Responding to Nelda’s Sept 1, 2012 letter.
Someone may have reminded you by now that it was Republican congressman Todd Akin of Missouri who claimed an egg tends to repel a rapist’s sperm, when actually the rates of fertilization for rape and consensual intercourse are the same. He also used the thoughtless term “legitimate rape” which even he regrets. Jake objected (letter of Aug, 25, 2012). So do I.
You correctly acknowledge that the church should not run the government and the government is not to establish religion, which is often referred to as a “wall of separation of church and state.” Our society depends on a politically informed citizenry and freedom of religious choice.
The challenge is to appreciate one’s freedom while assuring the same freedom to another whose religious practice may differ. It is tyranny to force others to follow your religion. A Mormon, Muslim, Moonie or atheist should be free to follow his beliefs without being harassed.
Nelda, if you and your choice of religion abhor abortion, then don’t have an abortion. No woman should be forced to remain pregnant against her will, nor should a woman be forced to have an abortion against her will. Neither government nor church should decide this. The decision should rightfully be hers to make without hindrance. It seems so basic to human liberty that I don’t know why it should even need discussion.
Through religious coercion some states require that a woman be told that abortion may be dangerous to her health but fail to inform her carrying a pregnancy to term is more dangerous than a medical abortion. Why is honesty willingly compromised through half-truths to promote one ideology?
If you and your church wish to discuss God’s plan, keep in mind that all of God’s various plans are a matter of the hearsay of men. With profound emotion and pretense of great authority you may be told what one man said that some other man said who claims that God said, etc. We can all be gullible but are less likely to be duped by dogma if one learns to think critically for oneself.
Geri Jensen
Grand Marais
Leave a Reply