Uncategorized

NEWS LETTER

OUR LEGAL CORNER:dfl 5 Pornography case:

We rejoice that the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein has rejected ODM (TopTV)’s application for leave to appeal. We are informed that ODM has decided not to challenge on the courts decision in the Constitutional court. The result is that they have ceased broadcasting pornography. We are waiting in anticipation to see whether ODM, which is under judicial management due to trading at a loss in the past year, will re-apply to ICASA for a licence to broadcast “adult material”. If they do, we are prepared this time and know what the court requires to oppose an application for such a licence.

Euthanasia case:dfl 6

We are saddened that the judge so easily and quickly (within a few days of the application made by Mr Stansham-Ford) granted him the relief sought for; i.e. that he may by assisted in his suicide by a medical doctor, even though the applicant died of a natural death the day before the court gave its decision. This has now created an unfortunate and dangerous precedent in law and DFL as well as the National Prosecuting Authority will be challenging this decision, either in the Supreme Court of Appeal, but more than likely in the Constitutional Court, as constitutional issues (especially the right to human dignity, which the applicant relied on) will be adjudicated upon and its proper context argued and examined.

The pornography dilemma dfl 7  Research done by Ms Antoinette Basson (BMR Research Consultant and Psychologist) at the Youth Research Flagship Program of the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), hosted by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR), showed alarming facts about the escalation of child pornography in South Africa. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with incarcerated sex offenders who had committed a sexual offence against a child (any person under the age of 18 years) and who had reported exposure to pornographic material prior to the offence. The study was extended to correctional centers located in three major metropolitan areas within South Africa, namely Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The following key research findings emerging from the analysis are presented below:
  • Pornographic material has become easily accessible mainly due to the development of technology, more specifically the Internet and cellular telephones.
  • Participants displayed commonalities with regard to certain personality traits, dysfunctional family environments and abuse.
  • The participants experienced emotional, physical and sexual abuse of which the latter was the most prominent.
  • Participants were initially exposed to pornographic material at a young age through their peers or family members.
  • Participants developed a preoccupation with pornography and progression in their viewing behavior.
  • The effect of pornographic material on human behavior involves a complex combination of physical, cognitive, emotive and behavioral aspects.
  • The participants emphasized that they became addicted to pornographic material and could not control the effects of pornographic material on them as individuals.
  • The viewing of pornographic material over time had various consequences related to their personal lives and criminal behavior.
  • Almost all participants were adamant that the viewing of pornography motivated them to commit sexual offences involving children due to the effect of exposure to sexually explicit images.
  • Participants expressed concern with regard to their release back into society and fear of re-committing, especially due to the easy availability of pornographic material.
For more information Me Antoinette Basson may be contacted at bassoa@unisa.ac.za. Video release Doctor’s for Life has released a new video on pornography – “Pornography: The Battle for your Soul”. This captivating anti-pornography film presentation will assist school teachers, pastors and parents in teaching children about the dangers of watching or taking part in pornography. It also serves as a help to those who are tempted or are already involved in pornography or sexual acts. It details the latest scientific evidence showing how pornography is chemically and physically addictive, progressive, and harmful to children. http://www.rootshosting.co.za/docforlife/pornography-battle-soul-movie-trailer/ A personal testimony  I was 12 years old the first time I viewed pornography in a public restroom in a medical complex. I was there with my mother for a doctor’s appointment. I took the half a dozen glossy porn pages torn from a magazine. Later that night, I masturbated for the first time. I was hooked – right there and then – instantly.  My father had abandoned us and masturbation made me feel good. I hid those pages in my room and returned to them nightly. I had no idea of the damage I was causing to my soul and spirit, and the separation I was implementing between myself, my family and many other things. I was setting myself up for disaster but I couldn’t stop even though I wanted to. I prayed and asked God to forgive me and help me to stop. I even threw away those cherished pages, but it was too late. Those images were forever etched in my mind. I also discovered that, even though the law required me to be eighteen to purchase such material, the clerk at the convenience store did not. Sexual acting out became an obsession and I lost interest in almost everything else. My goals did not revolve around grades or sports or such “normal” pursuits but instead on sexual conquests – losing my virginity became the number one focus in my life. I did so at the age of sixteen. The girl became pregnant and I carried that guilt for decades. Later, I moved my addiction from paper to the real thing. I hated myself and turned to alcohol. I longed for a loving relationship but had no idea how to love or be loved. After all, if I couldn’t love myself, how could I expect anyone else to? I tried many ways to be free from porn but all of my efforts lasted only a very short while. At 26, I met a beautiful young lady and we dated for several months before we got married.   I was relieved. At last I could leave all the porn in the past. But after years of inappropriate sexual behavior I had conditioned myself into the subconscious belief that sex was bad, even evil. So where I should have been experiencing joy, I was feeling guilt. To make a long story short, we separated. Just after the divorce I needed surgery for a lump under my right arm. I was scared, very scared that I might not make it through surgery and I was determined to stop my porn habit.  I earnestly looked for help and followed up my sincerity with action. That night I went home and threw away my porn. After intensive counselling with a professional counselor I was eventually delivered but not after an intense battle and a willingness to speak about everything honestly and openly. I still struggle with the thousands of images which I have placed in my hearts library over the decades. I have to surrender daily and I’m fairly certain I will always have to. I wish I had never seen those images so many years ago – but I did. Now I must learn from it and help others who have been ensnared by the glossy deception of pornography. (Shortened – name withheld) LifeChild: God is providing in a wonderful way. We are so thankful that our Mthaleni Orphan Center has had new ceiling boards put up and the building plastered outside. The funds used for these developments were donated by Eskom and a few individuals. We want to thank them for sharing this responsibility with us. dfl 4 dfl 3 dfl 2 dfl 1   Aid to Africa (A2A) Outreaches 2014-2015  There are a few outreaches in the pipeline. We will report on them in the next newsletter.  LifePlace  The LifePlace team is still regularly going on outreaches to speak to prostitutes in an attempt to reach out to them. Sometimes we go out twice a week. We have about 4 ladies who have been with us for a while and going from strength to strength. One of them who was bed ridden is now moving about freely. We and are encouraged by their progress and continue reaching out to these ladies who for the most part, have only known what it means to be used and abused. It has also been on our hearts to start teaching them how to work with a sewing machine as an alternative means of generating an income, as there is so much one can do with a sewing machine. These are exciting times and we would like to thank everyone who has had a part in helping the LifePlace ladies escape a life of slavery.  Devotion Hab 3:17, 18:  “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” The Christian worldview is inherently positive. No matter how deep a person may have fallen into sin, in Christ there is hope for forgiveness. Even though man might have given up on someone, and society marked certain people as not being rehabilitatable, through Christ, there is always hope. In Habakkuk we read about circumstances that had become so bad that some may argue that the prophet’s quality of life had become too unbearable to make his life worth living. Yet, Habakkuk finds reason to rejoice. There is an element of submission while keeping the hope that God’s Word offers; a trusting in Him for healing if it is His will. On the other hand, there is an element of pride, rebellion and despair in the fatalistic attitude that promotes physician assisted suicide. Instead, it should remain the duty of the doctor to come alongside the patient, to help them to carry the burden of sickness and to relieve the suffering as much as possible, without transgressing God’s word. Euthanasia is not a “kind death” (“genade dood”, in Afrikaans). Instead it is the ultimate act of unkindness and negativity which creates a society that cannot tolerate disability and disease.]]>

