Tony Perkins' Washington Update
April 6, 2005

Following Your Conscience

Eighteenth-century scientist and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg called the conscience "God's presence in man." Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) would prefer that pharmacists in his state obey him rather than their conscience. Last Friday, Gov. Blagojevich issued an emergency rule requiring pharmacies to accept and fill prescriptions for contraceptives "without delay" and established a toll-free number for state residents to report refusals. This extraordinary action was taken after a few pharmacists refused to fill prescriptions for the "morning-after pill," the potential abortifacient. Luckily, there are bipartisan bills in the U.S. Senate and House (S.677 and H.R. 1445) that will protect pharmacists who, because of personal beliefs, cannot in good conscience fulfill certain prescriptions, while still allowing the patient to get their requested drugs. Congress should pass this commonsense legislation quickly before more people like Gov. Blagojevich trample on citizens' religious freedom.

Additional Resources
Morning-After Pill: Not Just Another Contraceptive

Tony Perkins' Washington Update
Family Research Council

©Copyright 2005, Tony Perkins' Washington Update, April 6, 2005, Family Research Council.

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