Health care providers who depend on federal aid to operate may soon be required to certify that they will not discriminate against doctors, nurses, or any other employees who object to administering birth control and abortion services. In turn, the proposed rule by the Department of Health and Human Services would allow any federal grant recipient to obstruct a woman's access to contraception. The New York Times also reports "the new requirement is needed to ensure that federal money does not support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law."
What is the religious reasoning behind this? Some forms of contraception prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in a woman's womb. For members of the religious right, that is classified as abortion because a fertilized egg marks the beginning of "the creation life." In fact, the HHS states the following "definitions" for abortion:
What is the religious reasoning behind this? Some forms of contraception prevent implantation of a fertilized egg in a woman's womb. For members of the religious right, that is classified as abortion because a fertilized egg marks the beginning of "the creation life." In fact, the HHS states the following "definitions" for abortion:
Abortion: An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. There are two commonly held views on the question of when a pregnancy begins. Some consider a pregnancy to begin at conception (that is, the fertilization of the egg by the sperm), while others consider it to begin with implantation (when the embryo implants in the lining of the uterus). A 2001 Zogby International American Values poll revealed that 49% of Americans believe that human life begins at conception. Presumably many who hold this belief think that any action that destroys human life after conception is the termination of a pregnancy, and so would be included in their definition of the term "abortion." Those who believe pregnancy begins at implantation believe the term "abortion" only includes the destruction of a human being after it has implanted in the lining of the uterus.
The proposal by the HHS basically discredits the Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade by making the indication that what a woman does with her body is not a private matter, but rather something the government and complete strangers would have control over. Hospital pharmacists would get away with refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control, and doctors would be able to turn away rape victims who seeks emergency contraception. Remember, this is all in the name of religion. Separation of church and state is a myth, and it always has been.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 12)
46. 40. LOONS-LOONS LOONS--LEFTWING LOONS--IS THIS THE OFFICIAL GEO SOROS WEBSITE?
harry at 1:20PM on Jul 18th 2008
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Geez harry, is that all ya' got?
I guess that makes you the opposite of a
lefty loon,which would be?????
Bob Johnson at 1:52PM on Jul 18th 2008
47. On the energy topic for a sec.
It makes my jaw drop when I think of the past 3 decades as the percentages of imports went up our energy dept. & dept. of interior sat on their hands. I'll forgo the argument of why we haven't utilized our fossil resources more adequately.
Clif, you seem to be a big fan of T. Boone Pickens based on his new found energy initiatives. Don't fool yourself with the thought Pickens is looking out entirely for America's interest. He's got a solid background in the oil industry but built most of his 3 billion dollar fortune from acquisitions. He's a businessman first building his empire as a corporate raider. Of course this new venture is brilliant from a business standpoint because once the infrastructure is established & paid for his wind initiative will be a cash cow for the ages. He's only skewing his interests from oil because he knows the time is right. Not because drilling elsewhere is a bad concept, he just doesn't have the inside track on any of it. Nonetheless, I applaud him & all private enterprise for taking the bull by the horns & giving us energy options. This is not a partisan issue.
I think it's ironic that Gore is all of a sudden jumping on the bandwagon behind the podium calling for the same goals. The import tide was turning during his stay in the administration in negative fashion & there was no impetus under Clinton to farm renewable energy ambitions or any other. It seems his interest has suddenly piqued on the heels of Picken's plan. Here we have a typical liberal mentality who's supposed to be the global warming czar of public opinion who's never really tried to institute a plan until after the fact. Gore also is chairman of Generation Investment Management, an investment firm specializing in energy alternatives. In other words Gore in the private sector stands to make a ton from his energy speeches.
I have no problem with Pickens or Gore cashing in on any of this. I'd have to say Pickens in his approach is more the "doer" & Gore the "talker" in their approaches to the problem.
Just don't kid yourself, there is squat difference in party lines as to who resolves this issue in the most efficient manner they can. The recent polling of diehard liberals who've stood behind not drilling for 3 decades affirms my comments.
Drill for it for the future I say along with the invention & addition of any other practical means to supply this country with the means to sustain ourselves plus allow controlled growth.
Necessity takes precedence always...
Bobby at 1:59PM on Jul 18th 2008
48. This country was born free--our constitution was constructed as a map for us to follow to remain a free country. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE does not mean the Catholics, The Evangelists, the Mormons, the Muslims or any other religion that man dreams up is exempt from this decision made by our founding fathes. There is no room for any other meaning. In this counrty you are allowed to practice any religion you want unless it brings to others. You may even choose to be an Atheist if you want to. THAT'S OUR LAW. Churchs' advise your congrigation But get your Butts out of Federal Law. Your religion does not have the right to dictate the rules for all of America no matter how RIGHT you think you are. If you can't live by the Freedoms our forefathers set into motion go find a country that allows you to dictate your beliefes to all their citizens. Your righteous arrogant attitudes are appalling'
Bob Wilkinson at 1:55PM on Jul 18th 2008
49. his is my all time favorite nutjob consipiracy theory. Thanks for trotting it out of the stable, Clif.
Please elaborate for the uninitiated, will yah?
bob at 1:12PM on Jul 18th 2008
xx
Why bother. If you have an alternate explanation, let's hear that first and see if it holds water, ok?
Clif Kuplen at 1:59PM on Jul 18th 2008
50. What a bunch of idiots.. You all are a buch of bible thumping freaks. You demonize environmentalists and patronize those whose only stance is to intrude on a womans rights, rape mother earth, cause strife amongst nations we have no business being in to exploit thier natural resources. Meanwhile ignoring genocide, a dying economy, and furthering hatred of our nation by those around the world. This aint rocket science idiots. You probably think that Bush actually has an IQ over 80 too.
