and we know the causal story of how that information arose, we always find that it arose from an intelligent source. It follows that the best, most causally adequate explanation for the origin of the specified, digitally encoded information in DNA is that it too had an intelligent source” (Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the Cell, p. 347).
Friday, June 15, 2012
IAG-BB1, Five key facts
IAG-BB1
(Information about God – Brief Byte 1)
Everyone’s busy, so this is very short, but informational.
Five key facts
Can we believe the gospel accounts of Jesus? Critics and liberal theologians question the authenticity of much of Jesus’ life and the New Testament. However, there are five key facts concerning Christ that even the most liberal Bible scholars accept:
1. Jesus was killed by crucifixion
2. Jesus’ disciples believed that he rose and appeared to them
3. The conversion of the church persecutor Saul
4. The conversion of the skeptic James, Jesus’ half-brother
5. Jesus’ tomb was empty
Even New Testament critics and extreme liberals such as John Dominic Crossan, Gerd Ludemann and Bart Ehrman accept that Jesus was killed by crucifixion, for instance. So, there is consensus, even with skeptics, regarding some key points in the gospel accounts. (As told by Michael Licona, Ph.D. New Testament Studies, to Lee Stroebel in The Case for the Real Jesus.)
(Information about God – Brief Byte 1)
Everyone’s busy, so this is very short, but informational.
Five key facts
Can we believe the gospel accounts of Jesus? Critics and liberal theologians question the authenticity of much of Jesus’ life and the New Testament. However, there are five key facts concerning Christ that even the most liberal Bible scholars accept:
1. Jesus was killed by crucifixion
2. Jesus’ disciples believed that he rose and appeared to them
3. The conversion of the church persecutor Saul
4. The conversion of the skeptic James, Jesus’ half-brother
5. Jesus’ tomb was empty
Even New Testament critics and extreme liberals such as John Dominic Crossan, Gerd Ludemann and Bart Ehrman accept that Jesus was killed by crucifixion, for instance. So, there is consensus, even with skeptics, regarding some key points in the gospel accounts. (As told by Michael Licona, Ph.D. New Testament Studies, to Lee Stroebel in The Case for the Real Jesus.)
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Secret ingredient in correlation between religiosity and life satisfaction
It has long been known that people who are religious are more satisfied with their lives. Believers can personally attest to the peace and joy that comes from knowing God's presence. However, one key measurable reason for this positive correlation between life satisfaction and religiosity has not previously been determined in scientific studies – perhaps until now. To set this up, we should ask: How many people have had an unpleasant experience when visiting a church in which the people seemed to be unwelcoming and unfriendly? How many have been unhappy in church because they felt disconnected?
A study published in the American Sociological Review examined the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction by studying an intervening factor, the “secret ingredient”. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chaeyoon Lim, assistant professor of sociology, and co-author Robert D. Putnam, Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, used data from the Faith Matters Study, a panel that surveyed a sample of U. S. adults in 2006 and 2007. The study found that 33% of regular church attendees who have three to five close friends in their congregation report they are “extremely satisfied” with their lives. In comparison, only 19% of those who attend religious services weekly, but have no close friends in the congregation, reported they are extremely satisfied. Lim noted the evidence substantiates the hypothesis that happiness is not derived so much from attending church, hearing sermons or even praying, but in building intimate social networks. One of the important functions of religion, according to Lim, is to give people a sense of belonging to a moral community based on religious faith.
The study’s findings were applicable to three main Christian traditions (mainline Protestant, Evangelical Protestant, and Catholic). The researchers found similar patterns among Jews and Mormons. "Our study offers compelling evidence that it is the social aspects of religion rather than theology or spirituality that leads to life satisfaction," said Lim. "In particular, we find that friendships built in religious congregations are the secret ingredient in religion that makes people happier." [1] At informationaboutgod.com, we would certainly not discount the importance of individual prayer, listening to sermons and other important aspects of the Christian life. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates the encouragement that is derived from interpersonal connections.
“Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11)
“pray one for another” (James 5:16)
“if we love one another, God lives in us” (1 John 4:12)
“ let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
[1] American Sociological Association, “’Secret ingredient’ in religion makes people happier.” ScienceDaily, posted 7 Dec 2010, accessed 20 May 2012.
