The American Spectator

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Another Perspective

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The real "cultural conquest" comes from those who believe that there is no moral code by which anyone is bound. Or, more accurately, who believe that everyone should be bound by their code of moral relativism.

Still, even a finely tuned conscience will not lead everyone to come out the same on controversial issues. Many moral judgments are judgments.

Issues like sterilization and birth control will divide even Christians. Acts that primarily affect the individual (sex by an unmarried) and another person (abortion) have different moral consequences. Some roles are indirect, diminishing any moral culpability, such as driving someone to an abortion clinic rather than performing an abortion, for instance.

Other than a unique circumstance where one's refusal might risk a life -- perhaps a Jehovah's Witness physician unwilling to perform a blood transfusion -- there is no reason to force people to act contrary to their conscience. If state licensing is valid, it is to promote quality, not suppress morality.

Yet, the moral-minded have no right to trump their employers. Professionals have been seeking statutory protection for their right to refuse to perform and have been suing companies when dismissed for refusing to perform.

But a firm should be free to demand that those it hires to provide certain services actually provide them. A good employer is likely to try to accommodate conscience-stricken employees.

There is no reason, however, to assume that doing the right thing will always be costless. Indeed, one reason we laud people who make tough moral decisions is that they are willing to pay the price for doing so.

The public square has become a brutal battleground over conflicting moral visions. The worst thing to do is to politicize issues that could be left private.

Over some issues there is no compromise -- ultimately, our society must decide the legal status of the unborn, for instance. But many other questions, such as who prescribes Viagra and who fills the prescription, should be left to people to sort out voluntarily. The result might be messier, but we will be freer and our society will be healthier as a result.

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Health Care, Abortion, Military