There is a quote from Nazi Germany attributed to Martin Niemöller that is
some variation of the following:
In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade
unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me - and by that time no one was left to speak up.
At what point would you stand up and speak up for the rights of someone that was different from you, someone with whom, perhaps, you even vehemently disagree?
There was a news story this week about Catholic Hospitals and other non-profit religious organizations being forced by the new health care laws to provide insurance for their employees that includes birth control and the 'morning after' pill which are diametrically opposed to the teaching of the Catholic religion. The Catholic church is fighting back against this law claiming it is unconstitutional.
The question to think about is this: Should you defend the religious freedom of the Catholic church against an intrusive law even if you are not Catholic and don't think they are right about birth control? What is the straw that breaks the camel's back with you? Where would you draw the line and say this has gone too far?
Just think about it.
some variation of the following:
In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade
unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me - and by that time no one was left to speak up.
At what point would you stand up and speak up for the rights of someone that was different from you, someone with whom, perhaps, you even vehemently disagree?
There was a news story this week about Catholic Hospitals and other non-profit religious organizations being forced by the new health care laws to provide insurance for their employees that includes birth control and the 'morning after' pill which are diametrically opposed to the teaching of the Catholic religion. The Catholic church is fighting back against this law claiming it is unconstitutional.
The question to think about is this: Should you defend the religious freedom of the Catholic church against an intrusive law even if you are not Catholic and don't think they are right about birth control? What is the straw that breaks the camel's back with you? Where would you draw the line and say this has gone too far?
Just think about it.