A study published in the American Sociological Review examined the relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction by studying an intervening factor, the “secret ingredient”. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chaeyoon Lim, assistant professor of sociology, and co-author Robert D. Putnam, Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, used data from the Faith Matters Study, a panel that surveyed a sample of U. S. adults in 2006 and 2007. The study found that 33% of regular church attendees who have three to five close friends in their congregation report they are “extremely satisfied” with their lives. In comparison, only 19% of those who attend religious services weekly, but have no close friends in the congregation, reported they are extremely satisfied. Lim noted the evidence substantiates the hypothesis that happiness is not derived so much from attending church, hearing sermons or even praying, but in building intimate social networks. One of the important functions of religion, according to Lim, is to give people a sense of belonging to a moral community based on religious faith.
The study’s findings were applicable to three main Christian traditions (mainline Protestant, Evangelical Protestant, and Catholic). The researchers found similar patterns among Jews and Mormons. "Our study offers compelling evidence that it is the social aspects of religion rather than theology or spirituality that leads to life satisfaction," said Lim. "In particular, we find that friendships built in religious congregations are the secret ingredient in religion that makes people happier." [1] At informationaboutgod.com, we would certainly not discount the importance of individual prayer, listening to sermons and other important aspects of the Christian life. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates the encouragement that is derived from interpersonal connections.
“Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11)
“pray one for another” (James 5:16)
“if we love one another, God lives in us” (1 John 4:12)
“ let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
[1] American Sociological Association, “’Secret ingredient’ in religion makes people happier.” ScienceDaily, posted 7 Dec 2010, accessed 20 May 2012.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Some of us can worship in peace
We feel safe entering churches in the USA and western nations, more concerned about where we will eat lunch afterward than whether we will be shot. For that we can be thankful, because it is not the case in many parts of the world. On Sunday, April 29th, Gunmen attacked worship services at a church in Kano, Nigeria, killing at least 21 people in a coordinated shooting and bombing assault. Christians were gunned down as they tried to flee, reported the Associated Press. [1] Our prayers go out to those families who lost loved ones. As Paul wrote, “we weep with those who weep”. (Rom. 12:15)
The Islamist sect responsible, Boko Haram, has previously targeted churches, including on Christmas day when at least 44 people were killed in a bombing at a church outside Abuja. The group claimed January 20 attacks, also in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, when coordinated bombings and shootings left at least 185 dead in the extremists' deadliest attack. [2]
On May 2nd, Boko Haram has released video celebrating the bombing of a Nigerian newspaper and warning of more attacks on the media if they publish reports that are viewed as biased to the sect or insulting to Islam, reported Reuters. The group, which wants to impose an Islamic state on Nigeria's more or less evenly mixed population of Muslim and Christians, has been blamed for hundreds of killings since 2009. [3]
Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents. On April 22, a church was bombed in Khartoum, Sudan and previously many church bombings occurred in the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan. On January 1, 2011, a Coptic Christian church was bombed in Alexandria, Egypt as mass was ending. In January, 2010, three Christian churches were bombed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Muslims. The list could continue.
For those of us who live in comfort and safety, we remember those who do not. However, we also recognize the danger of complacency and that is the reason for this posting. We shine a light on the works of evil, as Paul admonished: “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead expose them”. (Eph. 5:11) We also pray for those who persecute fellow believers (Matt. 5:44), in the hope they will become brothers.
[1] “21 Killed in Attacks on Church Services in Northern Nigeria”, May 1, 2012, by Salisu Rabiu and Jon Gambrell / The Associated Press.
[2] “Terror as worshippers gunned down during university church services”, 30 Apr 2012, Herald Sun.
[3] Deborah Lutterbeck, 2 May 2012, Reuters.
The Islamist sect responsible, Boko Haram, has previously targeted churches, including on Christmas day when at least 44 people were killed in a bombing at a church outside Abuja. The group claimed January 20 attacks, also in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, when coordinated bombings and shootings left at least 185 dead in the extremists' deadliest attack. [2]
On May 2nd, Boko Haram has released video celebrating the bombing of a Nigerian newspaper and warning of more attacks on the media if they publish reports that are viewed as biased to the sect or insulting to Islam, reported Reuters. The group, which wants to impose an Islamic state on Nigeria's more or less evenly mixed population of Muslim and Christians, has been blamed for hundreds of killings since 2009. [3]
Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents. On April 22, a church was bombed in Khartoum, Sudan and previously many church bombings occurred in the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan. On January 1, 2011, a Coptic Christian church was bombed in Alexandria, Egypt as mass was ending. In January, 2010, three Christian churches were bombed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Muslims. The list could continue.
