Conscience Clauses
This time, Ellen Goodman weighs in on the debate, at the Washington Post:

Yes, we want people to have a strong moral compass. But they have to coexist with others whose compasses point in another direction. In the debate over conscience clauses, Frances Kissling of Catholics for a Free Choice says, properly, "There is very little recognition that the conscience of the woman is as important, let alone more important, than the conscience of the provider."

Pharmacists don't have the same claim to refuse filling a prescription as a doctor has to refuse performing an abortion. But there are other ways to exercise a private conscience clause. Indeed, in a conflict between your job and your ethics, you can quit. It happens every day.

Exactly. As tena says, "No one is trying to force women who have objections to birth control and abortion to take birth control or have an abortion. No one has ever tried to force these things on anyone in this country. But the converse is not true - those who oppose women's reproductive freedom are doing everything they can to force a matter of their personal consciences onto everyone else."

That is the difference between us and the fundies. Progressive aren't trying to tell people how to live their lives--if the fundies want to forego birth control, squeeze out a new baby every year, and teach their children to say the Jesus Pledge*** every day, more power to 'em. But stop telling me how to live my life. And stop doing things that directly affect my personal choices. At this point, I hope some pharmacist does refuse to fill my scrip next time I head over to the Walgreens, because I am dying to have an outlet for this rage. They better be prepared.

***"I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe."
- posted by TJ @ 3:31 PM