Porn channel fined R25,000

Porn channel fined R25,000 for pleasing its 284 subscribers Dominic Skelton | 07 May, 2015 13:18 Digital satellite TV broadcaster StarSat got more than just a telling off by the broadcasting watchdog for continuing to show pornographic content after a court order forbade it to. SCA dismisses ODM appeal over decision to licence porn channels SCA dismisses ODM appeal over decision to licence porn channels Porn TV’s prime-time ban upheld by court Porn TV’s prime-time ban upheld by court The company was fined R25,000 by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for “knowingly” continuing the unauthorised service while its application to appeal the court’s decision had not yet been lodged. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa had allowed On Digital Media‚ which runs StarSat‚ to broadcast the pornographic content on three channels but the Western Cape High Court retracted the authorisation in November last year. StarSat admitted to continuing the service for almost four weeks during December and January in anticipation of their appeal‚ which was subsequently dismissed by the Supreme Court of Appeal. The company asked to be let off without a fine‚ saying that the service was only available on subscription and locked by two security pins. Subscribers had to prove they were over 18 years old and the service had only 284 subscribers. However‚ this only served to reduce its fine from the BCCSA’s maximum penalty of R60,000. The council of the Justice Alliance of South Africa‚ which lodged the complaint with the BCCSA‚ argued that regardless of the content and protections‚ providing an unauthorised service knowingly justified more than a reprimand. The BCCSA agreed. “A fine should be imposed to demonstrate to the respondent and other broadcasters that it is a serious contravention to broadcast without authorisation. However‚ there are circumstances that support [the approach] that the maximum should not be imposed‚” BCCSA chairman Kobus van Rooyen said. Van Rooyen said the fine of R25,000 was “sufficient to indicate the seriousness of the offence”. The BCCSA said the issue was not that pornography was broadcast but that there was broadcast without authorisation. It said the broadcasting of non-violent pornography was permitted by the Code for Subscription Broadcasters if it was branded ‘X18’. – RDM News Wire, TMG Courts and Law]]>

