I've been very concerned about the appropriation of the medical system by Catholic organizations. It's a real threat to the health and lives of women, imho.
It would be interesting to see an atheist hospital system. It would be likely to treat such issues as abortion and GLBTI rights in a much saner and possibly more humane way. People can have moments of real panic that they feel can only be addressed by seeing a priest/professional practitioner of their belief system of choice, though, so I wouldn't want to deprive anyone of such solace, no matter how misguided I might think it. Perhaps an agnostic, non-profit hospital system would provide the most leeway.
Oh, I hear ya. When a religious organization beatifies a woman for willingly dying in childbirth, it gives me the willies like you wouldn't believe. (Well, OK, you would.)
I hate saying things like that because I'm Cajun and most of my family is Catholic, and this unbeliever said Hail Marys at rosary along with everyone else during visitation for my deceased grandfather last November, because I love him a lot and it's what he believed. But I don't appreciate it being shoved down my throat against my will, which is what happens when Catholics own hospitals and tell me what kind of medical care I'm allowed to get.
I would be happy just keeping the government secular and letting it run the hospitals, frankly... this is one place a single-payer system could do us a lot of good, if they didn't make exceptions to the rule about religious organizations not using federal funds to proselytize.
Agreed, on all counts. What bothers me more than the beatification you mention is the institution that forces the doctor to save the unborn baby when a choice must be made, regardless of what the woman's wishes might be. In Orthodox Judaism, without which Catholicism couldn't exist, the doctor in the same circumstances is required to save the mother.
I'm very sorry to hear about your grandfather. If the church actually walked its talk, it would recognize that your gift to him at that visitation was far more valid in its own canon than any forced religious expression or refusal to provide needed medical care. Purism never works.
Couldn't agree more with your last paragraph. We'd all be better off with a secular, non-biased, inclusive, competent government running the essential things like hospitals. Of course, finding/making such a government is quite a task.
I think in Islam the same requirement exists; it's certainly the only time later in a pregnancy that most or all of the authorities agree an abortion is acceptable. But Islam has this thing about not committing suicide. I thought Christianity was the same way, so it's very odd to see the Catholic Church applauding what amounts to a death wish.
(I'm not Muslim either, but I have read a lot about the faith in the past year.)
It's terrible for the baby, too. A newborn expects its mother to hold it soon after birth, and expects to be raised by its mother primarily, and when Mama's not there, it's like a primal wound to the psyche. I can't believe the Church wishes that on children either.
And I just realized that talking about Islam prohibiting suicide is going to sound very, very odd. But it does. It's one thing if you go out literally fighting for the faith and the enemy kills you; quite another matter to deliberately end your own life. It's for that reason that Islam also frowns upon unnecessary surgery, among other things.
It's weird what you pick up and didn't even realize it. Hmmm...
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Date: 2008-06-23 03:32 pm (UTC)It would be interesting to see an atheist hospital system. It would be likely to treat such issues as abortion and GLBTI rights in a much saner and possibly more humane way. People can have moments of real panic that they feel can only be addressed by seeing a priest/professional practitioner of their belief system of choice, though, so I wouldn't want to deprive anyone of such solace, no matter how misguided I might think it. Perhaps an agnostic, non-profit hospital system would provide the most leeway.
Catherine
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Date: 2008-06-23 03:45 pm (UTC)I hate saying things like that because I'm Cajun and most of my family is Catholic, and this unbeliever said Hail Marys at rosary along with everyone else during visitation for my deceased grandfather last November, because I love him a lot and it's what he believed. But I don't appreciate it being shoved down my throat against my will, which is what happens when Catholics own hospitals and tell me what kind of medical care I'm allowed to get.
I would be happy just keeping the government secular and letting it run the hospitals, frankly... this is one place a single-payer system could do us a lot of good, if they didn't make exceptions to the rule about religious organizations not using federal funds to proselytize.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-23 04:20 pm (UTC)I'm very sorry to hear about your grandfather. If the church actually walked its talk, it would recognize that your gift to him at that visitation was far more valid in its own canon than any forced religious expression or refusal to provide needed medical care. Purism never works.
Couldn't agree more with your last paragraph. We'd all be better off with a secular, non-biased, inclusive, competent government running the essential things like hospitals. Of course, finding/making such a government is quite a task.
Catherine
no subject
Date: 2008-06-23 04:37 pm (UTC)(I'm not Muslim either, but I have read a lot about the faith in the past year.)
It's terrible for the baby, too. A newborn expects its mother to hold it soon after birth, and expects to be raised by its mother primarily, and when Mama's not there, it's like a primal wound to the psyche. I can't believe the Church wishes that on children either.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-23 04:39 pm (UTC)It's weird what you pick up and didn't even realize it. Hmmm...