Islamic extremists are, of course, not the only ones who use religion for political advantage.
Apparently, a significant segment of our population would never dream of voting for Democrats because “liberals” are considered licentious, and “immoral.” (“Tea Party” members worried about corporate misconduct are definitely supporting the wrong party. This Congress’s top priority has been to do Wall Street’s bidding.)
Unfortunately, the rhetoric of reproductive and gay “rights” probably exacerbates that political division. The focus should be on human rights. Homosexuals are human. And marriage is, among other things, the usual means by which adults choose their legal next of kin.
Abortion is, at best, a regrettable expedient. But punishing doctors for taking care of their patients would be positively grotesque. Doctors are not the problem.
The real problem is that one cannot legislate “morality.” Attempts to do so can be downright cruel. (Note: “Immorality” is a term used almost exclusively to refer to sexual “misconduct” – however that is defined.)
Contraceptives exist and abortion is a simple medical procedure. One cannot “put the genie back in the bottle.” Moreover, prejudicially denying people opportunities because of their background, race, gender, or sexual orientation is extremely unkind and just plain wrong.
The above “Letter to the Editor” of mine was published in the Rockford (IL) Register Star 1/21/15 under the title “You can’t legislate morality.”