SAMA  Advises on Recent Court Order on Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide.

South African Medical Association (SAMA) is a non-statutory, professional association for public and private sector medical practitioners. Registered as an independent company, SAMA acts as a trade union for its public sector members and as a champion for doctors and patients. Doctors for Life International is an organisation of 1400 medical doctors, specialists and professors of medicine from Medical Faculties in South Africa and abroad. DFL provides expert evidence on various issues of medical and medical-ethical importance. Since 1991 DFL has been actively promoting sound science in the medical profession and health care that is safe and efficient for all South Africans. 48800421 On the 30th April last week, a judge in the Pretoria High Court granted an application by Advocate Stransham-Ford to be assisted by a willing and qualified medical practitioner to end his life either by the administration of a lethal agent or by providing him with the necessary agent to administer himself. In other words, the applicant was granted the legal right to die and the doctor who assisted in his demise would not be prosecuted. The High Court emphasized that the order should not be read as endorsing the proposals of the End of Life Decisions Bill in the Law Commission report of November 1998. It also highlighted that the Order applied only to this index case and that anyone who required the assistance of a medical practitioner to commit suicide would need to approach the Court and that each application would be considered on its own merits. Fortuitously, the patient had died that morning prior to the Court Order being issued. Notwithstanding the Courts decision that the medical practitioner who assisted the patient would not be held accountable criminally or civilly, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) cautions its practitioners that the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s (HPCSA) Policies nevertheless remain in force and such activities by practitioners could result in disciplinary sanctions by the HPCSA. The SAMA also highlights the value of palliative care for the relief of pain and suffering for patients who are terminally ill and stresses that pain cannot be viewed as a persuasive enough reason to resort to the extreme measure to end one’s life. Healthcare practitioners have obligations to patients in the palliative care setting and these duties extend to that of advocating for access to quality palliative care for patients who are terminally ill. The SAMA does not support the right to die in law and opposes euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide in line with the HPCSA’s Policies and the World Medical Association’s Guidelines and Codes on the subject. Prepared by the Human Rights, Law and Ethics Committee of SAMA.]]>

Porn – No Longer On SA TV.

DFL is delighted with the final outcome of the  court case against On Digital Media t/a StarSat aka TopTV.

Porn

Firstly, the challenge by DFL and 2 other applicants (CFJ and JASA) against ICASA’s decision to allow the broadcast of pornography in SA on television was upheld by Judge Lee Bozalek in the Cape High Court. Secondly, the leave to appeal by ODM was denied by Judge Bozalek on the 3 Nov 2014. This sent a strong message to those who wish to bring pornography into the public domain that there are many South Africans who strongly object to the spreading of pornography especially where there is a real danger that children will as a result be exposed to it with the resultant detrimental effects on society at large. Thirdly, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein, on the 17 March 2015, dismissed with costs the application of ODM to appeal against the Cape High Court decision. Last but not least ODM has decided not to appeal this decision to the Constitutional Court. On Digital Media ceased all broadcasts of pornographic material on 26 March 2015. All South Africans can at least know that our children will not have even more access to porn through TV. Porn is already so easily available for free via cell phones and the internet; “PORN” is the 4th most searched word on the internet by children under the age of 15. This is a shocking statistic which proves to demonstrate that a lot more needs to be done to stop this epidemic that affects all corners of society and does not discriminate between anyone, rich or poor, male or female of all race groups. The sad thing is that it will always be our children that are affected the most whether directly or indirectly – Pornography is the fuel for abusive behaviors.]]>

