One of the most interesting pieces of news is perhaps a little buried beneath the headlines.
An Illinois court has made the ruling that pharmacists will not be required to stock the morning after pill. This is a remarkable victory for some battling Christian small business owners who have been threatened with going out of business because of their commitment to Christian values. As part of the process it emerged that the original mandate to force all pharmacies to carry Plan B was actually autographed by Planned Parenthood. Under the instruction of the previous Mayor of Chicago the wheels were set in motion. But now, though of course the ruling will be appealed, there is reason for celebration. Much prayer, faithfulness, clarity has allowed Christians to continue to operate within this area of medical practice.
Conscience clause
Let us review what is at stake with such decisions. The ruling is not making it impossible to find a morning after pill, nor is it removing the availability of abortion, nor is it making that form of procedure unavailable. Instead the ruling is simply upholding the freedom of conscience to operate upon a moral and religious framework in such areas. Surely, you would think that that sort of freedom of choice would be relatively straightforward, even with Planned Parenthood advocates arguing their corner? Far from it apparently. Instead a long battle ensued, and has now turned in a new direction. You can review the details of the process at http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/April/Judge-Pharmacists-Dont-Have-to-Dispense-Plan-B/
Stability of civilisation
While no doubt there are great complexities, both sociologically and ideologically, that lie in the background to such social movements, and differences of viewpoint, the very terms (‘Freedom of Choice’) normally used to advocate for one particular position are all that is necessary to realise that an alternative position should not be legally victimised.
What’s more, as Harvard sociologist Carle Zimmerman prophetically described in his 1947 monograph Family and Civilisation, such movements that undermine commitment to family have massive consequences for the stability of Western civilisations. The sexual revolution continues to have a devastating impact on the viability of Western civilisation going forward. And here are some Christian businessmen fighting the corner for the right to do what they believe is right, based upon the Christian convictions of the gospel that there is value in every single person.
With much bad news, and fear, and foundation shaking going on in the world these days, it is good to hear of a little battle with big consequences being fought well, with godliness, and with ongoing repercussions, no doubt.
