Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=issue&id=56
The Oxford English Dictionary defines schizophrenia as "a mental disease marked by disconnection between thoughts, feelings and actions, frequently with delusions and retreat from social life". Everyone agrees that schizophrenia is very serious disorder. Splitting one's thoughts, emotions and actions is bad for you. The end result can be confusion,...
'His addiction to pornography destroyed our marriage.' 'My three year old daughter was raped and violated in every way you can imagine by a twelve year old boy addicted to pornography.' 'My addiction has lasted for 25 years, and has robbed me of my self worth.'[1] These dramatic comments have...
Homosexuality - 'being sexually attracted only by members of one's own sex' according to the Oxford Dictionary. Unfortunately, behavioural scientists tell us that this definition is too simplistic. Sexuality is a complex matter: many people are not exclusive in their sexual inclinations. A classification system,[1] devised in the 1940s by...
Four million abortions have been performed in Britain since the passing of the Abortion Act in 1967. There is now one abortion for every four live births. The typical woman having an abortion today is single, under 25 and in her first pregnancy. In 98.6% of cases the justification given...
As Nigel Williams remarked, the internet has become a prolific and easily accessible source of pornography. On the other hand, it can also provide resources to help combat this growing trend. There are now several software censors that will block sites on a 'prohibited' list maintained by the software company....
An uninspiring title and a dull cover put the Christian principle 'don't judge' to the test. The only initial attraction of this book was the sub-title, 'The true story of a rare illness'. Within was a book which not only filled an unexpected hour in New Street Station but kept...
An infectious agent appears most likely, especially as siege camps were notorious for poor sanitation and polluted water supplies. One possibility is a virus. In 1918 an influenza epidemic caused 20 million deaths world-wide, almost more than the number of fatalities in World War I. Viral haemorrhagic fevers such as...
Nitpickerus: What's all this talk about Christian minds? I thought that faith was a matter of the heart. Isn't it primarily about our passions and emotions? Dionysius: Well, if our Christianity doesn't stir deep feelings in us, then there's something seriously wrong. God displays emotions. Jesus wept,[1] got angry,[2] was...
Constructing a moral framework within which to operate is never an easy task. Where should we begin: from our own reasoning, from peer group standards, from public opinion or ethical codes for medical practice? Dionysius in this issue highlights the dangers of all of these and points us back toward...
Answers Under Old Testament Law, if two men were fighting and the wife of one grabbed her husband's assailant by the genitals, she would be punished by amputation of the hand (Dt 25:11-12). Job believed that God had handed him over to evil men who, like archers, had 'pierced' his...
Two lads in the sun (being well poached) Were once, by their father, approached After chatting awhile, it transpired (with a smile) That the subject of chores was then broached The first one responded with zest And promised to rise from his rest But being distracted, spoke not as he acted And ended up failing the...
Latest attempts to legalise euthanasia Moves to enable 'late' and 'lunchtime' abortions New developments in the treatment and diagnosis of HIV/AIDS Western Countries introduce smoking bans and restrict tobacco advertising Moves to regulate acupuncture and homeopathy Japan and Italy aim to smooth organ transplantation New techniques for neonatal surgery New...