Doctors For Life Newsletter, Issue 9 – March. 2015

From the CEO’s desk The year 2014 ended on a victorious note for us here at Doctors for Life. It was indeed a blessed year and we are thankful towards our Heavenly Father for supplying all our needs. We indeed look forward to the many challenges ahead of us in 2015. With your support and prayers we will endeavour to fulfill our vision of helping those in need. Although we don’t live in optimistic times we are amazed at the doors that are opening up and the blessed way in which we are able to deliver services to the needy. One of the most rewarding things in life, as individuals, is to make a difference in the lives of other people, even if it means sometimes leaving our comfort zone. Obstacles seem small when we experience the rewards of our efforts. Thanks to our sponsors and other members who make it possible for us to continue with the work.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu

Our legal corner

Doctors For Life wins Court Application against Starsat and ICASA

In last year’s application which Doctors for Life (DFL) brought for the review of the granting of a license by ICASA (broadcasting authority) for three TV channels for the exclusive broadcast of pornography, judgment in the Western Cape High Court went against Online Digital Media (ODM), owner of the Starsat brand (formally TopTV) and ICASA .

Although DFL is disappointed that the judge did not find it necessary to go into the merits and desirability of airing pornography over television, about which DFL had made a case proving scientifically that pornography is physically harmful for the human brain, it is none the less pleased that the judge held that there was an error in law in the course of the procedure followed by ICASA in granting the license.

Judgment was given on 3 November 2014, the result of which is that Starsat from that date ceased to broadcast its porn channels. Its options were to resubmit its license application to ICASA or lodge an appeal against the court’s decision. It decided to do the latter and an application for leave to appeal was brought before the judge in the same court, which application was strenuously opposed by DFL’s legal team. On 10 December 2014 the judge dismissed the application with costs.

However, Starsat is not giving up; it has launched a petition to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein where it hopes that the Appeal Court will allow it to appeal the Western Cape Court’s decision. As at publishing this newsletter, documents are being drafted by DFL’s legal team to oppose the petition. In the meantime, the legal team is also investigating the legality of continued broadcasting of the porn channels while Starsat is petitioning the appeal court.

Should the appeal court grant Starsat leave to appeal, we shall be faced with a full appeal in the Supreme Court of Appeal with the legal team transferring its endeavors to Bloemfontein. Please continue to pray for victory against this evil. DFL’s legal team consisted of Advocates Reg Willis and Albert Mooij, as instructed by attorney S J M Schneider assisted by Naomi Marais.

The pornography debate

A large segment of the population has serious concerns about the effects of pornography in society and challenges its public use and acceptance. There are many different opinions but one consistent finding is that adults prefer to have the material restricted from children, the production of it as well as the use of it. To produce pornography you need actors and in this case children are used. The vast majority of children who appear in child pornography have not been abducted or physically forced to participate. [1] In most cases they know the producer—it may even be their father—and are manipulated into taking part by more subtle means. Nevertheless, to be the subject of child pornography can have devastating physical, social, and psychological effects on children.[2]

The children portrayed in child pornography are first victimized when their abuse is perpetrated and recorded. They are further victimized each time that record is accessed. In one study,[3] 100 victims of child pornography were interviewed about the effects of their exploitation—at the time it occurred and in later years. Referring to when the abuse was taking place, victims described the physical pain (e.g., around the genitals), accompanying somatic symptoms (such as headaches, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness), and feelings of psychological distress (emotional isolation, anxiety, and fear). However, most also felt a pressure to cooperate with the offender and not to disclose the offense, both out of loyalty to the offender and a sense of shame about their own behavior. Only five cases were ultimately reported to authorities. In later years, the victims reported that initial feelings of shame and anxiety did not fade but intensified to feelings of deep despair, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Their experience had provided them with a distorted model of sexuality, and many had particular difficulties in establishing and maintaining healthy emotional and sexual relationships.

For more information go to the following website: http://www.popcenter.org/problems/child_pornography/2

1. Lanning, K. V., & Burgess, A. W. (1989). Child pornography and sex rings. In D. Z. J. Bryant (Ed.), Pornography: Research advances and policy considerations (pp. 235–255). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

2. Klain, E.J., Davies, H.J. and Hicks, M.A. (2001) American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

3. Silbert (1989). The Psychology of Cyber Crime: Concepts and Principles: Concepts and Principles, edited by Kirwan, Gráinne. November 30, 2011.

Abortion: things they never tell us

The abortion debate is the ongoing controversy surrounding the moral and legal status of abortion. The two main groups involved in the abortion debate are the self-described “pro-choice” movement (emphasizing the right of women to choose whether to abort a pregnancy or to grow it to term) and the self-described “pro-life” movement (emphasizing the right of the embryo or fetus to gestate and be born). Both of these ascription’s are considered loaded terms in mainstream media where terms such as “abortion rights” or “anti-abortion” are generally preferred.[1] Each movement has, with varying results, sought to influence public opinion and to attain legal support for its position, with small numbers of anti-abortion advocates sometimes using violence.

