First Do No Harm

The phrase ‘First Do No Harm’ has often been attributed to he Hippocratic Oath, an oath historically taken by physicians. It is one of the most widely known of ancient Greek medical texts. In its original form, it requires a new physician to swear, by several healing Gods, to uphold specific ethical standards.  Yet paradoxically, even as the modern oath's use has changed, its content has backed away from the classical oath's basic creeds.

According to a 1993 survey of 150 U.S. and Canadian medical schools, for example, only 14 percent of modern oaths prohibit euthanasia, 11 percent hold covenant with a deity, 8 percent reject abortion, and a mere 3 percent forbid sexual contact with patients—all original promises held sacred in the classical version.

The original calls for free tuition for medical students and for doctors never to "use the knife" (that is, conduct surgical procedures)—both obviously out of step with modern-day practice. Perhaps most telling, while the classical oath calls for "the opposite" of pleasure and fame for those who transgress the oath, fewer than half of oaths taken today insist the taker be held accountable for keeping the pledge.

Indeed, a growing number of physicians have come to feel that the Hippocratic Oath is not necessary in today’s society – and I believe this to be the truth, when I read the current news reports of the day.

Along with classical writings, is another, but more modern, professional writing by Henry Campbell Black (1860-1927) that defines in general terms, various legal terms.  Black’s Law Dictionary is an authority on legal definitions:

PREMEDITATED MURDER

the term that is used to describe a murder of a human being that was planned in advance and was carried out willfully.

Next, a more important than the foregoing, a writing from the authority of God, from Exodus 20:13 YOU SHALL NOT MURDER.

As you may know, the State of New York passed recent legislation that permits abortion up to and throughout the 9^th month of pregnancy, even if the mother has gone into labor.  In celebration of this legislation, various buildings and bridges in New York City, were bathed in pink lights on the evening that the Governor signed the Bill into law.  The most notable was the tall World Trade Center Building, as if to extend a giant middle finger to God and all that is decent.

As if not to be out done, the State of Virginia has a Bill before them that would allow a child that has been born, to be killed after delivery; and the Governor of the State of Virginia not only supports this Bill but has gone on record saying “for the physical, mental and emotional health of the mother, the newborn, would be made comfortable and given hydration, until the Doctor and the mother decide to make the decision whether to abort”.  Abort????  How does one abort a new born baby???  And, in my mind, to make matters worse – the Governor of the State of Virginia is a former Pediatric Neurologist!!!!   The Governor of New York is a practicing Roman Catholic, whose church is (other than some members) is opposed to not only abortion – but the intentional murder of any living person, as prescribed in the Bible!!!  EXODUS 20;13 YOU SHALL NOT MURDER. 

Before you start judging the Catholic Church, this is not an uncommon position taken by many Christians and Jews throughout this Nation – Abortion is OK because this is not a person it’s just a fetus? 

Yes indeed, it is a fetus, with a heart that pumps blood, a brain that has electrical impulses, body parts such as little fingers and little toes.  This non-human is developing muscles, veins, bones, lungs, eyes and ears!  Not a person?  Several other states have pending legislation that will, if passed, allow some sort of intentional murder, up to and including the 9^th month and even final stages of pregnancy!

 What has gone wrong in this society?

The latest statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), shows that in 2015 (they’re always a few years behind) there were 638,169 reported abortions in the United States, which equates to 11.8 murders of children per every 1,000 live births – and these statistics do not included States that did not report or illegal termination of lives!

Abortion Statistics for the top 5 States:

Florida – 72,203

New York – 63,646

Texas – 53,940

Illinois – 39,856

Pennsylvania – 31,818

The fewest abortions – South Dakota – 444.  I would have thought that Utah might have been the fewest, but they had 3,176

Washington State – 17,098

Let those numbers sink in for a moment!  This is not a political issue, nor is it a Democrat vs Republican issue.    In my opinion, this is a MORAL issue that is so great I see it as the spitting in the Face of Our God!  It is a clear choosing to not just ignore Scripture, the law of the land and the first charge of every medical practitioner,  but is an open declaration that “nobody has any business telling me what I can or can’t do”, which of course is a lie that many people tell themselves.

We have come to the point where much of the medical community in the United States has forsaken the basic tenet to First Do No Harm, along with several other noble and proud promises made by Doctors of the past.  We have come to the point in the Legal community where the strict definition of a law is not just ignored but is changed because it has become too difficult to enforce, so we now legalize the use of murder.

We have come to the point in our religious communities where the Word of God is just words, stories and examples, not truth or fact.  In so much of the Religious community – Christians and Jews, use the phrase “god will understand” or they teach such a watered down version of the Scripture that their once houses of worship have become entertainment centers, where what you believe is not as important as what you can do financially or physically for the church or synagogue.  It is no wonder people are giving up on religion.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have come too far.  We claim that God is long suffering but I’m here to tell you that God will not withhold His wrath and punishment forever.  This Nation will pay for this horrific transgression; I can’t believe that our God will let this continue much longer…and I don’t blame Him.  Where does it stop?  

In Washington State, in 2015, there were 17,098 reported abortions.  In 2015 the total population of Centralia, Washington (where I live) was 17,216.  So in 2015 nearly, the population of an entire small city was murdered by those ignoring their medical oath, the laws of the United States and the Commandments of God.  If that doesn’t bring some up-whelming emotions within you right now, trust me – it will eventually.