For those of us who live in comfort and safety, we remember those who do not. However, we also recognize the danger of complacency and that is the reason for this posting. We shine a light on the works of evil, as Paul admonished: “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead expose them”. (Eph. 5:11) We also pray for those who persecute fellow believers (Matt. 5:44), in the hope they will become brothers.
[1] “21 Killed in Attacks on Church Services in Northern Nigeria”, May 1, 2012, by Salisu Rabiu and Jon Gambrell / The Associated Press.
[2] “Terror as worshippers gunned down during university church services”, 30 Apr 2012, Herald Sun.
[3] Deborah Lutterbeck, 2 May 2012, Reuters.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
New study shows how stress influences disease
Stress has been linked with a greater risk of depression, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, upper respiratory infections, poor wound healing and other physical maladies. A new study reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) may now reveal a biochemical mechanism through which stress affects the body.
A team led by Dr. Sheldon Cohen, Psychology Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, has found that the body loses its ability to regulate inflammatory response when undergoing chronic psychological stress. "Inflammation is partly regulated by the hormone cortisol and when cortisol is not allowed to serve this function, inflammation can get out of control," stated Cohen. Immune cells normally protect the body from disease. Cortisol regulates the inflammatory response. Prolonged stress alters the effectiveness of cortisol to perform this regulatory function, decreasing sensitivity to the hormone. Immune cells then become insensitive to cortisol’s regulatory effect. This in turn leads to increased and persistent inflammation, which promotes the development and progression of disease. The problem is not simply higher cortisone levels, but target tissue’s response to it. [1]
Cohen’s team conducted two studies with a total of 355 healthy adult subjects by exposing them to two rhinoviruses following an intensive measurement of stress in their lives. The team proposed a model in which chronic stress results in glucocorticoid receptor resistance (GCR) that leads to a failure in the inflammatory response, thus tending to make a person more susceptible to illness. After controlling variables, those with recent long-term threatening stressful experiences demonstrated GCR and were at a higher risk of developing a cold. (Leaving the house on a cold day without a jacket was not studied.) In the second study, greater GCR predicted production of more local proinflammatory cytokines (regulatory proteins that are produced by immune system cells and act as intercellular mediators in the modulation of immune response) among infected subjects. The researchers noted that “these data provide support for a model suggesting that prolonged stressors result in GCR, which, in turn, interferes with appropriate regulation of inflammation. Inflammation plays an important role in the onset and progression of a wide range of diseases.” [2]
So, how can we reduce stress, which is primarily a psychological and cognitive phenomenon? Aside from giving up the car to avoid driving stress and quitting the job, there are a number of practical and effective methods, some of which include:
• Exercise
• Laugh
• Listen to music
• Get enough sleep
• Eat healthy
• Count our blessings
• Take a walk
• Work in the garden
• Do some charitable work
• Learn to say no
• Don’t procrastinate
Then, there is a method for achieving long-term continual stress reduction. The answer to enduring peace is found in a book written nearly two millennia ago:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)
Jesus promises: “My peace I give to you ... Do not let your heart be troubled” (John 14:27).
And, an old song provides some wise advice:
“What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
(Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918)
[1] Carnegie Mellon University, “How stress influences disease: Study reveals inflammation as the culprit.” Science Daily, posted 2 Apr 2012, accessed 5 Apr 2012.
[2] “Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk”, Sheldon Cohen, Denise Janicki-Deverts, William J. Doyle, Gregory E. Miller, Ellen Frank, Bruce S. Rabin, and Ronald B. Turner, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, April 2, 2012, doi:10.1073/pnas.11183551.