Abortion law varies between jurisdictions. For example, in Canada abortion is available to women without any legal restrictions,[2] while in Ireland abortions are illegal except when a woman’s life is at imminent risk[3] and Chile bans abortion with no exception for the life of the pregnant woman.[4]

The emotional and psychological effect on women who has, had an abortion often outweighs the immediate physical advantages experienced by such women. Some regret the abortion soon after it has happened and some only years after the abortion.

The following is a list of potential emotional and psychological side effects of an abortion. The intensity or duration of these effects will vary from one person to another. Potential side effects include: [5]

  • Regret
  • Anger
  • Guilty feelings
  • Shame
  • Sense of loneliness or isolation
  • Loss of self confidence
  • Insomnia or nightmares
  • Relationship issues
  • Suicidal thoughts and feelings
  • Eating disorders
  • Depression

For more information visit the following webpage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_debate

1. Wall Street Journal style guide: Vol. 23, No. 1. Wall Street Journal. 2010-01-31. Retrieved 2011-11-04. 

2. Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2007-05-01. (1) the right of a woman to have an abortion during the first six months of a pregnancy; (2) an abortion performed on a woman solely at her own request 

3. Divisions deep over abortion ban. BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-30.

4. Abortion Policies: A Global Review, UN

5. Adler, Nancy. (1989) University of California at San Francisco, Statement on Behalf of the

American Psychological Association before the Human Resources and Intergovernmental Relations

Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Operations, U.S. House of Representatives:

130-140.

A personal testimony

About 3 months ago I was asked to visit a family that lives about 40 to 50 km away from Sehane/Zavora in Mozambique. The family was inquiring about the Gospel. They are related to a family that comes to our services. We arranged for a specific day and arrived a little late. The place is on the Southern side of the Poelela Lake in the bush. When we arrived there were a great number of people. They were just starting to eat. We were greeted very warmly and they invited us to eat with them. After the meal the leader of the family told me he had invited all his close family and friends and that they were ready to hear what God had to say to them. This was very special and a few people came for help after the service. I visited them again just before I came to South Africa and they have also started to visit us. There are many spiritual needs in these areas. As far as I am concerned the greatest problem is poverty and it is mostly caused by ancestor worship and witchcraft. Regarding our needs at the Clinic we are in need of a Christian medical doctor and nursing sisters. There are people interested. We will see how the Lord leads We also need volunteers that can help with general maintenance work. Mario Rocha, permanent DFL worker stationed at Zavora clinic

Aid to Africa (A2A) Outreaches 2014-2015

Our medical outreach program, Aid to Africa, seems to have a full year ahead. But first we would like to give some feedback on 2014. By God’s grace we were able to reach 5 needy areas in neighboring countries with the main focus on eye surgery:004

1. Inhambane in Mozambique

2. Maun (and Ghantsi) in Botswana

3. Nambazo in Malawi

4. Mbonchera in Malawi

5. Muvamba in Mozambique

Altogether we performed 423 surgical procedures (an annual record) of which most were cataract surgery on blind people. 652 prescription eye glasses were handed out and 212 internal medicine examinations (GP examinations) could be performed. We have on record an estimated 1889 eye examinations that were done. Due to intensive eye campaigns done in Botswana and Mozambique there were many more examinations but we do not have a record of all of them because we did not received the stats from the governments involved.

AT our Zavora clinic and Maternity ward in Mozambique we examined and treated roughly 18 391 patients compared to only 12 916 during 2013. Of these most were malaria cases (3594). We also had about 231 babies delivered bringing the total to about 889 since the opening of the clinic.

During 2014 we also were able to source an A-scan, Keratometer and Autorefractor in order to do biometry during the cataract surgery camps. We also received another eye microscope for eye surgery.

Looking at 2015, March has been put aside for medical congress exhibitions where DFL has an opportunity to recruit volunteers for this year’s medical outreaches. The congresses include the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (OSSA), and for the first time The South African Dental Association (SADA), both at the ICC in Durban. As in the past, we also hope to attend the South African Medical Association (SAMA) later in the year. Please come to visit our booth if you are there.

