Right of Conscience

I was listening this morning to Brian Byers on WSOY, talking about how he couldn't fathom a pharmacist not dispensing the morning-after pill because of religious reasons. Brian's reasoning was, that if one knew that sort of thing was going on at one's place of business, why would one even want to work there in the first place?

Well, let's say, for the sake of your argument, that if a person was a Christian, and one wanted to keep away from all that was not of God or not involve one's self in a place of business that had the potential of doing something that was not 'Christian,' I think that doing that is entirely possible. In fact, there are whole groups of people who live together to try to escape from just that. They're called AMISH. (But yet, the meth labs somehow find their way to Arthur anyway...) :^)=)

In the medical world, professionals have what is called a right of conscience. That means that a pharmacist may do his/her job day after day, serve the people's needs day after day, and do this job very well. However, when asked to do something that conflicts with their religion, they have a right to refuse, and allow someone else to perform that function. Similarly, a physician, for instance, cannot be mandated to perform abortions (although there are some in the ACLU that are trying to get residency programs and others to do just that); they can by right of conscience refuse. Doctors do not have to give out contraception if they feel that it conflicts with their religious values. In all of these cases, however, they must offer the patient an alternative provider who may provide that service or prescription if the patient so chooses. It's not that the patients' are barred from these things, it's just that the professionals do not wish to participate in things that conflict with what is against their religion.

Most are trying to be a "good witness." If others who see them and know they are "christian" do things which are not associated with being christian, then how can they expect to be considered someone who "walks the walk and talks the talk"....kind of like the comment made on my last post about the priest abuse. Regardless of denomination (but especially if one is in church leadership) living a life consistent with the teaching of one's religion is essential for one to be believed. Professionals are no different. I have heard many say that there should be no separation between one's spiritual life and one's secular life; one should be the same person in both places otherwise one is not being true to one's self.

The "sermon preached by one's life" and it's consistency with the message of Christianity I think is what these people are trying to achieve, not irritating and ticking off customers/patients/radio station hosts. The way that the professional handles the situation, though, may make all the difference in the world!

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By the way, I am not Muslim, so I can ask you to donate to Brian Byer's Kiss-The-Pig campaign for the ADA. It would be a great way to let Brian know how much we all enjoy Byers & Company in the morning, and how much we want him to win (not to mention how much I think we would all like to see the American Diabetes Association get some well-needed funds...) So, call 875-1340 and tell Pugs you want to help!

Until next time...