I have been noticing in the papers and on the news in the discussions of Healthcare reform that there seems to be a cost benefit analysis mostly involving politicians, economists, ideologically driven pundits. Insurance lobbyists have also been featured prominently either on talk shows or through advertising. What is striking about this is the complete absence and denial of the fact that the conversation about healthcare is an ethical argument that our society must face. Are we going to have to face it without the input of any theological perspective? How is it that the President is left to explain not just how but also why we need healthcare reform? Have the churches in the wake of the Bush Presidency abandoned ethical and moral leadership to the executive? Is it possible for Protestants, Jews and Catholics to support reform in the post modern era?
The limited scope of the debate in what is probably one of the most comprehensive ethical explorations of the nature of our society has been completely abandoned by our religious leaders. If there is anything more indicative of the complete political domination, lack of moral leadership and marginalization of our religious institutions in modern American life than the complete uninvolvement of any major religious leader in this debate. I have not seen any churches organized either in support based on religious teaching nor have I seen any theological argument against universal healthcare. Why should this be so?
Where does the Catholic Church stand in this debate? What does the Southern Baptist Leadership think of the ideas for universal healthcare? Do the Mormon elders support universal healthcare? Is there a reason why a Buddhist would not support universal healthcare? How much of society is it acceptable just to leave out of any healthcare system? On what basis is that decision to be made? Most importantly why are they not leading their respective flocks?
Nietzsche, in his parable of the death of God, described churches as sepulchers for God. I feel that he was saying that god no longer motivated the religious to live and create their parts in the drama of society. This inability to move on the stage of life in a powerful way at a time where misinformation and money seem to be guiding this important discussion about the values and ethics is disheartening. Perhaps it is time to ask them? Essentially we have become a country of listeners and sycophants. Does Obama, an avowed christian have to grapple with these questions with no input essentially acting as just another part of the infotainment industry? Is Rush Limbaugh's disinformation unchallengeable? God apparently moved Billy Graham to call for the death of Chavez in Venezuela, he moved the parish of the kidnapped captain to pray for him, he felt that Terri Shiavo should not be removed from care yet I am supposed to believe that God has no opinion on whether children and the sick and poor deserve healthcare?
So I have some questions and thoughts that I would like to fire away. If anyone could find an answer to these questions or simply ask their pastor, priest or rabbi why they are silent on this issue when now is the time that it is being decided I would appreciate it.
For Priests and pastors in the Christian denominations.
Did Jesus ask for money when he healed the sick? Did he ask if the lepers were gainfully employed? If he stormed into the temple and chased out the money lenders how do you think he would feel about profit based healthcare? If a Christian can believe in miracles why is the idea that we “can’t “have universal healthcare accepted as orthodoxy. Why isn’t their faith insisting on participation in this discussion?
It seems to me that the preexisting condition that we all have is that we are human beings and we will get sick, we will die, and the struggle of the believer and non believer is to find the right way to live and to endeavor to create a just society. What we are lacking is moral leadership on this crucial issue and we need it soon
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Whether religious leaders comment on this or not, is not the point. Some churches have already taken care of their own on this subject (Church Mutual, the NCGIA...etc) and it seems to be working. Would you listen to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's opinion on the subject, or brush it off as religious blather? What about David Miscavige's ideas?
ReplyDeleteGiven our country's separation of church and state, the church can move on this issue with the swiftness of the private sector.
The real question here is about our "right" to live healthy lives. There are no such thing as "rights". "Rights" are words and ideas that our country's for-fathers came up with to ensure that the generations to come would be treated fair and equal. How has that worked out so far?
What we do have are "privileges" which are bought and sold. The more money one has the more privileges can be afforded. That seems to be the ugly truth. As long as our government is run by the rich and privileged, the rule will remain.
The moral leadership of religious groups is happening, you just may not be tuned in to it. The church would love for all to be healthy and happy, as I'm sure you and I would love for all to be healthy and happy. Congregations participate by helping those less fortunate through donations, mission work, raising awareness and prayer. They do so without the government's help.