LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

Hooray for common sense and boldness! The governor of Arizona has vetoed a bill requiring AZ abortion providers to tell women seeking abortions about fetal pain.

Napolitano, in a three-sentence veto message, called the legislation "an unwarranted intrusion by politicians" into the doctor-patient relationship.
"The Legislature should not attempt to substitute its judgment for that of trained physicians with respect to professional advice given to patients," the governor wrote.

Hooray for a little common sense!

The Daily Kos has more discussion of the 'fetal pain' tactic of pro-life forces.

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

This op-ed column from the Philidelphia Inquirer talks about the biggest threat to Christianity: misuse of the faith...

Recovering faith from its misuse
By Scott M. Korb and Rabbi Leon A. Morris

In the Book of Exodus, after hearing God's own voice, and with Moses up on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the ancient Israelites create and worship a golden calf, proclaiming, "This is our God." Moses famously breaks the stone tablets when he descends to the foot of the mountain.( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY sunfell)

I found this little gem tucked away in a Baptist Studies newletter. Enjoy!

"In Response To ... The 'War on Christians'"
By Bruce T. Gourley

Late last month two Baptist leaders in America stood before a few hundred fundamentalists in Washington, D.C., and declared that a “war on Christians” has been declared by American culture. Baptist minister Rick Scarborough, head of the theocratic think-tank Vision America (visionamerica.org), led the charge. Standing by his side was indicted Baptist layman Tom DeLay. Their evidence of “Christian persecution?” Some Americans dare to say bad things about their particular brand of Christianity (see USA TODAY, 3/30/06). Ironically, Scarborough’s Vision America says equally bad things about religious people with whom he disagrees, including other Christians.( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY wyldraven)

Theocons and Theocrats
Kevin Phillips in The Nation

Is theocracy in the United States (1) a legitimate fear, as some liberals argue; (2) a joke, given the nation's rising secular population and moral laxity; (3) a worrisome bias of major GOP constituencies and pressure groups; or (4) all of the above? The last, I would argue.

Interesting take on the reason for this community...

Also, we have this ABC/Washington Post poll, April 2005.