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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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Turning the other cheek - and saying “Amen” |
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- by Jeff McCaffrey
Editor’s note: Jeff McCaffrey is a student at the Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he organized a chapter of the Student Society for Stem Cell Research. Previously, Jeff was a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy until he suffered a spinal cord injury, paralyzing him below the waist. He was selected to participate in the American Association of People with Disabilities Congressional internship program and served on Capitol Hill in Sen. Mike Enzi's office, with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee. Jeff is a speaker for the Think First Foundation, a brain and spinal cord injury prevention program. He is a volunteer Laboratory Technician for Dr. Peter Baumann at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and a student member of the Kansas City-based Center for Practical Bioethics. Jeff is a spokesperson for Missouri’s Amendment 2.
November 4, 2006
I do wish to preface my comments by saying two things for the record. First, I attended that meeting out of respect to a woman from the KC-St. Joseph Archdiocese who requested I attend. I was not there to argue, debate or persuade, just to listen. And that's exactly what I did. Second, I have never once questioned the intentions or integrity of the opponents of amendment 2, only their judgment.
I was respectful and cordial, but I'm sorry I can't say the same about “the opposition.” During that meeting, Dr. Holly Beth Austin, the anti-stem cell research physician, recognized me. She disingenuously and cruelly singled me out, putting my integrity on trial simply because I support embryonic stem cell research and Amendment 2.
I have been a part of the Amendment 2 campaign for 22 months and have participated in a variety of endeavors, some good, some bad, and now, sadly, some ugly. In all the discussions and debates I’ve participated in, none came remotely close to the level of animosity, volatility and sheer hatred that I experienced at this meeting, even though I was simply an invited and silent guest.
People of good faith can agree to disagree. We can, and often do, come to different conclusions regarding socially controversial issues in today’s society. Embryonic stem cell research is no exception. But to attack my character and integrity based on my support for this Amendment - exactly what happened at this meeting - was flat out wrong.
It is beyond my comprehension that a group of people can come together at a meeting and tout their righteousness and morality, and yet be so hostile and demeaning toward individuals who simply have a different opinion.
Jason Jones, a human rights activist and a speaker at this public forum, continued the bashing, saying many repugnant things about me and some others. He summarized that “Those who support Amendment 2 are either evil or ignorant.”
So what does this say of the Nobel laureates who support the measure? How about the more than 2000 medical practitioners? And what of our educational and research institutions? Certainly he could not claim that they would fall into the “ignorant” category so, at least in his mind, they must all be “evil.”
Jones also made reference to “absolute truths.” In this, our complex world, I'm sure there are many absolute truths. I, too, embrace life with some certainties. For instance, I do know this: There is a God, and God alone will be the final judge of our actions. And in knowing that, I take all the comfort in the world in supporting amendment 2.
As demeaning as my experience was at that meeting, as disgusted as I was while politely listening to remarks intended to mislead or obfuscate, I still felt oddly and peacefully grateful. I was grateful for their reminding me why I must continue to fight for Amendment 2; why I must continue to provide facts and truth. I must do so to counteract the lies and deceit others spread. I was grateful for being reminded of the beauty in religious diversity, that God and religion are not bureaucracies of ‘one size fits all.’
Yes, people of good faith can agree to disagree regarding particular issues in society, but attacks of character, integrity and intent is totally counter to the beliefs I hold.
Religious leaders, including the Bishops of Catholic Dioceses of Missouri, have pulled out all the stops in attempting to derail this Amendment. That’s fine up to a point. But they have allowed, if not promoted, the vilification of those who disagree with them. They have shared the stage with a man who has publicly proclaimed that if you support Amendment 2, “God hates you.” How can those charged with the noble cause of serving God say such a thing, or provide tacit approval by standing shoulder to shoulder with those who do?
They have preached that ‘the ends never justify the means.’ Yet when it comes to embryonic stem cell research, they hide behind a double standard. It appears that their means, no matter how volatile and disturbing, justify their desired end result. This includes publicly lying about the implications of the Amendment, demonizing scientists and medical researchers, sending letters of hate to clergy leaders who disagree with them, and striking upon fellow parishioners for supporting Amendment 2 with a misplaced threat of the wrath of God. As a man of faith it is most troubling to have been witness to all of this.
As a lifelong Catholic with a deep belief in God, a dream of a better world, and the hope of one day walking again, I will still vote YES on Amendment 2. I will do so with a clear conscience. I will do so without ever feeling compelled to confess my vote to Bishop Finn as if it were a sin.
To the contrary, I will attest to it proudly. I will declare it because it was God who gave me the gift of discernment - and I will not yield it to any religious leader who would attempt to strip me of God’s gift or expect me to relinquish it upon request.
I encourage decent Missourians to stand up to the unorthodox and ghastly abuse of power we’ve witnessed by some religious leaders. We can do so by thoughtfully deciding for ourselves based upon careful study of Amendment 2, based upon all its implications, based upon all its potential ramifications and, above all, based upon truth.
Whether we vote Yes or No, let us all do exactly that.
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Jeff McCaffrey, who suffered a spinal cord injury and his 10 year old cousin, Jackson Jobeun, who has Juvenile Diabetes. |
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