A deal announced Aug 19 allows the Catholic organization Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas to take over control of Exempla Lutheran of Wheat Ridge and Good Samaritan of Lafayette, allowing Catholic doctrine to guide hospital activity. Many complaints have been leveled claiming the Catholics are forcing their beliefs on others. Moreover, plenty effort has been exerted by critics of the deal, trying to either force the hospitals to continue performing abortions and some birth control procedures or to prevent the sale from going through. Thankfully these efforts failed, reason and tolerance prevailed, and the merger is moving forward. The irony is that it is the opponents of the sale that were attempting to force their beliefs on others.
I find it disappointing, although not terribly surprising, how little some in our community understand freedom. One major aspect of freedom is the right to hold certain religious views and then (and this is where the freedom starts to have real meaning) to lead your life in a manner consistent with those views.
For instance, folks who wouldn’t dare force a Conscientious Objector off to war to kill others, who wouldn’t force a Jewish restaurant to serve pork, a Hindu one beef or a Muslim one alcohol, would have no hesitation forcing a Catholic hospital to perform abortions and provide birth control. Ideally, in the opponents’ mind, we ought to prohibit the sale of the hospital to the Catholics.
Apparently, of little significance is it, to the critics, that the owners and staff believe that the pre-born are innocent people. Apparently, of little significance is it that no one is being forced to seek services at the hospital. As stated in many articles, Kaiser will choose to direct patients to other facilities. Apparently, of little significance is it that some people cannot, in good conscience, work at a place that kills, in their opinion, innocent human beings.
Examples of religious intolerance are easy to find. Regarding this issue, Boulder Daily Camera editorial staff have asked, “Why should a religious group parcel out only those health-care services with which it feels comfortable?” Imagine asking wh y a Quaker, enlisted in the army, should only be expected to carry out those functions with which they are comfortable? Are we really that intolerant? Is it really that hard to see this from someone else’s perspective? Unfortunately, I think for a few the answer is yes.
I know it is extremely difficult for some to imagine, but consider, it just may be that those extremists, those fanatical Catholics, are actually providing what they think is complete health care. They just might be offering a service consistent with a worldview that holds that society doesn’t benefit by killing the innocent – even if they aren’t yet born – or the unproductive. A worldview that holds that life is more rewarding, and society is healthier, if we welcome the fruit of love between a man and woman.
Although it took nearly four years, freedom, reason and justice prevailed with the court and other reviewer s finding that this Catholic institution, like other organizations, should be granted the freedom to operate consistent with its principles.
What folks need to understand is that freedom is not when other individuals, and every business, caters to your belief system. Freedom is having the right to express your religious views, especially in your profession, especially when they differ from the majority. That’s what I would call “not forcing your beliefs on others.”
Charlie Danaher lives in Boulder. EDITOR’S NOTE: This online-only guest commentary has not been edited. Guest commentary submissions of up to 650 words may be sent to openforum@denverpost.com.
