When Sin Trumps Conscience

Rhode Island is one of seven states that would prefer that citizens with moral reservations about procreation-related procedures and drugs have fewer rights:

Seven states sued the federal government Thursday over a new rule that expands protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other medical procedures because of religious or moral objections.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal filed the lawsuit in federal court in Hartford on behalf of the states.

They claim the federal rule, issued by the Bush administration last month and set to take effect Tuesday, would trump state laws protecting women's access to birth control, reproductive health services and emergency contraception.

Blumenthal said the regulations "are flawed and defective" and would "unconstitutionally and unconscionably interfere with women's health care rights."

Note that the rule does not ban any procedures. It merely gives the individual provider the right to choose what he or she provides.

The end of rights and freedom will come proclaiming the sanctity of both.