Newsgroup: it.cultura.religioni
Titolo: I Testimoni di Geova ora accettano le biotecnologie immortaliste

I Testimoni di Geova, ora accettano le biotecnologie immortaliste.
Questo in sintesi il loro ragionamento (riassumo per chi non legge 
l'inglese): se l'uomo è arrivato al punto di potere conquistare 
l'immortalità grazie alla tecnoscienza, significa che questo è il piano 
del Signore.
-------------------------------------
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/11/15/article_01.htm
How Long Can People LIVE?
ON March 3, 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León embarked on a
noteworthy
expedition. He set sail from Puerto Rico in hopes of reaching the
island of
Bimini. Legend has it that he sought a miraculous spring-the Fountain
of Youth.
But he landed in what is now the state of Florida, U.S.A. Of course,
he never
found the nonexistent fountain.
Today, humans in general do not live much longer than 70 or 80 years.
Although
the Bible lists people with far greater life spans, the 2002 Guinness
Book of
World Records says that the age of the oldest person who ever lived
was 122
years and 164 days. (Genesis 5:3-32) However, bioethicist John Harris
said: "New
research now allows a glimpse into a world in which aging-and even
death-may no
longer be inevitable." A number of 21st-century researchers speak of
"practical
immortality," "no limit to the life span of human beings by 2099," "a
capacity
to have an immortal propagation of cells," and the like.
In his book The Dream of Eternal Life, Mark Benecke notes: "Nearly all
of the
body is renewed several times during the course of a life. . . . After
about
seven years, we are new people in the truest sense of the word."
However, this
does not go on indefinitely because cells stop multiplying after a
predetermined
number of divisions. If that was not the case, though, says Benecke,
"the human
body could regenerate itself for a very long time-even eternally."
Consider, too, the astounding capacity of the human brain, which
greatly exceeds
any use we might make of it during our rather short life. According to 
the
Encyclopædia Britannica, the human brain "is endowed with considerably
more
potential than is realizable in the course of one person's lifetime."
(1976
Edition, Volume 12, page 998) The book How the Brain Learns, by David
A. Sousa,
states: "For all practical purposes, the capacity of the brain to store
information is unlimited."-Page 78, Second Edition, copyright 2001.
Why can researchers find no physiological reason why we die? And why
does the
human brain have such tremendous capacity? Is it possible that we were
designed
to keep on taking in knowledge forever? Why are we able to conceive of
everlasting life at all?
The Bible states: "Even time indefinite [God] has put in their heart, 
that
mankind may never find out the work that the true God has made from
the start to
the finish." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) These words indicate that God
implanted in us
the idea of living forever. For that matter, we would always have
something to
learn about God and his works. If we lived for untold billions of
years-yes,
forever-we would always be able to learn more about the marvels of 
God's
creative works.
The words of Jesus Christ also show that eternal human life is
possible. He
said: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you,
the only
true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John
17:3) What
about you? Do you want to live forever?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1999/10/15/article_01.htm
Our Quest for a Longer Life
"Man, born of woman, is short-lived and glutted with agitation. Like a
blossom
he has come forth and is cut off, and he runs away like the shadow and
does not
keep existing."-Job 14:1, 2.
In Job's time Egyptians ate the testicles of animals in a vain attempt
to regain
their youth. One of the prime objectives of medieval alchemy was to
produce an
elixir that could lead to longer life. Many alchemists believed that
artificially produced gold would give immortal life and that eating
from golden
plates would prolong life. Ancient Chinese Taoists reckoned that they
could
alter the body's chemistry by using such techniques as meditation,
breathing
exercises, and diet and thus obtain immortality.
The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León is known for his insatiable
search for
the fountain of youth. An 18th-century doctor recommended in his book
Hermippus
Redivivus that young virgins be kept in a small room in springtime and
their
exhalations collected in bottles and used as a life-extending potion.
Needless
to say, none of these methods had any success.
