{"id":566,"date":"2009-08-19T17:11:44","date_gmt":"2009-08-19T17:11:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/progressiverevival\/2009\/08\/three-responses-to-a-conservat.html"},"modified":"2009-08-19T17:11:44","modified_gmt":"2009-08-19T17:11:44","slug":"three-responses-to-a-conservat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/progressiverevival\/2009\/08\/three-responses-to-a-conservat.html","title":{"rendered":"Three Responses to a Conservative Critic on Health Care Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"

cross posted on Sojourners<\/a> and Brian Mclaren.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Just recieved this: <\/p>\n

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I am one of the conservative Christians you refer to in your letter. I did not and still do not support President Obama although I do know that there is reform needed in health care. It just does not need to be run by the Federal government. The reason I do not support the President is his pro abortion views. The Senate bill will mandate government payment for abortion. How an Evangelical Christian or any Christian support a president or a bill calling for the taking of the life on the innocent in the womb is beyond my understanding. Or vote for a candidate that is pro abortion as President Obama has made clear he is. I strongly support the church doing its part in caring for the health needs of the poor. My church[First Baptist] in West Palm Beach, FL has a state of the art medical clinic for the poor along with a ministry to help the homeless and poor with basic needs. If liberal Christians as yourself would spend their time mobilizing the church to do what it is called to do and give generously and encourage others to there would be no need for health care reform for the needy. I would like your response relative to the life issue. I would have posted this on your blog but saw no way to do it. I pray God will change your heart. I find it very interesting that the life issue is ignored in your open letter.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Thanks for your note. I certainly respect your position. I hope we can model a civil conversation on this – as you know, there is a lot of scary miscommunication going on this summer!<\/p>\n

Let me respond on three points. You said:<\/p>\n

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I do know that there is reform needed in health care. It just does not need to be run by the Federal government.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

First, we agree that reform is needed. Just in the last couple days, I’ve met several people who are falling through the cracks in our present system. We may simply disagree on the role of the government in this regard, but here are a few of my reasons for believing the government should be involved.<\/p>\n