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Christianity Today, March, 2009 |

Conscience Clashes

Christian health workers just want to follow their religious beliefs.

Ken Walker | posted 2/16/2009 10:29AM

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The court said the businessmen have the right to legally contest a 2005 order requiring pharmacies to offer the morning-after pill—an order the plaintiffs call a violation of their religious ...

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Sheri T.

Posted: February 18, 2009 12:36 PM

So Louise Melling said, "You can't deny people the basic health care that brought them in the door." Since when is dispensing emergency contraception or inseminating a lesbian, or perhaps euthanasia, abortion etc. "basic health care"? There aren't too many ethical issues involved in truly basic health care. Those types of health/choice issues are usually financially not an option for those who only get "basic" health care (Medicaid) from the govt.

Chris

Posted: February 18, 2009 8:43 AM

As a RN I choose to work in a health center that represents my same views. Then I do not have to participate in health care processes that I do not agree with like abortion. However I work in a large city with many health care centers to choose to work for. I believe that if someone does not want to dispense the medications that cause aborting a baby then they shouldn't have to. It is up to the patient to find a provider who will give him or her what they (patients) want.

Tim Schutte

Posted: February 18, 2009 6:27 AM

In this NATION everyone has a right to practice any Religion they want. In this NATION we should have the right to bring that Religion to our work place. However the courts have ruled that it can NOT be in any Government. We can NOT have prayers in Schools, Judges can NOT have the 10 commandments in their court rooms. If a person owns a business they should have the right to run the business as they see fit provided it does not Discriminate because of Race, Religion, Gender, or National Origin. If Christian Business owners do not want to sell any product that goes against their Religious Believes they should have the right not to do it. There are other places that will sell the items so why FORCE any Business Owner to sell something they do not want to carry? The Government has already taken ENOUGH of our FREEDOM OF CHOICE, why do we support any additional goverenment restriction is hard for me to understand. What if the FREEDOM up for discussion was one that YOU had to give up?

B Nuckols, MD

Posted: February 18, 2009 3:39 AM


The issue of conscientious medical practice is not just abortion and contraception, since several States have now legalized intentional suicide by means of medical prescriptions. The doctor is not simply a tool or a means to the end (pun not intended) for the patient. Trust me, I'll go against my conscience?

mammadoc

Posted: February 18, 2009 2:00 AM

No medical provider should be forced to do a procedure they believe is wrong; however, they do need to be able to evaluate, diagnose, and discuss alternatives with patients without withholding information that they disagree with. Being professional means doing your job even when you are tired, stressed, underpaid, and not fully in agreement with the patient on their choices. Be knowledgeable and provide information with care and concern. Pray for the patient to have wisdom, but then let God work on their decision with them. Many well-meaning Christians have forced others to submit or else thru the centuries with disastrous results. Help the patient get information and refer them if you can't do what they choose in good conscience.

mircea

Posted: February 18, 2009 12:39 AM


I grew up in a communist country and I understand very well what is going on in your country. You are going to lose the most important right human beings have. FREEDOM. It is not about doctors versus patients it is about your nation freedom

Rebecca Wold

Posted: February 18, 2009 12:38 AM

I became a nurse back in 1966. Things were a bit different then and the Medical Field was held in a very special light. Health care was a Service, a Giving of ones self to another. I loved Nursing and care for my patients. I worked with the elderly for 40+ years. I care for vewry sick old folks and were with many dying patients and their families. Both my children spent much time in the Hospital because of Birthdefects. The Doctors and Nurses were wonderful......But times have changed. I am sure there are many Health Care providers who really care, but there are those who just go through the motions. We may be very High Tech but where is the compassion, and the love...It must come from Jesus....We one in Health Care places his/her hands on a patient it must be the Hands of Jesus. There must be plenty of MD's and other people in Health care that can do those things that As Believers we just can't do. BUT!!!!!anyone placed in our care must be first Loved and shown compassion.

Ian	Posted: February 17, 2009 11:12 PM

I agree fully with conscientious practice. Can public institutions not have some other medic provide or dispense the controversial service, rather than a conscientiouos objector being forced to work against his conscience? How, and by whom, is morality defined? Where does the tyranny of the ungodly stop? And it is a very false, and consummately inappropriate, analogy to equate presumed right to morning after pill and to "assisted suicide" with the right to some other life-and-death medical services needed by patients for legitimate purposes. Curlin's concluding point should be taken seriously, and people of God had better wake up!

Amy	Posted: February 17, 2009 8:31 PM


I think if they don't want to do their job and provide patient care then they should find another line of work!

phil	Posted: February 16, 2009 8:54 PM


this is what those who voted for the "hope" project voted for.

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