| ‘Health of the mother clause’ has some uneasy about Executive Order No. 13535 Posted: 07 Apr 2010 04:08 PM PDT
In March, President Obama signed Executive Order No. 13535 to prevent federal funding of abortions in the new health care bill (properly titled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).  U.S. President Barack Obama signs an executive order as Vice President Joe Biden looks on. The executive order replaces acceptance of the Stupak Amendment, which was keeping some members of Congress from signing the health care legislation. According to the text of this executive order, the newly passed health care legislation is supposed to protect the previously existing conscience clause against abortion and prohibits discrimination against health care facilities or providers who are unwilling to participate in funding or providing abortions. Exceptions allowing federal abortion funding will be rape, incest and “health of the mother.” Though questioning executive orders is nothing new (Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and many presidents before them had their executive orders challenged), for some, the “health of the mother” clause of this executive order is problematic. “Health of the mother,” according to Doe v. Bolton, the companion case to Roe v. Wade signing legal abortion into law, defines “health of the mother” as any factors decided by the woman and her doctor “that affect physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman’s age.” This definition is still used today and means that some physicians may recommend abortions for some women because the “health of the mother” is at stake. Since 1996, at least 500 physicians and surgeons, including former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, have been writing to newspapers and even testifying before Congress that abortion, especially late term, should never be used as a preferred method to terminate a pregnancy if a mother’s life is in danger. A Wall Street Journal letter by the physician group called PHACT (Physicians’ Ad Hoc Coalition for Truth) stated that instead of protecting the mother, certain methods of abortion “pose a significant and immediate threat to both the pregnant woman’s health and fertility.” The fact that this executive order was over the controversial issue of federal abortion funding has called attention to the entitlement of presidents to sign executive orders as an executive order is a legally binding document giving a certain direction to administration agencies within the government. An executive order can: (1) Direct an agency in carrying out their legislative mission, or (2) interpret a declaration of policy for the public. Each U.S. President has the “executive privilege” to initiate new executive orders, or sign executive orders overturning or amending those of a previous president. Since the early 1900’s, records of Executive Orders have been kept. Today, the National Archives has online records, listing the executive orders by each President since the recording began. The term “executive order” traces its origin back to President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, although presidents have been signing them as “directives” since 1789.  |
| Posted: 07 Apr 2010 03:23 PM PDT
Being Different Because We Are ‘in Christ’ is Seldom Easy We are in Luke Chapter 22, and this week from verse 31. Jesus Christ is spending His last night on earth with His chosen men. That is significant. Final words are always highly significant. They have been remembering the Passover, and Jesus has given new meaning and significance to the bread and the wine. Then there arises that dispute. They squabble as they become so interested in what their place and position might be in the coming Kingdom, and Jesus has to tell them not to be like the world. Verse 26. Don't be like everybody else. Be different. That has its cost too. Being different is not easy, and being known for being different has its own difficulties, but this is part of our calling in Christ, and this is something we must face up to and confront.
Those who are not ‘in Christ’ may hate and detest us because of this, and others may wish they had the faith and assurance and peace which only Jesus Christ can give. Jesus is teaching those men that they are to serve. Now, that is a word that has almost gone out of use. Serve, service and serving others – you do not see a lot of this in today’s world, and perhaps that is why Jesus had to take the time to teach its importance. Serving has never been popular! Then Jesus indicates that these disciples are going to be sifted – put through a sieve – put through the mill – to be refined. That will remove the lumps, and knock off the rough edges. The shewbread in the Tabernacle had to be made with refined flour. Jesus looks at Simon Peter and spells it out clearly. “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” Jesus is very specific. Peter was going to have a wild 24 hours, and be in turmoil over these next three days, but Jesus had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. Peter is to be sifted and tested and put in the most awkward situations, and have it all written down for all to see. The wheat was being separated from the chaff, in the life of the man who was to arise and lead that young Church during the first few years of its dynamic exciting life. In a sense it is not what you are that counts. It is what God can make of you. It is what God can do with you and in you, before He can work through you. Originally here: Author bio: |
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