Robert at 2:04PM on Jul 18th 2008
51. Clif, you seem to be a big fan of T. Boone Pickens based on his new found energy initiatives. Don't fool yourself with the thought Pickens is looking out entirely for America's interest.
xxxxx
Bobby you assume far too much. The word 'fan' is short for fanatic. I have no illusions as to what Pickens stood for and probably still stands for although he did remove his swift boat reward money.
xxxxxxxx
I think it's ironic that Gore is all of a sudden jumping on the bandwagon behind the podium calling for the same goals.
xxxxxxxx
This is propaganda. Gore's positions on the environment have been well known to me and many others since long before he was vice president or clinton's name was even known.
He was the lone voice in politics advocating stewardship of the planet even though the scientific community had been saying the same things since I was in college in the sixties.
Clif Kuplen at 2:06PM on Jul 18th 2008
52. "Why bother. If you have an alternate explanation, let's hear that first and see if it holds water, ok?"
I think Clif's embarrassed that he brought this little beauty up.
bob at 2:21PM on Jul 18th 2008
53. I think Clif's embarrassed that he brought this little beauty up.
bob at 2:21PM on Jul 18th
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I think you don't have a viable alternate explanation.
Bob Johnson at 3:45PM on Jul 18th 2008
54. Obama should have been aborted.
I think that if we're going to have abortion,esp. live birth,(and killing a live infant after it's birth IS murder),I think they should expand abortion laws to allow abortion of anyone that is "inconvenient".You know,people like PETA,libs that give convenience priority over human life,idiots that should be aborted.
Bill Triebel at 4:22PM on Jul 18th 2008
55. think you don't have a viable alternate explanation.
Bob Johnson at 3:45PM on Jul 18th 2008
xxx
ditto. thanx, bob.
Well, other bob? let 'er rip!
Clif Kuplen at 4:30PM on Jul 18th 2008
56. BUSH ALSO CONTINUES TO COMPLY WITH JEWISH LOBBYIST AND ISRAELI ZIONISTS HELL BENT ON THEIR ANTI-ISLAMIC CAMPAIGN OF MUSLIM GENONCIDE. IS ANYONE REALY SUPRISED THAT THE USA JEWISH PRESS MAKES CHRISTIANS - PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS - THE SKAPE GOATS AND IS SILENT ON JEWISH FUNDAMETALIST RELIGOUS RADICALISM. WHEN WILL THERE BE ONE STORY OR MOVIE ON THE RELIGIOUS JEWISH RIGHT AND THEIR POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN THIS COUNTRY? NOT UNTIL THE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MAKES THE MEDIA STOP ITS RELIGIOUSLY BASED PRO-JEWISH ILLEGAL BIASED HIRING AND PROMOTIONAL PRACTICES. PUBLICALLY HELD COMAPANIES CANNOT CONSIDER RELGION IN HIRING OR PROMOTION BUT JEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUE TO BLATENTLY VIOLATE THE LAW.
TAYLOR at 4:35PM on Jul 18th 2008
57. I am a doctor currently practicing in a third world country that does not allow abortions.Which means that there is a lot of illegal,back-alley abortions in our country,as well as a lot of kids getting dumped in the street simply because they are unwanted.Legalising abortion may be a good solution,but it involves the taking of human life.
So what do we do
Before i go to that,a word on today's blog.If a doctor refuses to do an abortion,a woman has the right to go to a doctor who will do it.Getting pregnant with an unwanted baby does not mean that the woman dies,it just means an encumberance.So docs who won't do it should not be forced.Otherwise you would be veering into denying rights of conscience,which is bad.
Forcing docs who do not want to do abortions to doing it,can be the same thing as forcing a biology major who does not believe in animal experimentation to take part because it is a part of his training.Again the conscience-duty interface.
Finally,assume that i am a gal in rural Alabama who got raped and then as a result is pregnant.I do not want that baby,and no doc in my area will do the abortion.What happens(or what should happen)
1.Have the baby.But it is not that simple.I would
-suffer the stigma of being an unwed mom
-stop school to look after baby.
-add your own point.
So to sum up,I think the problem here is that.
1.Attitudes towards women who get pregnant out of wedlock
2.Attitudes towards sex(viewed as a form of recreation)
3.Attitudes towards contraception.
4.Society ain't baby-friendly.You have a baby,you lose yer job.
So in summary,a doc should have the right to refuse.At the same time,society,if it must say no to abortion must be willing to emotionally support the mom and the 'unwanted child'
mad african Christian at 5:03PM on Jul 18th 2008
58. On the energy question
Why don't you americans make fuel-efficient,smaller cars,instead of the big gas guzzlers?
mad african Christian at 5:07PM on Jul 18th 2008
59. So,Robert,you're saying the only ones allowed to speak their mind are other radical God-hating atheists like yourself?People that ignorantly dump everyone else together as "bible thunpers","religious nutjobs",people that Can't tolerate anyone else having a thought or beleif of their own,that seem to have a pathological need to bash and hate at every opportunity?And to think you call us intolerant.
Bill Triebel at 5:05PM on Jul 18th 2008
60. This is not an endorsement, but the link provided is a comprehensive list of what might have motivated the anthrax attack conspiracy.
http://www.freefromterror.net/other_articles/gov_anthrax.html
Captain Negative at 5:24PM on Jul 18th 2008