We need Jesus!

The depravity of this world tells us that we need Jesus more!

I have found a love that is greater than myself.

And that love is most shown through working for the welfare of others.

This then can be called Christian love.

Trial for screening of IVF embryos is eugenic

This letter was sent to ST Forum but was not published.

Scientifically and medically, the embryo is at every stage of its development a human being. Pre-implantation genetic screening is in reality a "search and destroy" mission, the modern face of eugenics ("Trial for screening IVF embryos to start soon" ; 11 Nov). 

According to Dr Christopher Chong, this screening can potentially reduce the number of abnormal babies, miscarriages, failures, reduce trauma for mothers as they can find out before pregnancy, compared to the anguish of discovering it during pregnancy over even after delivery. 

A human life would be eliminated when it fails the quality control. Isn't this based on parental and societal preference, just that the characteristic 'gender' has been replaced by 'degree of perfection'? 

Who will now leave their children's lives to nature's chance if defective genes can be detected in the laboratory? 

Furthermore, if chromosomal abnormalities account for more than half the miscarriages that occur, then the problem lies with this Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) that goes against our natural body working. ART treatments not only pose ethical difficulties but is also intrinsically harmful to children conceived through it.  

The principle of freedom of conscience also requires that the government refrain from channelling the tax proceeds of those who conscientiously object to IVF into the procedure. 

 

Lastly, as a woman born with brittle bones, a genetic disorder, I testify to a life of resilience that comes from having a disability. My family, especially my late mother never regretted my birth.

Like what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, with many helping hands, persons with special needs can live full and worthwhile lives. No one deserves to be written off.

Teachers in upskirt video case need support too

As an educator, I empathise with the six teachers involved in the case of the boys found guilty of taking upskirt videos ("Upskirt video case: School 'right' not to go straight to police"; Monday).

I appreciate the teachers for forgiving the 30 students involved, even though they have every right to report them to the police, as this is no ordinary disciplinary issue but a criminal offence. A police warning would carry more weight and act as a greater deterrent.

These teachers, too, need support from their family and the school. Let us not be too quick to defend these young offenders. There may be many factors that contributed to this case, but there is no justification for the offence committed.

We should seek to uncover and address the root causes of the offence, which could be wrong values inculcated, a lack of proper guidance at home, undesirable peer pressure, pornography and so on.

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/teachers-in-upskirt-video-case-need-support-too

Original letter

As fellow educators, I grieve with these six teachers; the victims in a secondary school's upskirt video case (Upskirt video case : School 'right' not to go straight to police,say parents, 31 Oct).

I thank them for forgiving these 30 students, though they have every right to report to the police as this is no ordinary disciplinary issue but a criminal offence that warrants a jail term. As such, a police warning would carry more weight and acts as a greater deterrence.

This is not just a case of insulting the modesty of women, but a rebellion against authority and a total disregard for the teachers involved.

It is disappointing that no teacher has been interviewed in this article. In caring for our young, let us not forget these six teachers who have to endure the humiliation that is not theirs. They too need tremendous support from their family and the school in this trying time.

Let us not be too quick to defend these young offenders. There can be many factors that contribute to this case but there is no justification for the offence committed.

In defending them, we are doing a great disservice to them. We should seek to uncover and address the root causes of the offence, which can be wrong values inculcated, no proper guidance at home, undesirable peer pressure, rebellion, pornography etc.

It has been said that the young today are 'fragile' and therefore we must treat them sensitively. Understanding that the standards of the law do not change will put us in perspective.

We should do our part to provide the love and care that every child need, revealing the truth that every wrong action comes with great consequences.

To spare our children from being disciplined by the law, let us be vigilant in molding our young today.

Help the distressed work towards a purpose-driven life

I concur with the writer of “Step up suicide prevention efforts, not just intervention” (Nov 2) that death has been romanticised, an observation we cannot overlook if we are to arrest the rising suicide rate, especially among the young.

It is not uncommon for youngsters speaking their mind on social media to praise someone who committed suicide as braver than those who think of suicide but do not do it.

I have even heard adults saying the same thing, which is hurting to the family members left behind.

To stay alive to try and overcome seemingly overwhelming circumstances is more courageous and fruitful than to kill oneself on impulse.

