We’ve talked quite a bit health care on this blog as of late. Today, though, let’s listen to what a few well-known Christians and religious types have to say.
First up is Brian McLaren, author of “A New Kind of Christian” and several other books that, in part, have helped shape the Emergent Church movement. Here, he gives us “An Open Letter to Conservative Christians in the U.S., On Health Care.”
Keith Pavlischek of First Things, a conservative Christian blog, writes his own open letter — asking McLaren, in essence, whether he truly believes any health care proposal ratified by Barack Obama and a Congress controlled by the Democrats is likely to be “abortion neutral” (McLaren’s words). Pavlischek cites a recent column by fellow evangelical Michael Gerson, Washington Post columnist (and former speechwriter for George W. Bush) in his post.
Of course, if the so-called “public option” is dead, all this consternation over government-funded abortion will likely be moot: So says Steven Waldman over at Beliefnet.com.
Jim Wallis, a prominent leader of evangelicalism’s left wing, has been predictably outspoken in the need for health care reform. Some of his thoughts can be seen here and here. Or, if you’d rather just watch, check out the clip below.
Wallis’ organization Sojourners join a host of mainline denominations in support of some form of health care overhaul (including the Espicopal Church, the United Methodists, the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). The National Association of Evangelicals believes there should be a serious dialogue on health care reform, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have gone on record as supporting universal health care. But both organizations, in no uncertain terms, say any reform should steer clear of government-funded abortion.
Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission believes the bill proposed in the House of Representatives is “dangerous,” and former Moral Majority leader Ralph Reed’s new organization, the Faith and Freedom Coalition, is taking a hard stance against any government solution to health care. You can even sign a petition to that effect on the FFC site.
And Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries says that, while health care definitely could use an overhaul, he doubts whether government should be in charge of it.
I’m sure we’ll hear from others as time goes on, so stay tuned.