While our Zavora clinic and maternity ward continues to operate in Mozambique we are desperately in need of medical volunteers to help there. We currently don’t have someone there accept for the local Mozambique staff. We especially need nurses, midwives and GP’s. Please contact us if you are interested or know of someone who might be.

We are also planning at least 4 short term medical outreaches for 2015 with the first one in July to Malawi. Although the focus will be eye surgery we are also looking for dentists and GP’s to join us.

Next in line is an eye surgery camp in Xai-Xai in Mozambique where we hope to do about 100 cataract operations. Later in the year in about October and November we hope to reach remote areas in Zambia, Angola or Botswana. If you are interested in getting involved in any of these please let us know.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Devotion

In Genesis 27:30: we read that Esau said …………. “Please, father, sit up and eat some of the meat that I have brought you, so that you can give me your blessing.”

Esau had a strange way about him. He kept honoring the faith of his fathers in the sense that he did not go to the idols for a blessing. At least not as far as we know. No, he went to his father Isaac. And he was quite desperate for it, in the sense that he cried out loud and wept in order to get it. But there was another side to Esau. When it came to marriage he wanted to select a girl after his own liking and not after God’s guidance. We read that it grieved Isaac and Rebecca that he chose a wife from the Hittites. Therefore the Bible calls him profane. Throughout his life he intimated that he neither desired the blessing nor dreaded the curse of God. To be profane is to combine the sacred and the blasphemous. He wanted the Lord’s blessing while living his life as he choose. Esau is a typical example of the generation of today. May the Lord grant us the grace to be different. To live lives that are holy and totally surrendered to God’s will. What were our lives like during the previous year and what about 2015?

About Doctors For life

[su_box title="About Doctors For life"]Doctors For Life International is a non-governmental and registered Non-Profit making Organization (NPO) established in 1991. We bring together medical professionals to form a united front to uphold the following three principles: · The sanctity of life from conception till death · Sound science in the medical profession · A Basic Christian ethic in the medical profession Contact details PO Box 6613 Phone +27 (32) 4815550 or 1/2/3 Zimbali Fax +27 (32) 4815554 4418 Email: [email protected] South Africa web: www.doctorsforlife.co.za[/su_box]

Prayer Requests

· God’s blessing on the work

· Laborers to send into the field

· Medical volunteers for Zavora clinic (Mozambique)

To sign up or donate

visit our website

www.doctorsforlife.co.za

]]>

Doctors For Life Newsletter, Issue 8 – Dec. 2014

It is with gratitude towards our heavenly Father that I approach the end of 2014. Much has happened during the past year and we thank the Lord for His faithfulness. Again I want to thank all our sponsors, members and friends for the way in which they supported us. I wish you and your families a well-deserved rest and many blessings during the festive season. I look forward, Lord willing, to work with you again in 2015. Please remember us in your prayers. Pray for workers to send into the field. The needs are many. To the office staff I want to say that I appreciate all the valuable work that you have done. Without you we at Doctors for Life would not be able to fulfil our commitments – Dr Albu van Eeden

Pornography facts

Until very recently the most dominant use of the internet has been pornography. Social Networking has finally passed pornography as society’s internet habit. Online pornography is a multibillion dollar industry where every second over 3000 dollars are spent.(1)
  • Every second 28,258 users are watching pornography on the internet.(2)
  • Every second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography on the internet.(2)
  • Every second 372 people are typing the word “adult” into search engines.(2)
  • 40 million American people regularly visit porn sites.(2)
  1. http://dailyinfographic.com/the-stats-on-internet-pornography-infographic (2014)
  2. Khaled, E., & Tarek, S. 2012. Innovations and Advances in Computer, Information, Systems Sciences, and Engineering. Springer Science & Business Media. (page 483)

But there is also good news !!!

Doctors For Life is delighted with the outcome of their Court Application in the Western Cape High Court, challenging the licensing of On Digital Media T/A StarSat aka TopTV to broadcast the first three porn channels ever in South Africa. This court case has come out on the side of women, children and families in South Africa who are the ones most harmed by pornography. Even though we are fully aware that the Internet is by far the biggest provider of porn in South Africa, (which is barely filtered) it does not justify adding three TV channels to the existing stream of smut pouring into the country. It is now well established scientifically that (through its effect on the mesolimbic reward system and the consequent changes through neuroplasticity) that pornography is addictive and destructive to the human brain and especially to the brains of minors. Doctors For Life was instrumental in getting the Western Cape High Court to rule that the license to broadcast pornography was unlawfully granted. www.doctorsforlife.co.za/pg/porn-channel-courtcase-goes-starsat-tv/

