2/10/SHOW: RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT ON TWO FRONTS: HEALTH INSURANCE AND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS; USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR CHURCH SERVICES
On this week’s show the Ivory Tower panelists discuss the Obama Administration’s decision to require Catholic hospitals, charities, and universities to make available to all their employees health insurance covering contraception. We pair this with a discussion of whether public school buildings in New York State should be open to small church congregations, for rental, in which to hold church services. As is common on issues of church and state, there was little agreement. Join in the conversation by posting a comment on the blog.3 Comments to “2/10/SHOW: RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT ON TWO FRONTS: HEALTH INSURANCE AND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS; USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR CHURCH SERVICES”
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Sanford James Friedman M.D. says:
Hi.As usual loved your show.There is nothing like it here in the Big Apple. But, allow me to help keep debate alive.Are you kidding???This is not primarily a religious or political issue.It is a public health issue!!!The federal government mandates all sorts of rules regarding minimal standards in health care, including vaccinations, measures to avoid hospital acquired infections,treatment of myocardial infarctions ,pneumonia etc. Birth control is right up there.Pregnancy, particularly in certain women, and to some extent in all women, is a potentially dangerous condition.Making it even inconvenient is like making it inconvenient for someone to acquire a life jacket before shooting down a rapids.Mind you these are the same bishops who actively oppose B.C. in overpopulated countries where starvation and disease and drought are rampant.In my view this is as morally repugnant as stoning a woman for
committing “adultery.” BTW which apostle specifically condemns estrogen/progesterone tablets.Where is the wasting of the seed? -
Larry Hartle says:
Pill / Health care:
1) When did pregnancy become a disease requiring mandated HEALTH insurance.
We constantly hear of a weakening health care system and yet we feel it necessary to mandate a pill? REALLY! this is a current priority??
It is my opinion that the pill should be a personal choice, at personal cost – period.
If we were addressing health issues, we should require condom coverage.
Condoms actually provide health protection. Conversely the pill will likely reduce condom use, thus contribute to increased public health issues.
If Pregnancy is determined to be a risk to a women’s health/life, insurance generally covers sterilization. As my wife’s high blood sugar pressure presented a risk of death if pregnant. A more effective cure, with less side effects, than the pill.
If presented with “you can’t risk pregnance or you may die” which do you want.
Regarding usage of school buildings by religious groups: I believe that a search of education law shows that schools need to be open to all groups or to no groups. In addition, a comment regarding what constitutes a church: the church consists of the people. If you need a graphic example of this recall “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. The Grinch couldn’t steal Christmas because it exists in people’s hearts. The people are the church even when there is no building.