One of the most interesting pieces of news is perhaps a little buried beneath the headlines.
An Illinois court has made the ruling that pharmacists will not be required to stock the morning after pill. This is a remarkable victory for some battling Christian small business owners who have been threatened with going out of business because of their commitment to Christian values. As part of the process it emerged that the original mandate to force all pharmacies to carry Plan B was actually autographed by Planned Parenthood. Under the instruction of the previous Mayor of Chicago the wheels were set in motion. But now, though of course the ruling will be appealed, there is reason for celebration. Much prayer, faithfulness, clarity has allowed Christians to continue to operate within this area of medical practice.
Conscience clause
Let us review what is at stake with such decisions. The ruling is not making it impossible to find a morning after pill, nor is it removing the availability of abortion, nor is it making that form of procedure unavailable. Instead the ruling is simply upholding the freedom of conscience to operate upon a moral and religious framework in such areas. Surely, you would think that that sort of freedom of choice would be relatively straightforward, even with Planned Parenthood advocates arguing their corner? Far from it apparently. Instead a long battle ensued, and has now turned in a new direction. You can review the details of the process at http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/April/Judge-Pharmacists-Dont-Have-to-Dispense-Plan-B/
