Religious Conservatives Urge People To Stop Taking ‘ALS Challenge’ Because It Kills Babies

[big_dog]

Source: The Raw Story & The Southern Poverty Law Center

Kevin McCullough of the American Family Association is urging his followers not to take “the ALS Challenge” because doing so will “kill” unborn children, the Southern Poverty Law Center reports. The ALS Challenge is a viral movement that hopes to spread awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease” — by having individuals record video of themselves being doused with a bucket of ice cold water and posting it on social media. It has led to a dramatic increase in donations to the ALS Association — from $1.9 million at this time last year to $31.5 million this year.

But as McCullough pointed out, this money will be used to fund embryonic stem cell research, which “means that children are created and at their earliest stages of life they are destroyed so that the stem cells (from usually the base of the brain) can be harvested to perform tests with.” According to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, “all the human embryonic stem cell lines currently in use come from four to five day old embryos left over from in vitro fertilization. After a couple has completed their family, they must decide what to do with any remaining embryos. In some states, couples can also choose to donate the frozen embryos for research. These donated embryos are the source of human embryonic stem cell lines.”

Still, McCullough insisted that “[t]here should be no forced taking of any innocent person’s life just so that another may live longer. That is in essence philosophical cannibalism and moral persons should have no part in it.”

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati agreed with that statement, noting that Pope John Paul II specifically forbid Catholics from donating to ALS related charities. In 2003, he said that “any treatment which claims to save human lives, yet is based upon the destruction of human life in its embryonic state, is logically and morally contradictory, as is any production of human embryos for the direct or indirect purpose of experimentation or eventual destruction.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/21/religious-conservatives-urge-people-to-stop-taking-als-challenge-because-it-kills-babies/

[hobbit709]

1. As if we needed more proof that religion needs to keep its nose out of government.

[PoutrageFatigue]

17. No shit...

Right?

[nxylas]

54. What does government have to do with this?

I don't disagree with the premise, but this is a story about private individuals choosing which charities to donate to. The establishment clause doesn't really have any bearing on it.

[Joe Bacon]

57. My coworker Gil died from ALS.

I saw what it did to him. It took away his ability to work, walk and talk a little piece each day.

I have two words for the assholes in the Religious Right Cult of the Fetus who shoot their mouths off about Freddy and Freida Fetus, but once Freddy or Freida are born, these phony freaks who flaunt wearing a cross on their sleeves don't give a damn if Freddy or Freida are molested, starve to death, denied decent education, get sick or anything else.

The words I have to say to the Religious Right are...

FUCK YOU!

[catbyte]

65. My dad died from ALS and it is the most horrific disease I've ever seen. Absolutely

no hope when you're diagnosed. None. It is a death sentence. At least with cancer you have a shot. With ALS, none. They can all kiss my Indian ass then go straight to hell.

[A Simple Game]

2. So rather than have the embryo live on in another being they would rather the embryo

is flushed down a toilet?

[blackspade]

3. Lunatic.

These people are nuts. Right to life my ass.

[big_dog]

4. screw you 'American Family' Association!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

28. Should have a NSFW tag on your subject line.

I came to your post at work, and even though I'm not offended, I don't feel like looking like a pervert in front of my colleagues today.

Perhaps, Monday, I'll push the envelope.

Cheers.

[big_dog]

36. i think everyone is fully clothed

it looks like people are having a lot of fun with it

[littlemissmartypants]

5. This.^ nt

[big_dog]

12. someone in their own party, like Chris Christie or Rand Paul just needs to tell them to shut up

Last edited Fri Aug 22, 2014, 02:56 PM - Edit history (1)

[Chasstev365]

6. REALLY?

Is it better that most embryonic stem cell are thrown out or destroyed in some way instead of being used to cure a disease? What an idiot!

[L0oniX]

7. It's sad when people don't develop brain power.

[big_dog]

8. how can they take one thing nearly EYERYONE can agree on (ALS research) and try to ruin it?

[AngryOldDem]

22. Because that's what they DO.

Really -- you didn't see this coming?

They see themselves as the last bastions of morality and light in this godless age of scientific research. They place potential life right up there with all the suffering and dying people who need a cure to this disease ASAP. They're here to show the rest of us the evil of our ways.

