The Real Issue Is Whether Religion Has The Right To Control Healthcare?
I have sat by patiently as I watch this country get pulled farther and farther back into the Dark Ages. You remember the Dark Ages? Religion didn't understand how disease was passed on as it killed millions. Oh, it was a powerful time for Religion. They used fear and ignorance to build the Church stronger in a climate of sorrow and loss.
I think we are looking at his issue of “Religious Freedom” and “Religious Rights” all wrong. The real issue should be defined as whether “ANY Religion has the right to CONTROL healthcare?” Individuals have the right and the freedom not to use contraception or other provisions of healthcare. The Church should not have the right to deny them that choice, that coverage outright.
As this case goes before the Supreme Court they should first make the argument that contraception and reproduction are all part of healthcare. Then, once this argument is made, they should further make the argument that religion has no place in healthcare decision.
Many years ago I was part of a group that studied cults. The leaders of this group were former Jehovah Witnesses who had lost children due to the Jehovah Witnesses practices against allowing members to get blood transfusions. I think there was a lawsuit brought against the JW Church for these practices. I don’t know that they still practice this taboo against blood transfusions. From a medical standpoint it was very dangerous. Many died.
This brings me back to the Catholic Church and others who would object to medical practices on a religious ground. Today it is contraception. Tomorrow it could be blood transfusions. There is no limit to what some group calling itself a religion could deny others if this case is solved in favor of religion. How would you like it if the Church of Scientology brought suit against providing mental health services by all insurance companies?
This is the focus that those defending the Affordable Care Act should emphasize.
Rights should be assigned to individuals. Corporations should never have been given the right to vote in absentia and no organization has the right to take away medical decisions of individuals by denying them insurance coverage.
If this objection is allowed, it will undermine the very practice of medicine.