Friday, March 2, 2012

Life, Death, the Establishment, and Some Guy in Minnesota

A few minutes ago, I did something 'political.' I sent a message to Representative Collin Peterson, in the U. S. House of Representatives:
"I am concerned about health and health care. But I also believe that the lives of people are precious: even people who are too young to be immediately useful. As a practicing Catholic, I do not think that killing innocent people is right: regardless of their current status or age. Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179). The Obama administration's decision to mandate coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure especially urgent. Please ensure that the religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our nation's health care system are respected.

"Sincerely,

"Brian H. Gill"
(Message sent through National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA) (March 2, 2012))
Everything from "Please co-sponsor and" on is boilerplate text provided by the NCHLA.

Making a Difference

Do I think that one message to one politico can make a difference? Particularly one sent by some guy in a small town in central Minnesota: through a PAC (Political Action Committee)?

Honestly, no. If "make a difference" means forcing a sudden and dramatic change in the political and social policies of America's leaders: together with the underlying philosophical positions. I simply don't have that kind of power. Which is just as well: and that's another topic.

But if "make a difference" means adding one more drop to a flood of resistance to today's establishment? Yes, I think that message 'made a difference.'

If you think that forcing someone to violate his or her conscience is a bad idea, you can 'make a difference,' too. No pressure, of course. As a practicing Catholic, I have to respect the beliefs of others. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2106)

There's a link to that petition on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website:
But, like I've said before: no pressure.

Life, Death, and Getting a Grip

I don't think the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate - the one that forces folks to pay for 'women's health services' - is a good idea.

A reasonable question, given the preferred reality of America's establishment, is 'what's the big deal?'

Opposing the HHS mandate sounds like 'anti-woman,' 'anti-health,' 'hate speech.' After all, the HHS simply wants to force hospitals, employers, and insurance companies to pay for 'women's health services.' Yes: It's a little more complicated than that. I've been over the HHS mandate before. A lot.

The problem is that 'women's health services' in America includes abortion, sterilization, and artificial contraception. I've wondered how much of that is motivated by a desire to keep the sex machines from producing awkward side-effects: and that's yet another topic.

Life, Health, and Reason

I can't 'go with the flow' and willingly allow myself to directly or indirectly pay for the destruction of human life.

I believe that:
  • Human life is sacred
    (Catechism, 2258)
  • Murder is wrong
    (Catechism, 2259-2262, 2268-2269)
    • Even if the victim is
  • Concern for health is a good idea
    (Catechism, 2288-2291)
    • Within reason
      (Catechism, 2289)
  • Scientific medical research is a good idea
    (Catechism, 2292-2296)
Most beliefs in that list are strongly counter-cultural in today's America. I think that's why there's so much fury about the "Jesus-eating cult" that opposes what America's establishment stands for.

But I'd rather be part of the Catholic counter-culture, than trade my conscience for the world's approval. 1 John 2:17, and all that.
More posts about forcing Catholics to violate our conscience:
The Department of Health and Human Services vs. Conscience
Related posts:

2 comments:

Brigid said...

Missing a space: "Health and Human Services (HHS)mandate"

Missing a period: "approval. 1 John 2:17, and all that"

The Friendly Neighborhood Proofreader

Brian H. Gill said...

Brigid,

Found, fixed, and thanks!

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What's That Doing in a Nice Catholic Blog?

From time to time, a service that I use will display links to - odd - services and retailers.

I block a few of the more obvious dubious advertisers.

For example: psychic anything, numerology, mediums, and related practices are on the no-no list for Catholics. It has to do with the Church's stand on divination. I try to block those ads.

Sometime regrettable advertisements get through, anyway.

Bottom line? What that service displays reflects the local culture's norms, - not Catholic teaching.