Other issues of the day

Legalisation of euthanasia

DFL holds the view that suicide does not need to be legalised because a person who has committed suicide can anyway not be prosecuted. Even more strongly we hold the view that if society intends to legalise it they should not expect others to do the work for them. Euthanasia can be divided into two sub groups: active euthanasia and passive euthanasia. – During passive euthanasia the death of the patient is caused by the sickness. In active euthanasia the death of the patient is caused by the doctor. – With passive euthanasia the doctor has the attitude of humility and surrender. In active euthanasia the attitude of control is taken. – During passive euthanasia the purpose is to not unnecessarily lengthen the dying process. With active euthanasia the purpose is to cause the patient die. However, there are a few problems with legalising active euthanasia/physician assisted suicide: – Legalisation is based on vague terms like “unbearable suffering”, “excruciating pain”, etc. It is impossible to measure pain. What is “unbearable”. Whose scale will we use to measure pain, the patient’s, the doctor’s or the family’s. – Active euthanasia creates ground for malpractice. It is impossible to avoid subtle pressure on the patient from by parties. Contact Doctors for Life for more information on the issue.

Legalisation of dagga

– One of the most condemning facts against the legalization of dagga is the relationship between schizophrenia and dagga use, which has become dominant in medical literature over the past few years. A number of studies have shown an association between chronic cannabis use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and schizophrenia. – Long-term cannabis abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful effects upon social functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. – Cannabis intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that Cannabis’s adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. – Other adverse effects of dagga include effects on daily life, the lungs and the heart. http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/townhill/dagga.htm

02Impressive March for Life

The National Alliance for Life an umbrella body for Pro-life organisations in South Africa was very excited with the large turnout of 2300 pro-lifers that turned up at the annual Durban event on 5 October 2014. People from all walks of life attended the march. Prof Pat McEwen, a veteran pro-lifer, from a pro-life group in the USA addressed a special workshop of NAL members the previous day on basic principles of body language, dress code, language use, etc., when speaking with the media. Members from Parliament and from the local city council were also present. A woman who travelled all the way to England to have a legal abortion before 1997 spoke at the start of the March. It was an unwanted pregnancy and she decided the child must be removed. On the theatre table she suddenly came to her senses. 050403 The realisation of what she was doing literally made her jump up and walk out. Today this child is an asset to the South African Community. Life is precious and should at all stages be cherished. The consequences of taking an unborn life are devastating.

Your rights and the constitution

The following interpretation of the law expresses the views of the senior legal counsel to Doctors For Life International (DFL): The Constitution is the ultimate law of the country and consequently if it would clash with another law, the Constitution would override the other law. These Constitutional Rights entitle you to the following: -To resist in Court any attempt to refuse employment or to discriminate against you or to intimidate you into participating in induced abortion. You have the right to refuse to refer a patient to an Abortionist. -To inform others of your ideas and views about induced abortion. Contrary to what the law says, the Constitution would even allow Health Workers to refuse to furnish any information concerning the rights of an applicant for induced abortion. It is important to take note that the clause in the draft abortion law that would have forced a Doctor or Nurse, who was unwilling to do an abortion, to refer the Patient to another Doctor/Nurse who would be willing, was scrapped before the bill was voted upon in 1997. (This was done under pressure from all the opposition parties at the time.) You may not be forced to participate in any part of the abortion procedure; this would include anything from directly taking part in the abortion procedure, to making beds and caring for the Patient or even taking histological specimens to the laboratory. You may refuse taking part in any part of the administrative process of arranging abortions at all levels of the health system. You may not be refused work, dismissed or victimised in your work place because of your conscientious beliefs and objections concerning induced abortions. If you do not wish to participate in induced abortion in terms of your lawful rights, you should make your viewpoint known as soon as possible to your employer in writing so that substitute staff can be arranged. You may contact DFL for more advice.