A team led by Dr. Sheldon Cohen, Psychology Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, has found that the body loses its ability to regulate inflammatory response when undergoing chronic psychological stress. "Inflammation is partly regulated by the hormone cortisol and when cortisol is not allowed to serve this function, inflammation can get out of control," stated Cohen. Immune cells normally protect the body from disease. Cortisol regulates the inflammatory response. Prolonged stress alters the effectiveness of cortisol to perform this regulatory function, decreasing sensitivity to the hormone. Immune cells then become insensitive to cortisol’s regulatory effect. This in turn leads to increased and persistent inflammation, which promotes the development and progression of disease. The problem is not simply higher cortisone levels, but target tissue’s response to it. [1]
Cohen’s team conducted two studies with a total of 355 healthy adult subjects by exposing them to two rhinoviruses following an intensive measurement of stress in their lives. The team proposed a model in which chronic stress results in glucocorticoid receptor resistance (GCR) that leads to a failure in the inflammatory response, thus tending to make a person more susceptible to illness. After controlling variables, those with recent long-term threatening stressful experiences demonstrated GCR and were at a higher risk of developing a cold. (Leaving the house on a cold day without a jacket was not studied.) In the second study, greater GCR predicted production of more local proinflammatory cytokines (regulatory proteins that are produced by immune system cells and act as intercellular mediators in the modulation of immune response) among infected subjects. The researchers noted that “these data provide support for a model suggesting that prolonged stressors result in GCR, which, in turn, interferes with appropriate regulation of inflammation. Inflammation plays an important role in the onset and progression of a wide range of diseases.” [2]
So, how can we reduce stress, which is primarily a psychological and cognitive phenomenon? Aside from giving up the car to avoid driving stress and quitting the job, there are a number of practical and effective methods, some of which include:
• Exercise
• Laugh
• Listen to music
• Get enough sleep
• Eat healthy
• Count our blessings
• Take a walk
• Work in the garden
• Do some charitable work
• Learn to say no
• Don’t procrastinate
Then, there is a method for achieving long-term continual stress reduction. The answer to enduring peace is found in a book written nearly two millennia ago:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)
Jesus promises: “My peace I give to you ... Do not let your heart be troubled” (John 14:27).
And, an old song provides some wise advice:
“What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
(Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918)
[1] Carnegie Mellon University, “How stress influences disease: Study reveals inflammation as the culprit.” Science Daily, posted 2 Apr 2012, accessed 5 Apr 2012.
[2] “Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk”, Sheldon Cohen, Denise Janicki-Deverts, William J. Doyle, Gregory E. Miller, Ellen Frank, Bruce S. Rabin, and Ronald B. Turner, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, April 2, 2012, doi:10.1073/pnas.11183551.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Hunger games in ancient Rome
Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year old girl from District 12, was compelled against her wishes to compete in a game to the death with 23 other youths in post-apocalyptic North America (Panem) in the film adaptation of the book Hunger Games. The 2000 film Gladiator with Russell Crowe similarly portrayed matches to the death which were held in ancient Rome for the entertainment of spectators. The Roman Colosseum was dedicated in A.D. 80 and, on one day, 3,000 men fought. Ancient Rome was vicious with the populace thirsty for more and the emperors, to win political power, presented the most grandiose shows. For example, Trajan celebrated his conquest of Dacia by arranging for 9,138 pairs of gladiators to fight over 123 days. [1] After centuries of cruelty, the games finally came to a stop in A.D. 404 in an unexpected way.
An elderly monk by the name of Telemachus, who had lived an ascetic life, one day decided to travel from the East to Rome while Honorius was emperor. Upon seeing the abominable spectacle in the Colosseum, he took the fanatical step to enter the arena during a match. [2] John Foxe provides this record of Telemachus:
“Rome was celebrating its temporary victory over Alaric the Goth in its usual manner, by watching its gladiators fight to the death in the arena, when suddenly there was an interruption. A rudely clad robed figure boldly leaped down into the arena.” Telemachus, a hermit who had devoted himself to prayer and separation from the wicked life of Rome, had come to visit the churches and celebrate Christmas in Rome. “Without hesitating an instant, Telemachus advanced upon two gladiators who were engaged in their life-and-death struggle. Laying a hand on one of them, he sternly reproved him for shedding innocent blood, and the monk, turning toward the thousands of angry faces around him, called to them: ‘Do not repay God’s mercy in turning away the swords of your enemies by murdering each other!’
Angry shouts drowned out his voice. ‘This is no place for preaching! On with the combat!’ Pushing Telemachus aside, the two gladiators prepared to continue their combat, but Telemachus stepped between them. Enraged at the interference of an outsider with their chosen vocation, the gladiators turned on Telemachus and stabbed him to death.
The crowd fell silent, shocked by the death of this holy man, but his death had not been in vain, for from that day on, no more gladiators ever went into combat in the Colosseum.” [3] Emperor Honorius numbered Telemachus as one of the victorious martyrs and at that time ended the vicious games.
This old story provides us with a reminder that one person can make a difference. Unfortunately, significant societal changes are often derived from the greatest tragedies. We can think of Martin Luther King Jr. and others. Not long ago in the USA, legislation was enacted following horrific events – The Adam Walsh Act and Megan’s Law. Like Telemachus, and others throughout history, may we as well boldly stand for what is right.
[1] Keith Hopkins, “Murderous Games: Gladiatorial Contests in Ancient Rome”, History Today, Volume 33, Issue 6.
[2] Philip Schaff, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 3, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1885), 346.