I once attempted suicide and am thankful that I failed. I did not foresee the abundant life I have now.

My pain was real, but my reality was warped. I was not in the best state to assess the situation because I was swamped with negative feelings.

Feelings are not the best indicator of circumstances. In fact, they complicate and make a situation worse than it really is.

It is not unusual to have suicidal thoughts when life takes a sharp turn. What is crucial is what we do with these thoughts, which do not go away by distracting oneself with activities such as yoga and meditation.

That cannot address the helplessness within. Our mind is like a battlefield, and unless we guard it with the right belief system, we will succumb to defeatist thoughts.

The mind needs to be renewed and to recognise that one’s worth is not tied to one’s achievements, that life cannot always be plain sailing and that one cannot always get what one wants.

My faith informs my belief system and arms me with values that make me realise that by helping others, I am no longer helpless. I recognised that my problem was not the biggest.

Let us help the distressed visualise and work towards the purpose-driven life they are meant to have. That is the success of suicide prevention.
http://www.todayonline.com/voices/help-distressed-work-towards-purpose-driven-life

An open letter to PM Lee on true inclusiveness

Dear Mr Lee,

I thank God for your excellent health today, having seen you taken ill during the National Day Rally.

Your tenacity and perseverance to finish the speech in spite of your condition makes you a leader by example. 

I thank you for your support for The Purple Parade each year and the diligent effort of the government towards a barrier-free Singapore for people with disabilities (PWD). 

You said that with many helping hands, persons with special needs can live full and worthwhile lives.

I can't agree more because I am one of them.

On the day you were inaugurated as PM, you have declared to support this special community.

I thank you and all who have worked towards building a society where abilities are celebrated.

Truly, we have not shifted from focusing on a person's contribution to the society.

There are many PWD who have severe disabilities and it is a fact that they will not be able to contribute to our society in the way we would have wanted.

I am blessed to be alive because of good family support, the help of voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs) and the larger community.

I can now live a full and worthwhile life because of the many helping hands approach.

I am alive but I cannot say the same for other babies diagnosed with structural abnormalities.

During the spread of the Zika virus, abortion was readily pushed out as an option when no one can confirm that the baby with Zika virus would have microcephaly.

Even if the child is born with microcephaly, he is not unlike any child with a severe disability, deserving love, care and support like any other children without any disability. 

The Zika virus scare manifests the deep-rooted fear and misconceptions of disability.

On one hand, we celebrate the achievements of PWD and rightly so.

On the other hand, we are quick to dish out abortion to eliminate babies born with structural abnormalities.

It is the height of double standards to appeal to the routine foetal scan that is performed at 20 weeks gestational age to pick up structural abnormalities so that parents would have some time to "consider the implications and make an informed decision as to whether to keep or abort the child" as the reason for keeping the 24-week limit for abortion.

I remember myself crying when I first got to know that the contents of pre-abortion counselling is adapted for women diagnosed with foetal abnormalities.

Mr Lee, why is there no consistency in building an inclusive society, starting with the unborn?

Don't such parents deserve the same support from our government and the community?

It is a tragedy when our value as a human being is merely economic, rather than recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every human life.

We will grow old, grow weak and may have accidents in life that make us unable to contribute to our society.

What then?

Do we trash ourselves in this throw-away culture that we choose to create?

I'm just a common citizen with no power, no fame, no status, no great achievement by the world's standards.

I have nothing to gain by speaking up for the voiceless.

I don't even know if you will get to read this letter but one thing I know, I cannot celebrate The Purple Parade, knowing that this inconsistency costs lives.

Let's wake up to this reality that discrimination is real for the unborn with structural abnormalities and that we do something about it.
We should have divine discontent in any matter that concerns life and death.

For those who determine that people with severe disabilities are better off being dead, I encourage you to watch The Drop Box movie.

Thank you Mr Lee for reading this long letter.

I believe in a government that is not hypocritical.

As the former President of the United States Thomas Jefferson rightly said, "The care of human life and not its destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government."

I sincerely hope that all the unborn will have equal opportunity to live in this place we call home.
Jesus bless you and I will pray for you.

Yours sincerely,

Serene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTQ2VTf5vWc