LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY vanar_en_daeor)

Excerpts/Comments:
Although some independent experts say that some of the institute's offerings may be acceptable alternatives for religious patients, as long as they are fully informed about their options, others view its work as a disturbing example of religion intruding into secular society.

"Combining medicine and religion is dangerous," said the Rev. Carlton W. Veazey, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. "This tendency is creeping into our health-care system."

The trend will become particularly worrisome, some say, if religiously shaped medicine begins to displace and curtail access to standard medical care.

"If you look at what's happened with abortion services being severely limited in large parts of the country, this is not at all an unrealistic fear," said R. Alta Charo, a bioethicist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

That is precisely what concerns me.

While most of the patients are Catholic, Hilgers accepts anyone. He said they are drawn by his holistic approach, attentive care and superior outcomes.

And I'm not sure this makes it any better, though I do believe in natural/holistic healing in conjunction with 'western' medicine.


======= Article ========
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15490828/

Where medicine, faith coexist
Institute balances reproductive medicine and Catholicism

By Rob Stein
The Washinton Post
Updated: 10:29 p.m. ET Oct 30, 2006

OMAHA - Craig Turczynski traveled from Texas to find ways to help infertile women that do not conflict with his religious beliefs. Cherie LeFevre came from St. Louis to learn how to treat her OB-GYN patients in obedience to her Catholicism. Amie Holmes flew from Ohio so she could practice medicine in conformity with church teachings when she graduates from medical school.

On a journey that would blend the aura of a pilgrimage with the ambience of a medical seminar, the three arrived at an unassuming three-story red-brick building on a quiet side street in this Missouri River city.

Their destination was the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, which has become perhaps the most prominent women's health center serving Catholics and other doctors, medical students and patients who object for religious reasons to in vitro fertilization, contraceptives and other aspects of modern reproductive medicine.
( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY vanar_en_daeor)

“We have to get away from what the politicians are saying,” she said, “and get women’s lives back in the picture.”

Good for these women!

===================

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15119353/

Ms. magazine names women who had abortions
More than 5,000 signed petition saying they are unashamed of decision
Updated: 12:15 p.m. ET Oct 5, 2006

New York - At a pivotal time in the abortion debate, Ms. magazine is releasing its fall issue next week with a cover story titled “We Had Abortions,” accompanied by the names of thousands of women nationwide who signed a petition making that declaration.

The publication coincides with what the abortion-rights movement considers a watershed moment for its cause. Abortion access in many states is being curtailed, activists are uncertain about the stance of the U.S. Supreme Court, and South Dakotans vote Nov. 7 on a measure that would ban virtually all abortions in their state, even in cases of rape and incest.
( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY velvetpage)

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061101/25698.htm

A highlight:

"It seems entirely possible that current events such as the Tom Foley scandal, instances of abuse by clergy, and the sexually oriented school shootings of recent months are not mere aberrations, but symptoms of a sexually unrestrained society.”

After all, sex abuse by clergy never happened before the Sexual Revolution. No political figures ever were caught out in any kind of illicit sex. It couldn't simply be that they're more likely to be caught now. Oh, no. [/sarcasm]

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY roseross)

Many Americans Not 'Absolutely Certain' Of God

"Not everyone who described themselves as Christian or Jewish said that they believed in God. Only 76 percent of Protestants, 64 percent of Catholics, and 30 percent of Jews said they are 'absolutely certain' there is a God. However, [93 percent of] Christians who described themselves as 'born-again' said they are absolutely certain there is a God."

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY helenangel)

At least we can all rest easy at night knowing that rabid Dominionist "Crazy Kathy" Harris has little chance of winning Bill Nelson's seat in the Senate. (Needless to say, I voted for Nelson.)

Best. Quote. Ever.
Rollins said Harris, who has compared herself to the biblical Esther, once told him that God wanted her to become a senator. ''Maybe God wants you to run because he wants Bill Nelson to be senator,'' Rollins said he told her.

(Ed Rollins was a former Reagan White House strategist who defected from Harris' campaign.)

I'm also pleased to see that another Dominionist, Santorum, is quite behind Casey Jr. in the polls.