[3] John Foxe, Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World, (Westwood, NJ: Barbour Books, 1989), 26-27.
An elderly monk by the name of Telemachus, who had lived an ascetic life, one day decided to travel from the East to Rome while Honorius was emperor. Upon seeing the abominable spectacle in the Colosseum, he took the fanatical step to enter the arena during a match. [2] John Foxe provides this record of Telemachus:
“Rome was celebrating its temporary victory over Alaric the Goth in its usual manner, by watching its gladiators fight to the death in the arena, when suddenly there was an interruption. A rudely clad robed figure boldly leaped down into the arena.” Telemachus, a hermit who had devoted himself to prayer and separation from the wicked life of Rome, had come to visit the churches and celebrate Christmas in Rome. “Without hesitating an instant, Telemachus advanced upon two gladiators who were engaged in their life-and-death struggle. Laying a hand on one of them, he sternly reproved him for shedding innocent blood, and the monk, turning toward the thousands of angry faces around him, called to them: ‘Do not repay God’s mercy in turning away the swords of your enemies by murdering each other!’
Angry shouts drowned out his voice. ‘This is no place for preaching! On with the combat!’ Pushing Telemachus aside, the two gladiators prepared to continue their combat, but Telemachus stepped between them. Enraged at the interference of an outsider with their chosen vocation, the gladiators turned on Telemachus and stabbed him to death.
The crowd fell silent, shocked by the death of this holy man, but his death had not been in vain, for from that day on, no more gladiators ever went into combat in the Colosseum.” [3] Emperor Honorius numbered Telemachus as one of the victorious martyrs and at that time ended the vicious games.
This old story provides us with a reminder that one person can make a difference. Unfortunately, significant societal changes are often derived from the greatest tragedies. We can think of Martin Luther King Jr. and others. Not long ago in the USA, legislation was enacted following horrific events – The Adam Walsh Act and Megan’s Law. Like Telemachus, and others throughout history, may we as well boldly stand for what is right.
[1] Keith Hopkins, “Murderous Games: Gladiatorial Contests in Ancient Rome”, History Today, Volume 33, Issue 6.
[2] Philip Schaff, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 2, Volume 3, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1885), 346.
[3] John Foxe, Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World, (Westwood, NJ: Barbour Books, 1989), 26-27.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Can humans live two or three times longer?
On January 3, 2012, University of Pittsburgh researchers announced they had increased the normal life spans of mice two to three times by injecting stem cell-like progenitor cells that had been derived from the muscle of young, healthy mice. Associate Professor Laura Niedemhofer and Johnny Huard, Director of Pitt’s stem cell research center, reported this study in the journal Nature Communications [1]. New blood vessel growth was found in the brain and muscle of mice that received the injections. "If we can purify that protein, we may have found an anti-aging protein and that will be huge," Huard said. If this technique can be used with humans, he said, "When you turn 30, 35, 40, instead of having all this cosmetic surgery, we can take your cells and then reinject them into you … You're going to age, but you're going to age slower than the normal person who doesn't have stem cell transplantation." [2] It is foreseeable that people will begin to store stem cells from an early age – even from the umbilical cord – to be used later to heal from disease and injury and maybe to increase life spans dramatically.
On July 5, 1997, Dolly the sheep in Scotland was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Because such a small percentage of viable offspring resulted from these experiments, physicians with the American Medical Association and scientists with the American Association for the Advancement of Science issued formal public statements advising against attempts to clone humans [3]. Since then, techniques have improved. On April 8, 2009, scientists in Dubai announced they had cloned the first one-humped camel [4]. With continual medical advancement, human cloning is a real possibility within our lifetime, perhaps involving generation of new organs for transplantation.
What if it would be possible to clone humans or more than double the average life span? Is scientific research on the verge of going too far and playing God? Genetic engineering and even cloning has been used for years with plants and animals, many times to the significant benefit of humans. For example, banana plants that are more resistant to disease and parasites are cloned. Obviously, genetically engineering a new form of bacterium for which there are no natural defenses may be potentially disastrous. Human cloning presents an ethical problem if embryos are destroyed in the process. That was the case with Dolly the sheep, a process which employed a process of somatic cell nuclear transfer, using 277 eggs and created 29 embryos. A human embryo contains DNA, the beginning of a new, separate human being. No one knows when the soul enters a human and it may be at the point of conception, when the genetic code is finalized in the cell. The age of viability of a human fetus continues to regress and a human heart begins to beat around the 21st day after conception, so destruction of a human embryo would be unethical and immoral.
