Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Abstinence

2007-05-29T21:41:24Z

BornAgain:

The word '''abstinence''' means refraining from indulging in an appetite.

In the 1800s and 1900s, the word "abstinence," used without other explanation, almost always meant abstinence from alcohol. The "abstinence movement," for example, led to the establishment of [[prohibition]]. ''Teetotaler'' mean someone who advocated "total abstinence," rather than just moderation.

Starting in about the 1990s, "abstinence" has been more commonly used in the context of abstinence from [[sexual]] intercourse, particularly in the United States in the context of [[sex]] education for adolescents. Thus, for example, we read in a 2002 White House policy statement:
:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

Studies of the effectiveness of abstinence programs have yielded differing conclusions. A 2004 study by the Heritage Foundation (a self-described "conservative think-tank")<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/about/ The Heritage Foundation: Our Mission] "Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."</ref> found that virginity pledges significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes
by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall
Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A 2007 study by Mathematica Policy Research (a self-described "nonpartisan research firm") found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth." But, like Heritage, it found that "youth in these programs were no more likely to have unprotected sex."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref><ref>
$1bn 'don't have sex' campaign a flop as research shows teenagers ignore lessons, The Guardian [http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2058066,00.html]</ref>

The abstinence policy of the Bush administration has also been heavily criticized by liberals as being unrealistic, ignoring the real issues and misleading. But this [[deceit|deceitful]] view ignores the fact that abstinent teens don't get VD or pregnant. <ref>Bush "abstinence only" program lies to kids about sex, HIV dangers[http://www.unknownnews.org/04121402abstinence.html]</ref>

The resignation of [[Randall Tobias]], appointed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W Bush]] to promote abstinence education and responsible for enforcing a U.S. global [[AIDS]] policy requiring recipients to swear they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking, after it was discovered he had been a customer of an escort service in Washington, D.C. whose owner has been charged by federal prosecutors with running a [[prostitution]] operation, shows how challenging abstinence can be. <ref> http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/04/senior_official.html</ref>

==Notes and references==
<references/>

Abstinence

2007-05-29T21:41:01Z

BornAgain:

The word '''abstinence''' means refraining from indulging in an appetite.

In the 1800s and 1900s, the word "abstinence," used without other explanation, almost always meant abstinence from alcohol. The "abstinence movement," for example, led to the establishment of [[prohibition]]. ''Teetotaler'' mean someone who advocated "total abstinence," rather than just moderation.

Starting in about the 1990s, "abstinence" has been more commonly used in the context of abstinence from [[sexual]] intercourse, particularly in the United States in the context of [[sex]] education for adolescents. Thus, for example, we read in a 2002 White House policy statement:
:..."the goal of Federal policy should be to emphasize abstinence as the only certain way to avoid both unintended pregnancies and STDs."<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/welfare-book-06.html WORKING TOWARD INDEPENDENCE] Encourage Abstinence and Prevent Teen Pregnancy, White House News and Policies, February 2002</ref>

Studies of the effectiveness of abstinence programs have yielded differing conclusions. A 2004 study by the Heritage Foundation (a self-described "conservative think-tank")<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/about/ The Heritage Foundation: Our Mission] "Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute - a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."</ref> found that virginity pledges significantly reduce premarital sex without putting backsliders at risk.<ref> Teens Who Make Virginity Pledges Have Substantially Improved Life Outcomes
by Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Jennifer A. Marshall
Center for Data Analysis Report #04-07 [http://www.heritage.org/Research/Abstinence/cda04-07.cfm] </ref> A 2007 study by Mathematica Policy Research (a self-described "nonpartisan research firm") found that "the programs had no effect on the sexual abstinence of youth." But, like Heritage, it found that "youth in these programs were no more likely to have unprotected sex."<ref>[http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/abstinencereport.asp Impacts of Four Abstinence Education Programs]</ref><ref>
$1bn 'don't have sex' campaign a flop as research shows teenagers ignore lessons, The Guardian [http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2058066,00.html]</ref>

The abstinence policy of the Bush administration has also been heavily criticized by liberals as being unrealistic, ignoring the real issues and misleading. But this [[deceitful|deceit]] view ignores the fact that abstinent teens don't get VD or pregnant. <ref>Bush "abstinence only" program lies to kids about sex, HIV dangers[http://www.unknownnews.org/04121402abstinence.html]</ref>

The resignation of [[Randall Tobias]], appointed by [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W Bush]] to promote abstinence education and responsible for enforcing a U.S. global [[AIDS]] policy requiring recipients to swear they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking, after it was discovered he had been a customer of an escort service in Washington, D.C. whose owner has been charged by federal prosecutors with running a [[prostitution]] operation, shows how challenging abstinence can be. <ref> http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/04/senior_official.html</ref>

==Notes and references==
<references/>

Debate:Does the Theory of Evolution promote atheism?

2007-05-29T21:37:01Z

BornAgain: /* YES */

{{debate}}

==YES==

The theory of "evolution through natural selection" is ''predicated'' upon an atheistic assumption. It is based on so-called [[methodological naturalism]], i.e., a refusal to consider supernatural causes. Right from the start it consciously and deliberately rules out God's creative and guiding power.

Legislation and especially court rulings in the United States enforce this atheistic doctrine. In public schools, during science class, teachers are authorized to ''squelch'' any challenge to this atheistic premise. Note that I do not mean that science classes simply say, let's ignore God. I mean that ''by choosing to ignore God'' they are supporting atheism and attacking religion.

The doctrine of [[unguided evolution]] is essential to atheism. No atheist can survive intellectually, without having a satisfactory answer to the question, "Where did human beings come from? How did life begin? Why is planet Earth so hospitable to life?" --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] 06:48, 28 May 2007 (EDT)

:The Bible says that God created life in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Any belief other than this is anti-Christian, and therefore atheistic. [[User:BornAgain|BornAgain]] 17:37, 29 May 2007 (EDT)

==NO==
Ed Poor's argument is based on the assumption that humans can fathom the manner in which God created life. This is a faulty premise. The majority of scientists support the theory of evolution and the vast majority of scientists believe in God. They are able to have both of these beliefs because they realize that we cannot possibly understand the works of God. On the other hand, we can seek understanding of the world we live in by creating theories based on our observations. The theory of evolution says nothing about the existence of God. It is simply a theory, based on certain observations, that creates certain predictions.

If evolution is undermining religion, it is doing so only because creationists posit that they know how God created life, and evolution is not how He created it. When evolution is supported, creationists feel like their beliefs are being undermined. Belief in evolution is an exercise in humility and perseverance - accepting the fact that we cannot understand God's works combined with an unceasing effort to understand what we can in our world.--[[User:Laches|Laches]] 14:42, 28 May 2007 (EDT)