LifePlace

The LifePlace team is still going on regular outreaches to Durban at least once a week to speak to street prostitutes. None of the prostitutes we talk to are there because they want to be there; it is out of sheer desperation that they are driven to the streets. Many of the girls have no parents, nobody to turn to and thus fall prey to all kinds of dangers because of their vulnerability. The reality is that these prostitutes have siblings and children that are dependent on them. What happens is nothing short of sexual exploitation, men’s power to exploit the vulnerability of women and girls. The advocates for the legalization of prostitution do not realize the harm that comes from it. The choice between poverty and prostitution is not a choice at all. Consequently DFL is of the opinion that prostitution should not be decriminalised and presented as a possible occupation to women in South Africa. On the surface, prostitution may seem for some like a victimless crime, but when you delve a little bit deeper you will be confronted with the devastating reality of the impact it has on a woman’s psyche. 080706
Testimony My name is Nomfundo Manzi , mostly called Penny. The Doctors for Life team came to me with an invitation card, that offered help to end prostitution. I just said ‘let’s go’ because I was not happy with my lifestyle. I was a drug addict, using crack. I could not stop. No amount of money could satisfy my hunger for drugs and alcohol. I became a prostitute to support my drug habit. I was called “Madakwane, some named me ‘Black label’. I used to steal from my clients to get more money. My life was a mess, a disaster. My mom did not want anything to do with me. Through Doctors for Life I found peace with God. God weeded out the things He did not want in me. He is still weeding them out and planting what He wants in me. It is with thanks to Doctors for Life for what they do for the girls on the street. Devotion To be set free from sin. Exodus 9:13, 34 and 35. These days we will be celebrating Christmas. It is the time when Christ came to this world to set us free from the slavery of sin. Exodus 9:13 teaches us that the reason Christ came to this world was to set us free in order for us to serve and worship God. And this is the reason why the Lord forced the devil to let us go so that we can worship Him. This is actually why we were created. It was not so that we can go and do our own thing, be it through the work we do, or our marriage or our time of relaxing. Its purpose must be to serve the Lord. This is the reason why God pushed the devil into the corner where he had to let you and me go. It is also why God became man and later suffered, why He carried the cursed tree, why He hung on the cross and cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was forcing Satan to set us free so that we can go and serve Him. We ourselves do not have the strength to break free from Pharaoh. We should not deceive ourselves or let the devil deceive us. And the first step is Godly remorse: verse 34 and 35. This is what Pharaoh lacked. You may punish/chastise yourself and just feel more righteous and yet, without this gift nobody can enter into heaven. It is in a way also an eye of a needle through which everyone must pass in order to enter heaven. Godly remorse sets free and leads to life. The life for which Christ came to this earth and which we are celebrating this Christmas

Aid to Africa (A2A) Outreaches

During 2014, Doctors for Life had many opportunities to reach out to people in need. Not only could we help them in their physical needs but we could also help them heal their spiritual wounds. At the end of September 2014 we visited Mozambique. We went to an area called Muvamba situated about 100km south of Vilanculos. DFL assisted 212 patients with free medication and 23 people received reading glasses. This brings the total number of people helped with eye glasses to well over 700. We also managed to do a record of 423 surgeries this year. In total we reached 5 very needy areas in 3 different countries with free medical care. The other countries reached were Botswana and Malawi. During 2014 we also assisted well over 16,000 patients with free medical care at our clinic in Zavora, in Mozambique. The most treated disease remains malaria. In addition we helped about 250 women with deliveries. Looking back at these outreaches we are thankful to God for what we could achieve.]]>

Porn plot thickens after Icasa slip-up

PornographyTHE Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) might have erred when it authorized material for three adult content TV channels, the Western Cape High Court heard on Monday.Judge Lee Bozalek heard fresh submissions from applicants and respondents on Monday about whether the adult content needed to be sent back to Icasa to be reclassified. After listening to arguments, Judge Bozalek said: “It has emerged that (Icasa) missed a material fact and made an error in law. On Digital Media also intended to do a criminal act by airing the content and Icasa, in allowing that decision, must have been unlawful as well. At the initial hearing in August, On Digital Media and Icasa argued that section 24A(3) did not apply to On Digital Media and that Icasa need not take it into consideration. They said no “bad pornography” would be aired and if Icasa had refused to authorize the channels, it would have been acting contrary to Parliament’s intention and the statutory scheme. It appears as if Parliament’s intention was clear – it does not want to make X18 material available to the public other than in very specific circumstances. Icasa made a material error in law in disregarding this piece of legislation in reaching its decision.”. On Digital Media’s proposal is that rather than remitting the matter to Icasa to revisit, the court should vary the decision to deal with section 24A(3). The appropriate remedy in this case would be to remit the matter to Icasa, for various reasons – one being that Icasa may well reach a different decision, after considering section 24A(3). http://www.iol.co.za/tonight/tv-radio/porn-plot-thickens-after-icasa-slip-up-1.1764524]]>