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:

• "Conscience Protection"
  (www.usccb.org/conscience)
  USCCB
  • Look for: "TAKE ACTION: Personalize your message to Congress now!!"
  • Check out
    • "Download the USCCB's HHS Mandate Bulletin Insert in English or en Español."
      (both in .pdf format)

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
    • Very young
      (Catechism, 2270-2275)
    • Sick or helpless
      (Catechism, 2276-2279)
    • Yourself
      (Catechism, 2280-2283)
• Concern for health is a good idea
  (Catechism, 2288-2291)
  • Within reason
    (Catechism, 2289)
• Scientific medical research is a good idea
  (Catechism, 2292-2296)
  • Within reason
    (Catechism, 2294-2296)

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:

• Department of Health and Human Services vs. conscience
  • "My Take on the News: 'Jesus-Eating Cult;' Godly Scientist; Insulting Our Intelligence"
    (March 2, 2012)
    Particularly
    • Insulting Our Intelligence
  • "The Spirit of Resistance"
    (February 26, 2012)
  • "HHS Mandate: Keeping the 'Wrong Sort' in Our Place?"
    (February 24, 2012)
  • "HHS Mandate, Conscience, and This Catholic"
    (February 19, 2012)
  • "HHS Mandate, Catholic Bishops, and Foster Auditorium"
    (February 12, 2012)
• Politics
  • " 'To Build a Better Future ... With Confidence Rather Than Resignation' "
    (February 20, 2012)
  • " 'I Take No Interest in Politics' isn't an Option"
    (March 29, 2010)
  • "Rebellious Youth, Protests, and The Establishment: in 2010"
    (January 26, 2010)
    Particularly
    • Good Morning, Information Age!
    • "The Establishment" - Woodstock to Political Correctness
  • "Conservative? Liberal? Democrat? Republican? No, I'm Catholic"
    (November 3, 2008)
  • "Life: It's a Single Issue, and an Important One"
    (November 2, 2008)
• Life issues
  • "Six Seven People Killed in Minnesota's Monday Crashes"
    (February 22, 2012)
  • "Steve Jobs, Jospeh Maraachli, and 'Reproductive Health:' My Take"
    (October 7, 2011)
  • "Going Global for Life: Wonderful News"
    (September 8, 2011)
  • "Remember: 'Clinically Dead' isn't 'Dead'"
    (October 22, 2010)
  • "Inconvenient Classes of Persons and Health Care"
    (July 26, 2009)
• The Catholic counter-culture
  • " 'Without Children there is no Future' "
    (February 19, 2012)
  • "Stem Cell Research, Assumptions, and Getting a Grip"
    (November 28, 2011)
  • "Loving Neighbors: No Matter What"
    (May 10, 2011)
  • "Sex, Marriage, and the Catholic Counter-Culture"
    (February 17, 2011)
  • " Being Counter-Cultural in 21st Century America "
    (March 17, 2009)