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How should a Christian respond to recent developments in the healthcare debate in the US? That’s the question on my mind as I write this editorial. As a citizen of the US, I have a duty to express my opinion and to vote my conscience. As a citizen of the US, I will hold my representatives to a high ethical standard and will require an accounting of their activities while representing me in Washington D.C. As a citizen of the US, I have a duty to speak out against government encroachment into our lives. As a citizen of the US, I firmly believe I should speak out against government run healthcare because of the possible future impact it may have on our freedom. But what should I think about government run healthcare as a Christian? As a Christian, I am to look after the poor, the sick, and the down-trodden. Isn’t that what government run healthcare is all about? If so, shouldn’t I support it? As a Christian, I could probably get behind healthcare reform (with the right conditions and controls) if the goal of the healthcare reform was to cover those who cannot afford proper healthcare. But the current healthcare reform proposals being debated are to control healthcare for everyone, not just those who cannot afford healthcare. This is because the current proposals, if enacted, would eventually lead to private healthcare providers being run out of business and every American would end up on the government plan. In fact, despite protests from government officials, this is the ultimate goal of a government healthcare option. [1] But why is this the goal? Why not just have the government purchase catastrophic coverage for the needy or perhaps push healthcare reforms that would cut costs and allow the needy to get affordable healthcare through free market competition? I think this is the goal because it is all about government control and power. As a Christian, I cannot support government run healthcare because it gives too much control to the government. Some might say the government will not abuse the extra control and power that result in handing over healthcare decisions to them. I think it would be foolish to put such trust in the government when it comes to healthcare, given the track record of other government run entities. And history is against government run healthcare. The track record of government run healthcare in other countries is abysmal. Since when are Christians concerned about government control over their lives? Isn’t God ultimately in control? Yes, God is in control but he often won’t force us to choose the right path. That’s what free choice is all about. We can choose to give control of our lives over to government to our own peril. As a Christian, I am very concerned about abortion. With the government paying for everyone’s healthcare, abortion will be available on demand, for free, for anyone, anywhere, at any time. There will be no cost factor in the equation that might discourage this terrible crime against humanity. As a Christian, I am concerned about giving away my parental rights and responsibilities. With the government run healthcare, my child is at the mercy of what a bureaucrat might think is necessary or not necessary when it comes to treatment. The current House healthcare proposal outlines home visits by bureaucrats to those with young children. What would they be looking for? Would a cross or Bible in the home some day be enough excuse for a bureaucrat to take children away from their parents for a “reeducation”? As a Christian, I am concerned about rationing healthcare for the aged and truly infirmed. People should not be left to die because or their age or medial history. As a Christian, I am concerned about giving my freedoms away to anyone who might get in between me and my family or my freedom of worship. In conclusion, as a Christian, I cannot support the type of healthcare “reform” currently being debated in Washington D.C.
-ed
Notes: I want to learn more about how I can have a relationship with the creator of the universe. [ Return to Top ]
Past Editor's Comments
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This is AMAZING... - Carlos Wonderful work! It's nice to find some place where the Christian view is heard and intelligently explained! - Ettevya Welcome to Christianity in the 21st. Century. It's great. - ncc1707e One of the best homepages I've seen on the Internet - Matthew Just a quick note of encouragement: your website is truly blessed. I've been a Born-Again Christian for 15 years, and it still gave me "goosebumps" and tears in my eyes to read what you offer on your Homepage. I know that, with the Lord's help, you will reach many... - anonymous
I'd like to thank you for the content of the WWCW. Of the pages I've visited, this is the most thought provoking. I read some of the letters and they are generally thought out and coherent. Certainly a nice change from the "fly-off-the-handle" stereotypical view of the fundamental Christian viewpoint. Thanks. Also. Those surfers who've sent comments about the Stewardship Section - Thanks. I'd like to make the next article entirely about financial questions and answers so fire up your keyboards and zap me a line. Also, short stories about how you've beaten a hard time with the Lord's deliverance in a stewardship area would be great. Topics: Tithing, Debt, Work Situations, Time Management, etc. Here's the carrot: randomly awarded prizes for the questions submitted. Keep the WWCW in your prayers. Mark There is so much wrong today. So much hurt. The last dying gasps of this once great nation is evident on the faces of the people.You can feel it in the media, watch it in the schools. This page may be just a small flicker of light in a very dark world, but that may be all that we will have to guide us. A still, small voice.I'm listening... - Keith Don't be too discouraged. Christians have had it a lot worse in the past, and will in the future. Remember those brothers and sisters in Christ who were tortured or fed to wild beasts. Remember those dying for Christ everyday, in other parts of the world. We've got it good! And even if we didn't, we already know how this one's going to turn out. - ed Hi, Congratulations on a well presented resource. I especially liked your book reviews regarding books on Christianity and Science. It is especially encouraging that you have included some of Hugh Ross' books, and have presented them in such a positive way. It is always good to see Christians using positive evidence from mainstream science as evidence for the God of the Bible. Thanks - anonymous Keep reminding us of the darkness we seemed to be getting used to as a nation. Vance Havner once said that we can sit in darkness long enough that we that we will imagine we see light. The only way to gid rid of the darkness is to turn on the Light. That light is our savior Jesus. Keep up the good work by exposing sin in this nation by lifting up the rocks that hide it. - Bill I am really impressed with your page!!! It is nice to see the Christians finally getting the upper hand and staying on top of technology! Keep up the great work, I'll be visiting often. - Ken Christains, without looking at what we as Christains condone in other Christains. For example, many Christains cannot understand why I am concerned about what Christain music artists do, saying they are trying to get their massage out to non-Christains. I am also tired of going to church and having to defend myself, when I don't let my family watch TV shows and movies that are violent and/or have strong sexual content. I heard an advertisement today on my local Christian radio station for a soap opera that was going to have a special episode in the evening. The advertisement said that it was going to be the hottest episode (most likely sexual content)that we have seen. I think that we need to worry about Christians cleaning up their on own act, before we expect non-Christians to do the same. How can be creditable witnesses when we don't do our best, with the help of the Lord, to live holy lives? - anonymous Christians on the Internet Hello, I find it very encouraging to see fellow christians building sites on the internet. You guys really have a good thing going here, and what a great way to spread the word of god! - Jonathan It's so important that we be the salt and light Jesus commanded us to be. Even here we can be the representatives of Jesus Christ that the world NEEDS to see. May God bless those who enter here, and may he use us all as tools for His glory. We may be just a little match in a world full of darkness, but even the smallest match pierces the blackness with light! - Christine First, I would like to say that this is the best that I've found here on the net. It is very reassuring to me that there are Christians here on the net... - Derek But... you came to us! You could come to your senses. BTW, I didn4t leave my email address because I don4t wish to recieve any superstitious rambling from you. Hope all of you come to your senses one day. I don4t care if you people believe in invisible unicorns on mars, just leave the rest of us alone and please don4t try to make legislation follow your beliefs. Live by your own rules, but don4t force them on others! - anonymous
Did you have a chance to read the scientific evidences
presented by this site in support of Christianity? I'll send them to you if you'd like
(and if you'd leave an e-mail address). Thanks for visiting. - ed
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Editor's Comments
A Christian Perspective on the Healthcare Debate