The Pope Is Right About This Issue

Here's something I never thought I'd say -- I agree with the Pope.   At least on one issue -- the issue of health care.

We recently had a serious debate in this country over health care.   Those of us on the left wanted decent and adequate health care to be considered a right of all citizens in this country.   Those on the right disagreed.   They believe health care should be reserved for those who can afford it.   They consider health care to be a commodity to be bought and sold like automobiles or concert tickets, and if you can't afford it you shouldn't have it.

Those of us on the left lost the argument, at least for the time being.   Although the Democrats passed a health care reform bill, only minor changes were made to the broken and unfair American health care system.   Health care is still not a right and there will still be many Americans left without health insurance of any kind.   In addition, the private insurance companies are still in charge of making patient medical decisions instead of doctors.

But while the insurance companies and others celebrate their recent victory, it looks like the Catholic Church disagrees with the outcome.   The Pope and other Catholic Church leaders held a conference on health care at the Vatican a couple of days ago.   Pope Benedict lamented the inequalities in health care around the world, and said all christians should be concerned about "The care of man, his transcendent dignity and his inalienable rights."

The Pope went on to say that each individual's health is a "precious asset" which governments should protect by "dedicating the equipment, resources and energy so that the greatest number of people can have access."   He also said,   "Justice in health care should be a priority of governments and international institutions."

Cardinal Bertone agreed saying,   "Justice requires guaranteed universal access to health care, commonly accepted as a fundamental human right."   Bertone also said the governments of richer nations (like the United States) should practice "more solidarity with their own disadvantaged citizens."

It shouldn't come as any surprise that the Catholic Church views health care as a basic and fundamental human right.   They are just following the teachings of their "savior".   What is surprising is that far too many "christians" in the United States disagree with that concept.   They seem to have somehow confused the teachings of Jesus with those of capitalist greedmongers (and become more like the temple moneychangers than Jesus).

I may be an atheist now, but I was raised in the christian church and attended two christian colleges (finishing my degree at the second).   I am not unfamiliar with christian teachings.   That's why I find it shocking that teachings such as being your "brother's keeper" are now considered "socialist" and unchristian.  

This atheist wonders how any christian could not consider health care to be a fundamental right of all men (and the same goes for all atheists, muslims, jews, or followers of any other religion).