It would seem that by and large, the majority of my generation who I meet in the States tend to be resting upon the fence of indifference when it comes to religion. On the plus side, there are so few believers remaining, and after the passing of the elderly, the US will be far less religious. On the other hand, there are daily encroachments on free society by religion, and when I open the paper, I see another reason to stand up and shout!
When in discussion, I get the opinion that most understand that the time will come, but at the moment, no need for an uprising. It truly baffles me how so many people can come to the conclusion that religion is untrue, and even harmful for society and yet sit back and not see the urgency to speak out about it.
In today's newspaper, the cover story is called "Battle of the Uterus", "A bunch of men decide the fate of women's reproductive rights."
The bill outlines unprecedented anti-choice legislation which prohibit abortion. People across the state are outrages, democrats and republicans alike. If not vetoed by the governor, these bills would:
1) Outlaw abortion for severe genetic abnormalities
2) Make abortion illegal after a detectable heartbeat
3) Declaring human life starts at conception
4) Deny exceptions to victims or rape, sexual abuse, or women who are under severe risk to their health
5) Forces doctors to break confidentiality agreements and punished doctors who do not comply
6) Now includes an amendment to stop sexual education funding to schools
Now I would love to believe the legislators were not religiously motivated, but there is no way around it. What does sexual education, an integral part of understanding and making informed decisions, have to do with abortion?? Certainly removing sexual education will increase the need for abortions and underage pregnancies. If you want to limit abortions, and I would say that is also my aim, education is the starting point. No one wants abortion, and regardless of your beliefs, it is a delicate debate. Apparently this debate is one ND legislators feel is not worth having.
One idea I have heard is the oil-rich state is purposely taking this challenge on because they can afford the forthcoming lawsuits until it gets to the supreme court. Either way, religion has stepped on secular toes once again, and if this is not the time for our generation to voice itself, I do not know when that may be.
If you are in the Fargo/Moorhead area, please join the people on Monday, March 25th at 5:30 pm at the Fargo Civic center for the Stand Up For Women Rally, and wear white.
I hope to see you there!
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