They may think they're being righteous, but to me they're being sanctimonious assholes.

[calimary]

41. Because there's ALWAYS somebody who's just gotta pee in the pickle barrel.

Because... I dunno... Benghazi...

[abakan]

56. They will use anything to promote their agenda...

They will try anything to control our uterus. Nothing makes them happier than, pissing in your wheaties.

[onecaliberal]

9. Too bad these people don't get the irony

Of calling themselves moral. Geezus

[valerief]

10. The child molesters don't want "babies" harmed. nt

[Raven]

11. Interesting...I advised my newly pregant secretary not to do

this challenge because I had no idea how it might affect her early pregnancy... never thought of the religious right. Maybe they should be more worried about those things. Duh!

[lastlib]

13. American Family Assoc.: taking America Back--to the 14th century!

would someone please tell these troglodytes that their knuckles are gragging??

[LW1977]

32. Oh yay another Christian bashing thread

Another reason I consider the Atheist "free thinking" cult be a bunch of hypocrites.

[LynneSin]

38. As a Christian please do NOT lump the AFA in with the rest of us

They are a warped group of people who misuse the bible and Christianity in order to spread hate and fear. I don't see this as a Christian bashing thread since I do not consider members of the AFA as true Christians. They are a fundamentalist hate group who follow the teachings of Paul and I have no problems bashing assholes like the AFA.

[F4lconF16]

45. Yes, because "true Christians"

Never, ever do bad things

Please. They're Christians, just as you are. They might be insane, fundamentalist, idiots, yes, but they're Christians. You can't say they're not just because you don't like that they're terrible people.

And I promise not to point out that the bible is filled with hate and fear that has been used for centuries to persecute and harm--oh wait, oops.

Now I'm sure you're going to think of me as a hateful atheist who just wants to bash on Christianity, but oh well. I get tired of this bs.

(Not saying ALL Christians, etc., etc. I really shouldn't need to add this, but sometimes...)

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

70. Lynne did NOT say "True Christians never do bad things"

She(? -- I hate names that can be given to either gender) said that the AFA is a bunch of narrow-minded, moralistic fundamentalists; and not all Christians should be tarred with that brush.

[F4lconF16]

47. I'm sure you realize this

But this is an attack, and offensive as hell.

The jury elected to leave 4-3, which just goes to show that perhaps your alleged "Christian bashing thread" doesn't exist. That should have been hidden.

[newcriminal]

49. You are offended?

“If someone tells me that I’ve hurt their feelings I’m still waiting to hear what your point is.” - Christopher Hitchens

These are the jury results. It should not have been hidden,. Better luck on your next alert.

On Fri Aug 22, 2014, 07:16 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Oh yay another Christian bashing thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=877334

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Atheism is a cult? This post is a direct attack, and pretty offensive. I'm sure the poster would not enjoy having his/her religion called a cult. (and to be clear, Atheism is neither a cult nor a religion)

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Aug 22, 2014, 07:23 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Atheists can be hypocrites, like everyone else. But they're not a cult.

[F4lconF16]

53. Point taken.

I shouldn't have said that I was offended. It serves no purpose without having more with it.

That said, it was an attack on a minority here at DU. Calling a group of posters a cult (meant clearly as an insult) and a bunch of hypocrites should not be acceptable. It contributed to a hostile atmosphere. I don't think the jury decision was right.

Ah well. Have a good day.

[lastlib]

52. I don't bash Christians--just the ones who wouldn't know Christianity if it hit 'em in the face....

Like Bill Moyers said, it's the difference between the religion of Jesus and the religion about Jesus.

[Arugula Latte]

59. So are you okay with what these moronic AFA assholes are saying?

You think we shouldn't bash these controlling idiots?

[azureblue]

69. Oh Yay

Another Christian who refuses to condemn those who ruin Christianity, but is quick to call people who call out these fake Christians, "Christian bashers".

[SoapBox]

14. Another reason I consider the Catholic Cult irrelevant.

[bluestateguy]

15. Got to protect that goo in a dish

yep

[littlemissmartypants]

16. Not white~ male~privilege, again?!?!?

Dammit.

