Texas Governor Says Attending Church Is ‘Essential’ But Abortions Can Wait Indefinitely

[laylalex 7,300]

Quote

In short: Texas women cannot get abortions, a medical procedure deemed essential by physicians that involves contact with only 2-3 other people, but they can go to church, a setting which has already been linked to multiple “super-spreading” COVID-19 events. 

Both the free exercise of religion and a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy are constitutionally guaranteed rights. The Texas governor, however, appears willing to accommodate only some rights—at considerable risk to public health—while not accommodating others involving far less risk. Further, since women seeking abortions must travel out of state, the ban encourages greater risk-taking travel in the midst of a pandemic, and women who attempt unsafe abortions on their own may end up in the hospital anyway, experts say.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2020/04/01/texas-governor-says-attending-church-is-essential-but-abortions-can-wait-indefinitely/#22c148f58ab3

Edited April 6, 2020 by laylalex
Edit: tidying up pasted quote

[Orangesapples 1,954]

Ridiculous. But that's what religion does to you. 

[Rosalind F 178]

This is so ridiculous. People can pray at home. People cannot get abortions at home. 

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

29 minutes ago, Orangesapples said:

Ridiculous. But that's what religion does to you. 

I agree it’s the situation that’s ridiculous, however blaming it on religion is a little far fetched.

 

It is a persons opinion that church during an epidemic is ok, not the religion.

 

If you are not religious, more power to you. Personally I get solace from my faith, I do not expect you to believe as I do, but allow me to believe what I choose without scorn from you.

[Dashinka 25,240]

I wonder how many churches are even open in Texas?  I know I would not choose to attend any church services at this time,  it the OP premise is a little like comparing apples to oranges.  Aren’t most hospitals, clinics and Dr. offices limiting elective non-emergency procedures?

[yuna628 9,785]

57 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

I wonder how many churches are even open in Texas?  I know I would not choose to attend any church services at this time,  it the OP premise is a little like comparing apples to oranges.  Aren’t most hospitals, clinics and Dr. offices limiting elective non-emergency procedures?

I'm sure there's quite a few. Mostly the megachurches where it's all about the money. There's tons open in Florida and the south. There's some open in MD, even though our governor's orders are extremely strict, and pastors risk jail time. There's no reason why these pastors can't get creative and there's plenty of options. Even our tiny rural churches have found ways to have services. 

 

And it is true pretty much everyone across the board, have somewhat annoyingly cancelled visits and procedures, but in order for a woman, girl, or child to have an abortion legally there is only so long of a timeframe to do this. To a degree I feel doctors have gone overboard with cancelling appointments instead of just taking proper protocol measures, and it's causing real difficulty for people that are not sick with COVID needing help being seen for a variety of things.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,396]

To be fair its not just church goers that are being stupid.

I dont really care if religious zealots kill themselves be it not taking blood transfusions or handling venomous snakes, but when they endanger others I take pause 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

What's crazy to me is that people can assemble in a church, but I cannot go to the beach.  Makes zero sense to me.

[Orangesapples 1,954]

2 hours ago, Rosalind F said:

This is so ridiculous. People can pray at home. People cannot get abortions at home. 

Technically, you can have an abortion at home but the pills are prescription only so you'll have to be seen by a doctor in order to get them. 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

2 hours ago, Randyandyuni said:

I agree it’s the situation that’s ridiculous, however blaming it on religion is a little far fetched.

 

It is a persons opinion that church during an epidemic is ok, not the religion.

 

If you are not religious, more power to you. Personally I get solace from my faith, I do not expect you to believe as I do, but allow me to believe what I choose without scorn from you.

Yes, many religious people are reasonable. 

[Ban Hammer 13,913]

27 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

What's crazy to me is that people can assemble in a church, but I cannot go to the beach.  Makes zero sense to me.

welcome to the church of sand and sun.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

6 minutes ago, Ban Hammer said:

welcome to the church of sand and sun.

The right to peacefully assemble, even if it's a church of only two?

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

17 minutes ago, Orangesapples said:

Yes, many religious people are reasonable. 

Yes, And many non religious people are not

[Rosalind F 178]

23 minutes ago, Orangesapples said:

Technically, you can have an abortion at home but the pills are prescription only so you'll have to be seen by a doctor in order to get them. 

Oh yeah, I meant surgical abortion. Probably still technically possible to get at home... 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

3 minutes ago, Rosalind F said:

Oh yeah, I meant surgical abortion. Probably still technically possible to get at home... 

Pretty sure that's not safe.