WASHINGTON, D.C. – The ultimate control over America’s health care and its national sovereignty will be put up for a vote next week at a meeting of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) governing legislative body, the World Health Assembly (WHA). On May 22-28, 2022, the 75th World Health Assembly will convene at the United Nations […]
CA Bill legalizing encouraging terminally ill to commit physician-assisted suicide passes Assembly
A bill making its way through the California legislature would make it legal to encourage the terminally ill to engage in physician-assisted suicide.
Moot: Federal judge dismisses ACLU suit to force Catholic hospitals to provide abortion services
Federal court rules ACLU lacks standing to sue Catholic hospitals that refuse to provide abortion and contraceptive services
Message of Christ offers hope amidst month’s violence and persecution
March 2016 has been punctuated by violence. On March 4, a group of terrorists attacked a convent and nursing home run by the Missionaries of Charity, also known as Mother Teresa’s Home, in Yemen. Sixteen people, including eight residents, four nuns, and several other volunteers were killed.
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in key contraception mandate case
This morning the eight-member United States Supreme Court heard the contraceptive mandate cases that were consolidated under the name Zubik v. Burwell (Docket Number 15-191). (See transcript.) They key issue in all the cases was religious employers who rejected the method of receiving the “religious employer exemption” to the Affordable Care Act (2010) which required group health plans and insurance issues to offer plans that provided “approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity.”
California to Implement Assisted Suicide on June 9
On June 9, 2016, California’s “End of Life Option Act,” signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown last October, will go into effect. Under the law, patients who are at least 18 years old who have been diagnosed by a treating and a consulting physician with a terminal disease expected to result in death within 6 months may request aid-in-dying drugs. Verbal requests must be made 15 days apart and one must be signed, dated, and witnessed by two adults. A mental health assessment is not required unless the physician feels that there may be a mental disorder.
Oregon Bakers’ $135,000 Fine Held in Escrow Pending Appeal
On Monday, Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of the Sweet Cakes by Melissa bakery paid a $135,000 fine levied against them by the state of Oregon for refusing on religious grounds to provide a cake for a same-sex commitment ceremony two years ago.
Adventist Church Releases World Religious Liberty Report
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has released a 408-page report outlining international religious liberty demographics and issues.
Mel Gibson’s new film to shine spotlight on Adventist history of conscientious objection
Mel Gibson’s $55,000,000 film will have Adventists re-exploring this part of their history and considering the future of conscientious objection.
Why California’s New “Death with Dignity” Law Will Make Suicide Common and Expected
On October 5, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that will permit terminally ill patients to obtain medications that will enable them to end their own lives. The legislation had been opposed by disability rights groups that were concerned that people would choose to end their lives because of financial worries or depression.