Legislating Immorality
by Douglas Hoff
Not too many years ago the battle cry of those who opposed the Bible was, “You can’t legislate morality!” This is an expression of contempt for the absolute authority of God’s word as the standard of morality. However, these people were not consistent in their application. The cries of protest came only as it affected a sin they practiced. When it came to other matters, they expected and even demanded the benefits of laws dealing with issues of morality.
For example, these opponents of legislating morality might get upset at lawmakers who were considering a bill that forbid homosexual unions. But, if one of their lovers was murdered, they would be the first to demand justice. It would be reasonable to ask why. The reply would be that murder is wrong and ought to be punished. Inherent in the statement is the recognition that a standard of behavior exists. Generally speaking, every culture considers murder to be wrong. But, what is the basis for this condemnation? Is it simply that man declares it to be wrong? If so, what would happen if a particular society no longer considered it a punishable crime? Opponents of legislating morality would probably be the first to introduce a bill outlawing murder!
Those who decry legislating
morality understand the power of laws to shape and enforce behavior. Lamentably, the forces of evil have succeeded
in taking this country even farther down the path to destruction (Proverbs
On
Sadly, there are those who do not consider this to be the taking of human life. This is evident from the language which was used for the bill. Introduced as the “Access to Birth Control Act” it would seem innocuous enough. The bill would require pharmacies that carry contraceptives to offer Plan B. Thus, it is made to appear as nothing more than another form of contraception.
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) who introduced the bill said, “It is about health care. It’s about the basic right to birth control.” Again, notice how these comments blur the distinction between contraception (i.e., preventing conception) and terminating a human being’s life.
The legislation would require pharmacies to “ensure that the contraceptive [emphasis added; DBH] is provided to the customer without delay.” The bill also says pharmacy employees may not “intimidate, threaten, or harass customers in the delivery of services relating to a request for contraception” or “interfere with or obstruct the delivery of services relating to a request for contraception.” Penalties for violations of the act include a fine of $5,000 per day. Women denied Plan B could sue for damages in civil court.
There is something terribly wrong when people have come to believe they have a “Constitutional right” to murder their unborn children. On a positive note there is some reason to hope that some may learn the truth. Many pharmacists have refused to prescribe the “morning after pill” and say they would leave the pharmacy business if such legislation is passed.
“The
wicked shall be turned into hell, And
all the nations that forget God” (Psalms.
Douglas Hoff, preacher
(734) 782-2886 [
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