Virtual high five Sean for talking about the US Republican debate over the right of contraception’s and abortion happening right now during campaigning and election time. I don’t want to make this blog too political, but politics and the church have gone hand in hand for centuries. And the Church the Christian God is always a platform for many politicians. I remember when there was speculation that Obama could be a practitioner of Islam and that did not sit well with anyone. Within the real popular culture, and humor and politics there was been much coverage of the ongoing contraception debate, that was stipulated by Obama Administration , and back to the Bush Administration with the “Conscious clause.” Basically it gives the right for women to receive free contraception and abortion services. The conscious clause was rewritten by the Obama administration, stating that the law is intended to protect health care workers from having to perform procedures that violate their beliefs, not from having to serve patient that may have engaged in a behaviour that those providers disapprove of. The insurance companies would then have to provide the woman with the contraceptive not the religious charity or hospital she is affiliated. Since then there has been much ongoing debate, and it was question that brought up during the GOP debate of the Republican Primary. One of the most vocal advocate against these new provision is front runner Republican Rick Santorum, in my opinion is waging a war on women, as she slaps the face of any woman’s movement. Of course with all things political it is parodied in popular culture, like on SNL, The Colbert Report, and Jon Stewart.
http://goodolewoody.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/stephen-colbert-on-contraception-so-funny-youll-pee/
Steven Colbert commentary on the issue. Caution offensive and adult humor.
The fact that there is contraception is even up for debate in the US, is absolutely ridiculous, not only does it go against privacy laws, women’s rights, but also just on a health stance, the prevention of transmitting diseases like HIV/AIDS. How can contraception’s be up for debate? What century are we in?Can you imagine walking in to a store and not finding condoms and not being able to have birth control pills, or NuvaRings? I can’t believe that that I wrote, as if that’s even an issue in the 21 century. Contraception is not Abortion. The imposition of Christian religious doctrine of public and private social policy, when not everyone is Christian, is not fair, since when does the public policy have to fall suit within the moral parameters of a Christian God, as if it’s the only one. When it comes to abortion, very controversial issues, but by banning abortion, making it illegal it would go against woman rights over he own uterus and we would have to go and do back alley abortions, and woman fatality rates would just rise. Not only does the Christian right movements affect women in the USA, but also affects US funding to other parts of the world that provide health care and abortion and contraceptives to women in “3rd world countries” who cant afford to feed their children.
Here is a clip from Shareen Obaid Films on the some of the consequences of less funding in the Philippines, although abortion is already illegal, there was a stop in funding due to movements in the USA. She spent time in the capital, understanding the battle being played out between the Catholic Church’s pro-life groups and women rights groups.
http://sharmeenobaidfilms.com/2006/08/city-of-guilt-2/
Final thoughts, this issue on contraceptives and funded abortions should not even up for debate, what Obama Admin wants is fair and should be a service provided to all woman. In Ontario abortions are covered by OHIP up to 5 months, contraceptives are given out in all communities to all people, as it should be.
Preach, sister.
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