Below is an Associated Press article that caught my attention. First, let me establish one thing. I don't agree with the Catholic Church stand against contraceptives, but I do believe they have the right to teach such to their parishioners. Furthermore, I think people of the Catholic faith have the right to establish pharmacies as stated in the below article. Why are religious freedoms being fought so ferociously??? If you want birth control, don't shop at the below pharmacy. You can usually find a pharmacy within 10 blocks of any location. Pick a different one. But DON'T try to block the pharmacy that practices their religion. Let me give you an example. There is a doctor in our community who refuses to perform circumcisions based on his religious beliefs. Infant boys have been assigned this pediatrician in the hospital. If the parents want their son circumcised, they are instructed to select a different pediatrician. This doctor has not been sued nor had boycotts to suspend his license. Instead, parents choose a different doctor. I am sick and tired of having beliefs and lifestyles crammed down my throat with which I don't agree. You have your right to your belief but don't force it on me. Furthermore, why steal my freedom of religion and force me to violate my convictions? Is freedom only granted to those who share the same view?!? ABSURD!!!
Oct 22, 12:28 AM (ET)By MATTHEW BARAKAT
CHANTILLY, Va. (AP) - A new drug store at a Virginia strip mall is putting its faith in an unconventional business plan: No candy. No sodas. And no birth control. Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy is among at least seven pharmacies across the nation that are refusing as a matter of faith to sell contraceptives of any kind, even if a person has a prescription. States across the country have been wrestling with the issue of pharmacists who refuse on religious grounds to dispense birth control or morning-after pills, and some have enacted laws requiring drug stores to fill the prescriptions. In Virginia, though, pharmacists can turn away any prescription for any reason. "I am grateful to be able to practice," pharmacy manager Robert Semler said, "where my conscience will never be violated and my faith does not have to be checked at the door each morning."
The store only sells items that are health -related, including vitamins, skin care products and over-the-counter medications. On Tuesday, the pharmacy celebrated a blessing from Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. While Divine Mercy Care is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, it is guided by church teachings on sexuality, which forbid any form of artificial contraception, including morning-after pills, condoms and birth control pills, a common prescription used by millions of women in the U.S. The drug store is the seventh in the country to be certified as not prescribing birth control by Pharmacists for Life International.
Entire article here: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20081022/D93VAPIG0.html
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Sis Jana, you're mad that they have this store?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me kinda cool that they are allowing places to have choices, and that the doctor doesn't have to do a surgery he feels is wrong. I think that's what religious freedom is about, as long as they allow my own religious freedom as well....it would be bad to live somewhere that you didn't have the freedom to open up a religious store of any kind.
I do wish, however, that there was freedom to wear skirts (women's apparel) in any job. (Well, except jobs like working on an oil rig, that might be a problem. Then again, I'm sure not many women aspire to work on oil rigs? LOL) Anyway, but maybe I'm totally missing the argument here? *confused*
I follow you, as far as not blocking the door, only if you feel the same way about people who block the path to abortion clinics.
ReplyDeleteJANELLLLLLLL - - -THE CANADIAN AIR HAS AFFECTED THE FLOW OF OXYGEN TO YOUR BRAIN!!!! NO!!!!!!! I am NOT mad that they have this store!!! Read the entire article. I am mad at the people who are protesting it and trying to force them to sell contraceptives. Surely, you know me better than that!
ReplyDeleteHelen - I am not a supporter of abortion but you will never find me in the drive-way of an abortion clinic trying to stop women from entering. In my years of ministry I have, on occasion, been approached by young ladies wondering "what to do." My first response to them is, "Have you considered an abortion?" Without fail, the young lady will look at me in utter shock and say, "No! That is murder!" My standard response to them is they need to get a conviction against having sex out of the bonds of marriage as strong as they have a conviction against abortion. I abhor immorality as much as I do murder. Even so, people still have their choice to make regardless of my opinion and I allow them the right to "screw up" their life.
Whew Honey! You wanna preach tonight?
ReplyDeleteBrian, my love - OH, NOOOOOOO!!!!!! That's what you do best and you did a fabulous job tonight. I loved that lesson on motivation. You're the best!
ReplyDeleteSis. Jana, well spoken about having as deep convictions about fornication as we do abortion!
ReplyDeleteAbortion = legalized murder. A crime not against only yourself, but against another innocent soul. No, I won't block the path, but I certainly will do my best to prevent people from even desiring to walk the path.
Jana--You go! I've with you all the way.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pastor, You did an awesome job on that message! Motivation, I don't want the bad motives only the good motives for serving God. But let me tell you Sis. Allard I think you could have given us a what for if you would have preached.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am sick and tired of people craming their beliefs down our throats and yet we are to sit back and keep our mouth shut and never say a word about ours. Now they are saying we can't even practice our beliefs. No, it is time we make and stand and say enough is enough.
James - I wish you could see the faces of the girls who I have counseled that were pregnant out of wedlock. When I ask them if they have considered abortion, the shocked look on their face is almost funny if the situation wasn't so serious. For the record, I always let them know I don't believe in abortion and discourage any girl from aborting her baby. I just want them to know they have the capability of possessing a strong conviction. Can you imagine what church would be like if all convictions were held as strongly as the conviction against abortion?
ReplyDeleteShirley - should I say you are contagious? LOL
Jolene - Pastor Allard and I had been discussing some scriptures since Monday night prayer meeting. He told me his Bible Study for this week correlated to our discussion. Needless to say, it was a great study and brought out many awesome thoughts. I liked the thought repentance is not a one-sided affair and you can do the right thing for the wrong reason. Oh, it was all good! He's my sweetheart AND favorite preacher. :)