Today, some 3,500 years after Moses recorded Job's statement, man has
walked on
the moon, invented cars and computers, and investigated the atom and
the cell.
Yet, despite all such technological advances, we are still
"short-lived and
glutted with agitation." It is true that in developed countries the 
life
expectancy has increased dramatically over the last century. But this
is mainly
the result of improved health care, more efficient hygienic measures,
and better
nutrition. For example, from the mid-19th century to the beginning of 
the
1990's, the average life span in Sweden rose from 40 to 75 years for
men and
from 44 to 80 years for women. But does this mean that man's urge to
live longer
has been satisfied?
No, because even though in some countries more people live to see old
age, the
words Moses wrote years ago still apply: "In themselves the days of
our years
are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are
eighty years .
. . , for it must quickly pass by, and away we fly." (Psalm 90:10) In
the near
future, will we see a change? Will man be able to live significantly
longer? The
next article will discuss such questions.
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/11/15/article_02.htm
Do You Want to LIVE Forever?
"I AM not afraid of dying," said an elderly woman in Japan. "But it
distresses
me that I will have to part from these flowers." A Christian minister
visiting
her home understood the remark, for the woman had a beautiful garden.
Many who
say that they have no fear of dying really appreciate the wonders of
creation
and may actually long to live forever.
Living forever? Many would brush aside such a thought. Some may even
say that
they have no interest in living forever. Why would anyone feel that 
way?
Everlasting Life-Boring?
Some think that it would be boring to live forever. They may point out 
the
monotonous life of many retired people who have little to do but sit
and stare
at the television screen. If that is how you feel, consider what
astronomer
Robert Jastrow said when asked if everlasting life would be a blessing
or a
curse. Jastrow replied: "It would be a blessing to those who have
curious minds
and an endless appetite for learning. The thought that they have
forever to
absorb knowledge would be very comforting for them. But for others who
feel they
have learned all there is to learn and whose minds are closed, it
would be a
dreadful curse. They'd have no way to fill their time."
Whether you would find everlasting life boring or not depends much on 
your
attitude. If you have 'a curious mind and an endless appetite for
learning,'
think of what you could accomplish in the fields of art, music,
architecture,
gardening, or whatever worthy pursuits interest you. Eternal life on
earth would
provide wonderful prospects for developing your potential in various
fields of
endeavor.
Being able to show and experience love forever would make eternal life
satisfying indeed. We are created with the capacity for showing love,
and we
thrive when we feel loved. Sharing real love brings deep satisfaction
that does
not fade with the passing of time. Living forever would offer an 
endless
opportunity to cultivate love not only for fellow humans but
especially for God.
"If anyone loves God," said the apostle Paul, "this one is known by
him." (1
Corinthians 8:3) What a wonderful prospect-to know and to be known by 
the
Sovereign of the universe! Furthermore, there is no end to learning
about our
loving Creator. How, then, could everlasting life be boring and
unrewarding?
Life-Transient and Precious
Some feel that the shortness of life is what makes it so precious.
They may
compare life to gold, which exists only in limited amounts. If gold
could be
found everywhere, they point out, its value would be diminished.
Nevertheless,
gold would still be beautiful. Surely the same is true of life.
We might compare enjoying eternal life to having an abundance of air.
Sailors in
a malfunctioning submarine would consider air to be especially
valuable. After
they were rescued, do you think they would unappreciatively complain
about again
enjoying air in abundance? Surely not!
Like such sailors, we can be rescued but with the even greater prospect 
of
everlasting life. "The wages sin pays is death," wrote the apostle
Paul, "but
the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6:23)
Through Jesus' ransom sacrifice, God will remove human imperfection
and death
and will bestow upon obedient mankind the gift of everlasting life.
How grateful
we should be for such a loving arrangement!
What About Your Loved Ones?
