Religion & Law

I see no way to avoid the conclusion that the latest version -- and the one that appears likely to pass -- of healthcare-funding legislation in the Senate moves the ball dramatically in the wrong direction when it comes to protecting unborn children in law and even when it comes to the (different) goal of reducing the number of abortions.  (Indeed, I am surprised that Sen. Nelson agreed to it, given what had appeared to be his Stupak-esque views on the importance of not allowing healthcare-funding changes to become a vehicle for subsidizing abortions.)  We should put aside, I think, nice questions about burdens on taxpayers' consciences, or culpable complicity with evil; as I see it, the Senate's proposal will certainly increase "access" to abortion and so increase the number of abortions.  I hope it does not succeed.