Destroying a human life would constitute “playing God”. However, if medical science advances to the point in which no embryos are destroyed, the new organism would be a separate person, even though he or she has the same DNA as an existing person. This new, cloned human would essentially be an identical twin, with his or her own soul. This does not seem to be a violation of any ethical or moral code. On the other hand, creating a separate, cloned, human for the purpose of organ harvesting would be monstrous. If one’s own cells can be used to regenerate a damaged or diseased organ - without creating a new embryo - there should be no ethical problem.
There is one final important point to consider. Each of us may live a century, perhaps even two, in this life and it is commendable to work to prolong that time for all people. It is also logical to afford these efforts the appropriate amount of consideration that is due. Every one of us will leave this life sometime. We will spend eternity in the next life [5]. Each of us needs to ask the question: Will I be the one whom Jesus called a fool, working only to make his own life more comfortable? [6] Or, will I be the one who is wise, planning also for life after death, and storing treasure in heaven? [7]
[1] University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, “Dr. Laura Niedernhofer and Dr. Johnny Huard's Stem Cell Research Slows Aging”, accessed 20 Jan 2012.
[2] Luis Fabregas, “Pitt stem-cell research slows aging”, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 4 Jan 2012.
[3] U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, “Cloning Fact Sheet”, updated 11 May 2009, accessed 18 Jan 2012.
[4] BBC News, “First camel clone born in Dubai”, posted 14 Apr 2009, accessed 22 Jan 2012.
[5] Matthew 25:46 – The unrighteous will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
[6] Luke 12:19-21 – “I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
[7] Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth … store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”
On July 5, 1997, Dolly the sheep in Scotland was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Because such a small percentage of viable offspring resulted from these experiments, physicians with the American Medical Association and scientists with the American Association for the Advancement of Science issued formal public statements advising against attempts to clone humans [3]. Since then, techniques have improved. On April 8, 2009, scientists in Dubai announced they had cloned the first one-humped camel [4]. With continual medical advancement, human cloning is a real possibility within our lifetime, perhaps involving generation of new organs for transplantation.
What if it would be possible to clone humans or more than double the average life span? Is scientific research on the verge of going too far and playing God? Genetic engineering and even cloning has been used for years with plants and animals, many times to the significant benefit of humans. For example, banana plants that are more resistant to disease and parasites are cloned. Obviously, genetically engineering a new form of bacterium for which there are no natural defenses may be potentially disastrous. Human cloning presents an ethical problem if embryos are destroyed in the process. That was the case with Dolly the sheep, a process which employed a process of somatic cell nuclear transfer, using 277 eggs and created 29 embryos. A human embryo contains DNA, the beginning of a new, separate human being. No one knows when the soul enters a human and it may be at the point of conception, when the genetic code is finalized in the cell. The age of viability of a human fetus continues to regress and a human heart begins to beat around the 21st day after conception, so destruction of a human embryo would be unethical and immoral.
Destroying a human life would constitute “playing God”. However, if medical science advances to the point in which no embryos are destroyed, the new organism would be a separate person, even though he or she has the same DNA as an existing person. This new, cloned human would essentially be an identical twin, with his or her own soul. This does not seem to be a violation of any ethical or moral code. On the other hand, creating a separate, cloned, human for the purpose of organ harvesting would be monstrous. If one’s own cells can be used to regenerate a damaged or diseased organ - without creating a new embryo - there should be no ethical problem.
There is one final important point to consider. Each of us may live a century, perhaps even two, in this life and it is commendable to work to prolong that time for all people. It is also logical to afford these efforts the appropriate amount of consideration that is due. Every one of us will leave this life sometime. We will spend eternity in the next life [5]. Each of us needs to ask the question: Will I be the one whom Jesus called a fool, working only to make his own life more comfortable? [6] Or, will I be the one who is wise, planning also for life after death, and storing treasure in heaven? [7]
[1] University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, “Dr. Laura Niedernhofer and Dr. Johnny Huard's Stem Cell Research Slows Aging”, accessed 20 Jan 2012.
[2] Luis Fabregas, “Pitt stem-cell research slows aging”, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 4 Jan 2012.
[3] U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, “Cloning Fact Sheet”, updated 11 May 2009, accessed 18 Jan 2012.
[4] BBC News, “First camel clone born in Dubai”, posted 14 Apr 2009, accessed 22 Jan 2012.
[5] Matthew 25:46 – The unrighteous will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
[6] Luke 12:19-21 – “I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
[7] Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth … store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”
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