In recent years, measles was virtually eradicated through the use of vaccines.\u00a0 The same can be said for illnesses such as polio and whooping cough.\u00a0 So why is it that within the past year we’ve seen diseases like measles suddenly reemerge \u2013 an illness which has been proven to be deadly in some children?<\/p>\n
In recent reports, it is being suggested that the resurgence of these diseases is partially as a result of parents electing not to immunize their children.\u00a0 It is suspected by some that vaccines may be the root cause of other life-affecting conditions, most notably autism.\u00a0 And in an effort to prevent or minimize their children\u2019s chances of experiencing a life with autism, some parents are saying no to vaccines altogether.<\/p>\n
The debate is a heated one, and profound arguments are made on both sides of the fence.\u00a0 \u00a0Do we want to live in a world where our ability to choose is taken away or restricted?\u00a0 How does the choice to not vaccinate your child affect the lives of those around them?\u00a0 Whose choice does it become when the consequences, which can be deadly, are shared unknowingly by others?<\/p>\n
Perhaps the ground-level consideration here for everyone to think about and talk about is what is our responsibility when it comes to the illnesses and diseases we are finding ourselves faced with. \u00a0There are some who believe that God intends for us to be subjected to painful life-threatening diseases and conditions, depending on how \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d we are.\u00a0 There are some who believe that the diseases we are experiencing are as a result of the way we interact with our environment with harmful chemicals and pollutants and the processed foods we place into our bodies.<\/p>\n
So how did we get to this juncture?\u00a0 Are the immunizations hurting us or helping us?\u00a0 Is the way we are polluting our air and water contributing to the ailments we are facing?\u00a0 Are the foods we are ingesting clean and natural, or are they laden with chemicals and preservatives?\u00a0 Are we moving our bodies and exercising our hearts or are we allowing our muscles to atrophy and our bodies to become overweight?<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know who or what is \u201cat fault\u201d for polio or measles or autism.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how the medicines we are injecting into our bodies are affecting us at other levels.\u00a0 Right now, a mammogram is the best tool we have for detecting breast cancer; yet there are many who are convinced that mammograms are actually causing breast cancer.\u00a0\u00a0 Which is it?\u00a0 How are we to know?\u00a0 How are we to choose?<\/p>\n
The messages of Conversations with God<\/em>\u00a0tell us that our bodies were designed to live “a great deal longer” than the 50 to 80 years we typically see….”infinitely longer<\/em>.” \u00a0 And when I think about the vastness and intricate perfection of the universe in which we live, I am convinced that this is so.<\/p>\n My son is a young adult now, and, yes, he is vaccinated.\u00a0 And, I, too, am vaccinated.\u00a0 But I am wondering if I were faced with the choice today, with a young child, might I choose differently? \u00a0\u00a0What about you?\u00a0 \u00a0How does your spirituality interplay with modern medicine?\u00a0 How does modern medicine interplay with your spirituality?\u00a0 When it comes to making important life decisions like this, what do you draw upon for your wisdom?\u00a0 I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about this.<\/p>\n