Some individuals may think: 'What about my loved ones? Life eternal on
earth
would not mean much to me if they were not with me.' Perhaps you have
taken in
knowledge of the Bible and have learned about the possibility of 
enjoying
everlasting life in an earthly paradise. (Luke 23:43; John 3:16; 17:3)
Naturally, you want members of your immediate family, other loved
ones, and
cherished friends to be there, experiencing the same joys that you hope 
to
experience in God's promised new world of righteousness.-2 Peter 3:13.
But what if your friends and loved ones are showing no interest in 
living
forever on a paradise earth? Do not let that discourage you. Continue
to take in
accurate Scriptural knowledge, and act in harmony with it. The apostle
Paul
wrote: "How can you be sure, Christian wife, that you will not save 
your
husband? Or how can you be sure, Christian husband, that you will not
save your
wife?" (1 Corinthians 7:16, Today's English Version) People can
change. For
example, one man who once opposed Christianity changed and later
became an elder
in the Christian congregation. He says: "I am so grateful that my
little family
loyally stood by their Bible principles through all my opposition."
God is very concerned about your life and the lives of your loved
ones. Indeed,
"Jehovah . . . does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to
attain to
repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Jehovah God wants you and your loved ones
to live
forever. His love is greater than that of imperfect humans. (Isaiah
49:15) So
why not cultivate a good relationship with God? Then you may be able
to help
your loved ones to do the same. Even if they do not now have the hope
of living
forever, their attitude may change when they see you act in harmony 
with
accurate knowledge of the Bible.
What about the dear ones you may have lost in death? For millions who
have died,
the Bible holds out the wonderful hope of a resurrection-of awakening
from death
and living in Paradise on earth. Jesus Christ promised: "The hour is
coming in
which all those in the memorial tombs will . . . come out." (John
5:28, 29) Even
those who have died without knowing God will be brought back to life,
for the
Bible states: "There is going to be a resurrection of both the
righteous and the
unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) What a delight it will be to welcome such
ones back
to life!
Eternal Life-A Joyful Prospect
If you can find happiness and contentment now despite all the troubles
in this
world, you will surely be able to enjoy eternal life on a paradise
earth. When
one of Jehovah's Witnesses pointed out the blessings that everlasting
life would
bring, however, one woman said: "I don't want to live forever. This
life of 70
or 80 years is enough for me." A Christian elder who happened to be
present
asked her: "Have you ever thought about how your children would feel
if you
died?" Tears ran down her cheeks when she thought about the grief they
would
experience at the loss of their mother. "For the first time, I
realized how
selfish I had been," she admits, "and I could see that everlasting
life is not a
selfish hope but that it involves living for others."
Some may feel that it does not matter to anyone whether they live or
they die.
Yet, it does matter to our Life-Giver, who says: "As I am alive, . . .
I take
delight, not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone
wicked turns
back from his way and actually keeps living." (Ezekiel 33:11) Since
God is that
concerned about the life of even the wicked, surely he cares deeply
for those
who love him.
King David of ancient Israel had confidence in Jehovah's loving care.
David once
said: "In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even 
Jehovah
himself would take me up." (Psalm 27:10) David was likely sure of his
parents'
love for him. But even if his parents-his closest human contacts-were
to leave
him, he knew that God would not desert him. Out of love and concern,
Jehovah
offers us everlasting life and unending friendship with him. (James
2:23) Should
we not gratefully accept these wonderful gifts?
Appeared in The Watchtower  November 15, 2004
-- 
saluti
<Gigi>
Scarica gratuitamente i libri di Rael nel sito 
www.rael.org

 del Signore.
Interessante: quindi il fatto che l'uomo stia distruggendo il pianeta e che
se continua così provocherà -oltre alla propria- l'estizione di molte altre
forme di vita, è il piano del Signore?
D.
-- 
"La natura, voi dite, e' del tutto inesplicabile senza un Dio. In altri
termini, per spiegare cio' che capite ben poco, avete bisogno di una causa
che non capite affatto." (Paul Thiry d'Holbach)

 D.
Devi chiederlo ai testimoni di Geova oppure a chi crede nel Signore.
