In Theory:

The health-care-reform measure passed by the House and signed into law by President Obama this week is being challenged by religious-rights groups who claim that “the law treats religions unequally and forces adherents to be part of a health-care system that violates their religious beliefs on abortion.” One lawsuit has been filed that claims “that forcing individuals to participate in a health-care system that supports abortions violates their 1st Amendment right to freely follow their sincerely held religious beliefs.” Another lawsuit claims an “unconstitutional entanglement between government and religion” because some religious groups are exempt from participation in the new reform effort. What do you think? What serious religious implications exist here, if any, as a result of this new measure? Are there any moral or theological issues in the new measure?

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Oh please. No, I do not think there are serious religious implications for reforming health care, other than the positive implications for greater equity in who can afford to pay for health care — that sounds like something Jesus would do.

There are genuine differences of belief about abortion, and venues in which that debate can be engaged, but this is not that. No one is forcing anyone to violate their beliefs on abortion; allowing freedom for some is not the same as forcing others.

What is it with us these days, that we can no longer bear it when organizations of which we’re a part include people and ideas different from our own? Where did the idea come from — in America! — that our organizations must be an exact duplicate blueprint of our own thoughts and practices, with any deviation being cause for offense and disassociation? (“I simply cannot be a part of any group that tolerates Granny Smith apples as well as Red Delicious?.?.?.?”)

There are some observations from systems theory that apply here — that theory that any human organization acts just like a human being, with certain set patterns of behavior, coping and defense mechanisms. Systems theory says that in times of high anxiety (such as the time we live in) people often resort to a “herding” mentality — trying to jam everyone into a corral of identical beliefs and behaviors.

Tolerance for difference shrinks or disappears, humor is lost, and those who are the lowest common denominator of emotional maturity rise up and rule the day. (Can you say “tea party”?)