Pregnancy and Artificial Nail

How can people celebrate the gospel of life in their daily lives? What about cloning? Is euthanasia morally acceptable in certain cases, such as terminal illness? In case of health reasons, mental illness, pregnancy due to rape, etc., is abortion morally acceptable? Are you in favor of the use of contraceptives, both natural and artificial? A Morally Complex World will not answer such complex questions in detail, but it does provide a framework for trying to grapple better with the first question of how we should lead our moral lives in general, as well as some of the concrete ethical issues the other three questions raise. A Morally Complex World is an accessible introduction to moral theology covering the methodology of moral theology; basic concepts such as conscience and moral agency; natural law, moral norms; how the Bible can be used in Christian ethics; how to dialogue on contested ethical issues; how to consider sin and moral failure; and finally how to mediate the moral principles and moral teaching in a pastorally sensitive manner in concrete life situations. Chapters are "Mapping a Moral Methodology," "The Natural Law and Moral Norms: Moving Along the Rational Claim Axis," "Scripture and Ethics: Moving Along the Sacred Claim Axis," "The Sanctuary of Conscience: Where the Axes Intersect," "Modes of Moral Discourse: Navigating Towards a Common Ground," "Navigating in the Morally Complex World: Casuistry with a Human Face," and "Sin and Failure in a Morally Complex World.

Morbid obsessions with sex or germs or with one's appearance, and uncontrollable compulsions to hoard objects, to check and recheck locks, or to pull one's hair are just a few of the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Problems such as these afflict over ten million Americans. Many suffer in isolation, not knowing that their disorder has a name, how to seek help, or how to help themselves. Now Dr. Fred Penzel, a psychologist with over eighteen years' experience in treating obsessive-compulsive disorders, has written a book to help this group of sufferers, their families, and those who would help them. In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Dr. Penzel discusses the entire spectrum of these disorders, from the classic form characterized by the intrusive, repetitive, and often unpleasant thoughts, to body dysmorphic disorder ("imagined ugliness"), trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling), compulsive skin picking, and nail biting. Dr. Penzel takes the reader through each step of the most effective behavioral therapies, detailing how progress is made and how to avoid relapse. He also offers a completely up-to-date discussion of medication -- how medication is used as part of the overall treatment, its effect on pregnancy, how to choose the best medicine, and how to know if it is working. In addition, Dr. Penzel discusses the treatment of children with these disorders, offers helpful advice for the families of sufferers, and lists sources of help and information (including the latest sites on the Internet). The book also includes a useful appendix that features symptom checklists for each of the OC spectrum disorders, the DSM-IV diagnostic descriptions, a reading list, and aglossary. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders is the most complete guide ever written about this family of perplexing problems. Its practical, accurate, and up-to-the-minute information gives those with OC disorders all they need to know to get well and stay well.