Letters to the Editor
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This seems to be a refrain.
"Conservative religious groups," or even just "religious groups" opposing something that would not only be helpful to society but might save lives. If it isn't homosexuality it's abortion, if it isn't abortion it's birth control; ignoring the science and embracing a fairy tale may be of great comfort to them personally, but it is poison for the society at large. Would I like to imagine that my sister is still a virgin and is saving herself for the right guy? Absolutely. Would I be willing to bet money on it? Not for your life. But would I like my sister to possibly develop cervical cancer because she was denied a vaccine due to religious reasons, or be forced to abort a rape baby because a religious pharmacist refused to fill a valid prescription? Would you?
I am loathe to generalize about an group as that is my definition of racism; I recognize that there are good people within all groups, as there are bad. However--and this is a big however--in the United States, religion (specifically Christianity, but take your pick) has become little more than a fig leaf to cover blatant ignorance, inbred tribalism and hate. There is literally no justification for the discrimination of gays outside of religion; the science of the matter shows that evolution is as much a fact as gravity; people have sex, even teenagers; and opposition to abortion has no basis in Bible or science, with the uncomfortable fact of abortion's prevalence during Biblical times neatly ignored.
We do not let ghost whisperers, psychics or UFO-ologists run rampant in the public square without a pushback from reasonable and rational people. The same must be done for religion; it is a destructive and malign influence in our discourse and our nation. Children's fairy tales have no place in guiding the ship of state, nor do their proponents. Mockery and disdain is the proper response to those who would wish to inject their religion into any issue facing the world today. The problems are legion and they will not be solved with dogma, but with science and reason.
In birth control, as in all things, let the children be sent away and the adults brought to bear. It is the only way this world can survive.
Diddlypop
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Sex ed in the UCC
One thing I hope Obama did learn from his association with Trinity UCC is the value of comprehensive sex ed. The United Church of Christ shares a very broad and informative sex ed curriculum with the Unitarian-Universalists called "Our Whole Lives". If public education was even a tenth as comprehensive, we'd be getting somewhere.
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The Typical Story
Obama doesn't have a position or a record; Hillary does.
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Why not mention
Clinton's support of abstinence-only education through her VOTES rather than statements on her website?
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What about the boys and men?
It continually amazes me that even strident advocates for reproductive health and responsible sex-education frame their stance within the confines of "women's issues." While I realize that women often unequally bare consequences(such as unwanted pregnancy), and should have access to measures that allow a woman to take control of her life and body, men and boys are continually left out of the conversation (in regards to both sex education and sexual health). While the article refers to "young people," it mentions only girls and women specifically, implying with its silence that girls and women are the only beneficiaries of sex education and sexual health policies. While this is probably not the author's intention, the lack of explicit consideration of both genders reinforces the political and social climate that places the majority of the responsibility on women. This is a disservice to us all by excusing men and boys from taking control of their health and the health of their partner, and by keeping men in the dark about consequences that can have profound effects on their lives. Perhaps the spread of sexually transmitted diseases would slow if men were also encouraged by society (including government, insurance companies, and informal friend and family relationships) to go for annual tests as women encourage each other to do.
I am grateful for the writer for bringing the candidate's stances on the issue to the forefront, but wish that advocates could also press candidates (and the reading public) to question our assumption that reproductive health is only female issue (as the clinton campaign frames it).
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Of condoms, Clinton, Obama and McCain
How can any of the candidates support young peoples health when they can't even discuss sex education, contraception and all the other related issues? In a country where commentary on issues that should be no one's business but the parties concerned, evokes massive calls for impeachment, prosecution and apologies it takes a candidate that stands heads above the rest to risk discussion or position on a subject that is essentially taboo.How can a country that approves of entrapment of closet homosexuals be expected to be rational about other issues of human sexuality?
America seems to be one of the few countries that is vigorously attempting to repress one of the strongest drives of its young people. How can religious fundamentalists deny one of their God's preordained human attributes, to engage in sexual activity. To deny sexual activity to 18 or 20 essentially middle age in the reproductive cycle seems to be contrary to God's plan when reproductive capacity starts at 11 or 12. Young people do not think very much about their actions until they are about 25. That is why they are careless enough to fight needless wars and similarly engage in sexual activities that can have serious repercussions.
Given that fundamentalists are willing to risk their souls by defying God's plan how can any candidate risk the wrath of such people by proposing policies that most likely will be contrary to their demands?
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A New Approach is Needed
A new approach to human sexuality is needed. In the book "Sarah Conrad of Eagle Creek" reproduction is shown as a three dimensional aspect of our nature. This is should be the model for how we conduct ourselves instead of continuing the decades long, tragic lie that actions have no consequences other than that which is immediately seen or felt. The things we do today will determine our outcome years later. That axiom is empowering and honest.