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All Americans must be free to make choices concerning their own health in keeping with their personal beliefs.

Opponents of reproductive freedom often seek legislation based on their own religious doctrines. Creating laws that are grounded in religious belief, however, conflicts with the separation of church and state and compromises our religious liberty. We must be allowed to live our lives according to our own beliefs.

At the center of the reproductive health debate are important questions about individual conscience. Decisions about family planning and emergency contraceptives should be resolved privately, based on our personal beliefs. Individuals may look to their own faith or other ethical considerations as they make these choices, but the government must never mandate that all Americans must follow the tenets of one religious viewpoint. Religious liberty is a basic right guaranteed to all Americans. We must not deny women this basic freedom.

 

Offering a variety of choices around reproductive health offers each of us the opportunity to make the best decisions about our options.

 

From Americans United for Separation of Church and State: 

 

The Religious Rights Campaign to Interfere in your healthcare decisions 

AU - FAQ 

 

Family Research Council Opposes Vaccine That Could Stop Spread Of HPV 

A spokeswoman for the Family Research Council (FRC) says young women should have to deal with the consequences of a rapidly spreading sexually transmitted disease rather then rely on a new vaccine.

 

Faith-Based Pharmacies?: Religious Right Backs Prescription Exemptions 

Church & State – May 2005 

Fundamentalist Christian pharmacists across the country are increasingly refusing to fill certain prescriptions, arguing they have a religious freedom right to avoid dispensing any medications that they believe fosters immorality.

 

No Mixing Religion And Politics, Please, We're British 

AU Blog – April 6, 2005 

In a discussion over the role of religion in British politics, both religious and political leaders seem to agree: they don't want to be like America.

 

Bad Medicine: Prescription For Theocracy? 

AU Blog – March 30, 2005 

Who should decide what religious doctrines you obey? You or your pharmacist. In a move that troubles many civil liberties advocates, some pharmacists across the nation are refusing to fill certain prescriptions, claiming a First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion.

 

Power Play: Resurgent Religious Right Ready To Push Theocratic Agenda In Upcoming Congress 

Church & State – January 2005 

The day after the Nov. 2 election, Bob Jones III, president of Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., felt moved to write to President George W. Bush.

 

Supreme Court Refuses Catholic Charities Case 

Church & State – November 2004 

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a California court ruling that upheld a state law requiring religiously affiliated employers who provide prescription drug coverage to include birth control for women.

 

Critical Mass: Colorado Bishop's Partisan Pastoral Sparks IRS Complaint, As The Catholic Hierarchy's Presumptuous Politicking Polarizes A Restive Flock 

Church & State – July/August 2004 

"There must be no confusion in these matters," wrote Sheridan, in a May 1 pastoral letter. "Any Catholic politicians who advocate for abortion, for illicit stem cell research or for any form of euthanasia ipso facto place themselves outside full communion with the Church and so jeopardize their salvation. Any Catholics who vote for candidates who stand for abortion, illicit stem cell research or euthanasia suffer the same fateful consequences.

 

AU Joins 'March for Women's Lives' - Sunday, April 25 

AU Blog - April 20, 2004 

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is one of more than 1,000 organizations co-sponsoring the March for Women's Lives in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, April 25.

 

Vatican Tells Catholic Politicians To Uphold Church Teaching 

Church & State – February 2003 

The Vatican has told Roman Catholic politicians that they have "the right and the duty" to uphold church teachings on bioethics, reproductive choice, the family and other issues governed by moral law.

 

"McCain Wants Roe V. Wade Overturned"
Associated Press - February 19, 2007

"Public gets first chance to testify on HPV mandate"
Houston Chronicle - February 18, 2007

"Beyond Abstinence-Only"
Center for American Progress - February 15, 2007

"Tenn. bill proposes death certificates for fetuses"
AP - February 14, 2007

"Gov. Perry Establishes HPV Vaccination Program for Young Women"
Office of the Governor, Texas - February 2, 2007

"The Abstinence Shtick, Minus Jesus - Assembly Attended by 1,000 Students Watched Warily by ACLU"
The Washington Post - October 13, 2006

"Legislating Violations of the Constitution"
The Washington Post - September 30, 2006

"The Morning After"
The Baltimore Sun - August 28, 2006

"S. Dakota Becomes Abortion Focal Point: Voters to decide fate of state ban"
The Washington Post - August 28, 2006

"New York Women See Two Sides of Prescription-Free Morning-After Pill"
The New York Times - August 26, 2006

"F.D.A. Approves Broader Access to Next-Day Pill"
The New York Times - August 25, 2006

"F.D.A. Gains Accord on Wider Sales of Next-Day Pill"
The New York Times - August 9, 2006

"Interstate Abortion Bill Clears Senate: Minors Would Need Parents' Permission"
The Washington Post - July 26, 2006

"High Court Will Revisit 'Partial-Birth' Abortion"
The Omaha World-Herald - February 22, 2006

The organizations featured below are encouraging their members and supporters to sign the First Freedom First petition to safeguard separation of church and state and protect religious liberty. Click their logo to learn more.

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