Wash your hands.

And throw away that dish.

Nasty.

~flips hair
~walks away
~dons blue gloves
~removes biohazard

[CBHagman]

18. I just move right along when someone on Facebook raises this question about the IB Challenge.

Last edited Sat Aug 23, 2014, 03:14 PM - Edit history (1)

This is the most attention Lou Gehrig's disease has gotten in years, and the pharmaceutical companies haven't had any motivation for finding a cure (It's a rare illness and a cure won't make them a profit). I don't mean to say that the current fundraising effort will be the basis for a cure, but at least it'll boost research.

If you know/knew someone who has had ALS, you know how much even having this conversation means.

[Joe Bacon]

58. I second what CB posted.

I saw what ALS did to a coworker.

I say God Bless the folks who got this going. Hoping that this new funding will help doctors and scientists find a cure!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

19. why don't the religious CONserveez have a problem with artificially creating

A Petri dish full of embryos in the first place?

Just so obsessed breeders can go against gawd'z will (that they not multiply) and create a bushel O' "babeez", only to flush all but 2 or 3, as a part of the process?

If you love kids so much, there are a multitude of children needing loving parents.

Selfish hypocrites.

[UpInArms]

23. +1

[hifiguy]

30. All I have to say is

[Thor_MN]

20. Charity dollars are limited. Wouldn't want the weekends hauls to come up short...

Can't have the marks literally splashing their money around. And certainly not have fun while doing it!!!

[Thinkingabout]

29. Exactly, if this was making money for the AFA it would be game on, these people continue with their

crazy TP ideas Todd Akin knows.

[AngryOldDem]

21. Just ignore them.

I wasn't the least bit surprised when the Archdiocese of Cincinnati did this -- perhaps one of the more most conservatives archdioceses in the U.S. Anything good, anything that will help -- count on the Church to come along and dump on it.

The stem cell argument is just bullshit. And man, that is one hell of an broad definition of "cannibalism" that McCullough has, too. Fetuses at that stage are potential life. There is nothing there that puts them on the same plane as someone suffering from ALS, or any other disease that research is looking to cure.

And if people do decide to take up this challenge and then give the money elsewhere -- do your homework and make sure the charity is legit. The archdiocese wants money raised to go to the "John Paul II Institute" -- do they do the same work that the ALS Foundation does?

Bottom line: Let these folks do what they gotta do, while the rest of us live in the 21st century and do the good turn for someone else.

[F4lconF16]

46. I would love to ignore them.

Unfortunately, they're attacking my rights. They're going after women. They're legisting their beliefs into the system. They are hurting people.

Ignoring them is not an option. They need to be spoken out against, and they need to be stopped.

[theHandpuppet]

50. Thank you!!!

[Arugula Latte]

62. How dare you even say this?!?1! You're bashing all Christians!!11!1!

Oh Noooooes!!I1!

[AngryOldDem]

63. Speaking as a woman and ex-Catholic...

I do what I want. I believe what I want. I contribute to groups that I want. I couldn't give a fuck what they say.

It's bullshit like this that makes the Catholic church marginal in society. They won't change their beliefs, but they will continue to be pushed to the side.

EDIT TO ADD: By the way, I have hit the Church trifecta: I'm a woman, I'm divorced, and I have a gay son. Three reasons right there why it has very little sway over my life.

[kickysnana]

24. Cause everything is about them...er Jesus (or something.) n/t

[Javaman]

25. In other news: right wing xtains are jealous they didn't come up with the challenged first!

Pastor Barney Google was quoted as saying, "blast-feemers!!! Against gods will! All that money going to "science" research! when it could be going into my pocket!!!"

[amuse bouche]

26. The real reason religion sucks so much

is because a-holes hide behind it to promote their bigotry and hate agenda

A day without religion, is a day you use your brain

[HERVEPA]

27. But I'm sure this pope has reversed the previous one, right? Because he's such a great guy.

[LW1977]

31. Bash all Christians because of one blasphemous jerk!

Just like Pat Robertson, but with opposite views.

[Arugula Latte]

60. It's not just one.

Here is a line from the article:
"The Archdiocese of Cincinnati agreed with that statement, noting that Pope John Paul II specifically forbid Catholics from donating to ALS related charities."

