Posted by jayhawker (anonymous) on September 25, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Daily: You made an excellent point that deserves reinforcement. You are absolutely correct that most women respect the life of their unborn baby and do not abort, many without regard to religious beliefs in so doing. I think that that statement makes the point better than any sermon from any pulpit, and that is that most mothers have compassion and love for their child even before it is born because, instinctively, it is the right thing to do. Conversely, most mothers of unborn children understand, instinctively, that to kill the child is wrong. We don't need to hear it from a preacher to understand that.

Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think if the Palins were such good Christians, the girl wouldn't have been having sex out of wedlock anyway. Period. And I was not surprised to see her last child, conceived so late in life, has Down's Syndrome. Past 35 years old, you are put in a high risk category if you get pregnant. As a mother, I can't imagine how anyone could abort a child. Especially after the baby starts to move around in there. I shudder thinking about those late term abortions where the baby is able to survive on its own a lot of the time. THAT is murder in my eyes. I had a talk with the wife of a friend. She had a baby with a genetic defect. He wouldn't survive more than a couple hours after birth. She was told he could die at any time or make it until delivery. She was given the option to abort the baby but said she would let him live in there as long as God willed. Not long after he did pass away. That would be so hard! I would be a nervous wreck waiting for the end to come but don't think I could say, go ahead and take him out. I think the option should be there in case of rape or incest or to save the mother's life. But it upsets me when women use abortion in place of birth control.

Posted by emporialifer (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a prolifer I agree; however, I think there is one important thing that we all need to keep in mind. EVERYONE sins, Christians, atheists, etc. It doesn't matter how "good" of a Christian a person is or strives to be - no human is perfect. We all make mistakes and we all make bad choices. The beauty is that God knows that and forgives us and loves us enough to wipe all of those away with his ultimate sacrifice. Talk about unconditional love. I know we hold certain people to higher standards in life (teachers, policemen, preachers, etc.), but let's all just remember that when it comes down to it - we are all human.

Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not saying people don't make mistakes. Everyone does. I just find it funny that the Palins make such a huge deal about being good Christians since they are going to have the baby but gloss over the fact that the daughter went against Christian values by having sex before marriage. And those "shotgun" weddings between young people due to a pregnacy often end in divorce. I'll be curious to see if they make it 5 years. I bet not.

Posted by Happiness08 (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a mother myself with a teenage daughter that "had a baby out of wedlock" I would like to say that not one time have I ever considered my grandchild "a mistake". I also am a Christian. Christians are not perfect. That does not mean we love God any less. My daughter and my grandchild are the joy of my life wedlock or no wedlock.

Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree that all children are a blessing from God. My point is that Palin is acting rather hypocrytical in my eyes. These days it's common for kids to be born to unwed parents. I'm not saying it's right but it happens. Society now says it's acceptable and that's why you see more and more teenage mothers. And look at Clay Aiken. He used in vitreo to get a baby on a friend then admits he's gay. And the whole Spears family shows how irresponsible some people can be. And it's right there on the tv for all to see. Over time it desensitizes people and starts to appear "normal" and acceptable. I strongly believe that is why our society had gone downhill the way it has in the last few decades.

Posted by truelovecharlie (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe people have the unmitigated gall to use a childs sexual activities to question the parents religious standard. We can only lead our children and hope they follow our lead. Many children of devoutly religious families, stray. It should have no reflection on the parents. As for the Palin baby with Downs Syndrom; God only blesses special people with ability to raise such a special child.

Posted by Happiness08 (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you truelovecharlie for the remark about special people being blessed with special children. My oldest daughter has had 2 special needs children. One of which passed away when she was 2 and a half years old of congential birth defects. Her 11 year old son is also a special needs child. I don't know of any other mother who would have had the strength and courage to care for her children like she has had. And no, she wasn't over 35 when she had either one. She was in her 20's. All these things are the reason Sarah Palin would make an excellent vice president. She is a real person, with real problems who can relate to the average American. Lets get all those superhero's out of office who only have public image lives.

Posted by truelovecharlie (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I Thank God continuously for all 4 of my children being 100% healthy. I don't know if I could have been a strong enough parent to raise a special needs child. I woulk like to think I could have; but am very thankful I never had to find out. I belive with all my heart that parents of special needs children will receive great blessings and rewards in their lifetime and beyond. How easy would it have been for the Palin's to have tested and then aborted their "imperfect" fetus?

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Madpoet said:

"I think if the Palins were such good Christians, the girl wouldn't have been having sex out of wedlock anyway. Period. And I was not surprised to see her last child, conceived so late in life, has Down's Syndrome. Past 35 years old, you are put in a high risk category if you get pregnant."

That has to be the most offensive, judgmental, unchristian comment I have ever read. To suggest that parents are somehow flawed, guilty, or lacking in Christian values because their child made a mistake or used poor judgement is puritanical old-world jibberish and smacks of pure ignorance.

Madpoet, you should be terribly ashamed and embarrassed by those comments.

Posted by MelissaE (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe it but I absolutely 100% agree with bjnemp right now.

What a disgusting thing to say (and imply). People like madpoet make me wonder how they are called Christian when they so blatantly divert from it at any given opportunity.

Posted by emporialifer (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Bj as well. I was also greatly offended by mad's quick judgment that their marriage will not last. Give them a chance. I've known people in my lifetime who got married based on the same reason and they have some of the strongest marriages I've ever witnessed. I've seen the exact opposite as well, but why jump to that negative conclusion.

Are we sure mad considers him/herself a Christian? I guess being a Christian is just like any other label - some people fake it or do not hold to the ideals of the label (whatever those are depending on who you talk to). I could say I'm affiliated with a specific political group, but I might agree with the other side on certain things more than with my own. It happens with basically everything.

I am so far from perfect and I do catch myself judging people, but two things I try to remind myself of when I catch myself doing that are:
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged!
and
Let He Who is Without Sin Cast the First Stone