Immoral Knowledge

You would think that you cannot commit a moral violation simply by learning something. Apparently, even knowledge can be a dangerous and thus sinful possession. Looking beyond IMAX theatres holding off showing various documentaries because they endorse evolution or as I like to call it...reality, a state issue has revealed this of late.

Presently in the state legislature, a bill passed (pending Governor Owens signing or taking no action on it) that would force all ERs in the state to notify rape victims of the existence of the morning after pill to avoid pregnancy. It does not force them (many of them private Catholic institutions) to go against their beliefs and provide the pills (which do not abort but rather prevent an embryo from attaching to the uterine wall.) The bill simply suggests that the information should be presented for the individual to decide. Seems very reasonable right?

Never shying away from hyperbole, one state senator from El Paso County (I should have copied down his name when I was reading the Gazette article he was quoted in) declares that this bill will force Catholic hospitals to shut down their emergency rooms in order to avoid having to tell a rape victim, that might come in, about the morning-after option. Somehow, this is to protect their conscience. This would allegedly force all emergency victims into less hospitals and mean bad service. I highly doubt that the Catholic hospitals would actually close their ER; certainly the toll on their conscience from doing that would be much greater than mentioning the existence (not advocating) of the morning-after pill.

One thing is clear, on the issue of contraception, birth control, even the morning after pill, the far right does not represent the views of a large majority of Americans. Especially in the case of rape, Americans find more aggressive means to avoid pregnancy tolerable. Indeed, to deny a woman's rights and force her to suffer the results of her rape for months on end is unconscionable. One thing is for sure; the knowledge of an option can only help, not hurt.

My prediction is that the bill will become law, the public opinion, behind the vocal minority of religious extremism that too often dominates the political sphere in this state, is simply too strong. After a year or two, it will have produced no negative effects with regards to ERs closing but will have done the right thing by providing more knowledge, something progressives always find to be beneficial, unlike their counterparts. This example shows yet again the importance of getting information out to people...knowledge is power, and it is a power that greatly favors progressives.