Organizations of rightwing Protestants and the higher-ups of the Roman Catholic Church are at it again, trying to make everyone else adhere to their primitive mythology-based beliefs -- with life-or-death consequences for real human beings.

[louis-t]

33. Is there no limit to their hatred?

Calling themselves "moral"?

[rocktivity]

34. Here's the REAL moral outrage of the Ice Bucket Challenge

Last edited Fri Aug 22, 2014, 03:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Expecting black women to dump ice water on their hair considering what it costs to perm and braid it! I mean, seriously?


rocktivity

[LynneSin]

39. I know a few people who have done it but had the water dumped on their backs

And even Nicole Kidman didn't get her hair wet in her video.

[rocktivity]

44. I've decided to take a principled stand on the issue

Last edited Mon Jan 19, 2015, 01:30 PM - Edit history (1)

http://rocktivity.com/bj/bjALSresponse1.webm


rocktivity

[NickB79]

35. Let's play "Try to Find the Embryo's Brain!"

“means that children are created and at their earliest stages of life they are destroyed so that the stem cells (from usually the base of the brain) can be harvested to perform tests with.”

Anyone else see a brain in there, much less the base of the brain?

Once again, the conservative pro-life morons show that what they THINK embryos look like is actually nothing like what they really are.

They seem to hold a 17th-century view of how life begins:

[LynneSin]

37. I'm finding this whole ice bucket thing annoying but want to do it just to piss these folks off

they are idiots

[calimary]

40. Hah! Makes me want to do it, too, just to spite them!

[Arugula Latte]

61. It has raised millions for ALS research -- I don't get the animosity towards the challenge.

[LynneSin]

64. I have no issues with that

it's just that it's getting old.

[rickyhall]

42. Looks like great advertising for the challenge

But, seriously, wonder what AFA has to say about children dying in Gaza and Honduras?

[Dont call me Shirley]

43. Is Kevin related to the McCollough prosecutor?

Sexism and racism go hand in hand.

[freshwest]

48. Shut up 'pro-lifers.' More brazen hypocrisy. They do nothing for disabled people, after they're born

Except cut off Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, Meals on Wheels and attack the social safety net.

Can't stand clowns of any ilk messing with women they don't even know nor do they want to know.

This is all a hobby with them, they are sitting up above others and telling them what to do.

My favorite rebuttal, 'So you're pro-life? What about anchor babies?'

VAFFANCULO REPUBBLICANI !!!

~Tx4obama

[LiberalElite]

51. Like I've always said -

"Pro Lifers" care about the first nine months and then we're on our own.

[leftyladyfrommo]

55. Have they now pushed the beginning of life

back to the gleam in the father's eye?

[yurbud]

66. To be consistent, they should oppose in vitro too

But that would alienate too many of their followers, especially the ones who can afford in vitro, wick means they also have bucks to give to the church.

[theHandpuppet]

67. The Catholic church does oppose in vitro fertilzation

The Catholic church does not approve of IVF or even the adoption of the extra frozen embyros, sometimes called "snowflake babies". "Artificial insemination" is also out unless the latter is accomplished by means of what they call "gamete intrafallopian tube transfer" between married heterosexual couples.
http://www.diocesephoenix.org/invitro-fertilization.php
http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/gift.html

There was a discussion of this a while ago in this thread: http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1230&pid=24287

[yurbud]

71. the Catholic Church is a little better at being consistent in theory than Evangelicals

and their followers are a lot better at ignoring inconvenient consistencies.

[Zambero]

68. An ice cold water bath would tend to dampen the libido

Hence preventing a potentially unwanted pregnancy that might otherwise occur. Therefore, no need for an abortion. Sounds like WIN-WIN to me, but then again I'm not a religious zealot so I wouldn't know.

[Vinca]

72. Sarah Palin took the ice bucket challenge.

Baby killer!!

[olddad56]

73. some religious groups just can't come to grips with the notion that the earth is not flat...

and all the bullshit the believe in comes from a book, in which they take literally rather than figuratively. That book was written when people still believed that the earth was flat. So if they are going to seek the truth from that book, why would they think anything other than the world is flat?