Womens' rights slipping away

The debate about birth control is starting to heat up in the US. A growing number of pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control, and even some doctors are refusing to discuss birth control with patients under any circumstances.

The reasoning? Because those pharmacists and doctors oppose birth control on moral grounds. As though things in this country aren't ridiculous enough, now we're having to contend with not getting our medical needs met. And some states are working on legislation that would protect these idiots. It's enough to make my blood boil.

A person's religious and moral values are personal. I have my own set of religious and moral values, but I don't jam them down another person's throat. Why? Because I happen to understand that we have a freedom of religion in this country, which means that people can either choose a religion or even choose not to have a religion. Plain and simple.

Here's a good rule of thumb for those who can't figure out the obvious:

• Don't become a stripper if you object to showing your body in public.


• Don't become a cook at a fast food restaurant if you object to cooking meat.


• Don't become a pharmacist if you object to filling prescriptions written by medical doctors.


• Don't become a doctor if you object to considering birth control as a valid treatment for various conditions, in addition to preventing pregnancy.

I realize that in areas where there are a lot of people, the impact of this type of objection is small. However, I'm concerned for women who live in rural areas where it may already be difficult enough for them to get to a doctor or pharmacy without the added issue of being judged by someone else's moral values.

More information in the article Pharmacists 'denying birth control' on the BBC Web site.