‘Religious freedom’ laws go beyond nuptials

Columnist Ross Douthat trivializes objections to the Indiana “religious freedom” law, as well as objections to Christianity’s traditional condemnation of homosexuality, in his “Interview With a Christian” (April 7).

The motivation behind religious freedom laws is not limited to objections to gay marriage — if so, the laws could explicitly limit their scope to that case. At the risk of claiming to know the hearts of others, I’ll venture to say that most people who are uncomfortable serving for a gay wedding are also not eager to rent an apartment to a gay couple.

Mr. Douthat could find himself or his family on the receiving end of such “religious freedom,” given the not-insignificant number of fundamentalist evangelical Christians who believe that the pope is the Antichrist and the Catholic Church is the great whore of Babylon.

As for the idea that the church treats everyone, heterosexual and homosexual alike, as fallen sinners: I suggest Mr. Douthat test his theory by leaving his wife and children and living the rest of his life in celibacy and chastity as the Catholic Church asks homosexuals to do. While he’s at it, he can tell everyone that he’s gay, so that in addition to the loneliness of being single in a couples’ world and the sadness of having no children and grandchildren to brighten his old age, he can also feel the occasional pity, distrust and exclusion that gay people experience from those exercising their “religious freedom.” GREG FUHRMAN

Spring Hill

Belief is personal

Religion is a personal choice. A business that refuses to do business because of the owner’s personal beliefs engages in discrimination.

Refusing to do business with whomever a business chooses is an effort to force the owner’s personal beliefs on others.

Denying insurance coverage to employees because of religious beliefs is an effort to force religion on an employer’s workers.

Personal belief is about you and onlyyou.Ihopeeveryoneboycotts businesses that discriminate. JANICE C. BREHM

Wilmerding

Jobs generator

Washington County’s economy is strong and growing stronger. As record-breaking amounts of clean natural gas continue to be responsibly produced, Western Pennsylvania is transforming from the beltbuckle of the Rust Belt into one of America’s leading 21st-century energy hubs.

And a new Washington & Jefferson College study analyzes shale development’s impact on the county’s economy. Among the study’s findings: The industry’s economic impact has grown from $1.7 billion to $2.4 billion; jobs supported by the shale gas industry now number approximately 10,000; state and local tax revenue increased from $90 million to $160 million; and Pennsylvania’s special natural gas impact taxes — which have directly improved our communities, helping to fund critical projects all while keeping tax increases at bay — generated more than $34 million.

While we have made meaningful economic progress, we have much more to achieve aimed at moving our economy forward over the long term. This is especially true as it relates to harnessing our abundant natural gas resources to revitalize our region’s manufacturing base.

We can choose a brighter future, with more jobs — especially in the manufacturing, small business and labor sectors — as well as more locally directed revenue. Or we can opt for even higher energy taxes, which will stunt this industry’s growth, leading to fewer jobs and less economic activity. JEFF KOTULA

President Washington County Chamber of Commerce

Cecil

Health care a mess

I would like to express my dissatisfaction with the health care system in this country. I recently signed up for a UPMC health plan on the Affordable Care Act website, which went smoothly, but have experienced nothing but nightmares with UPMC all the while paying a monthly premium for a high-deductible plan.

On a recent trip to Florida, I needed health care and was told by a doctor that UPMC would not be honored, as any doctor in Florida would be considered an “out of network” provider. If this is the case, shouldn’t UPMC suspend one’s monthly premium when traveling?

I asked if I could pay cash to see this doctor and was told that they would not honor cash. I then asked, “What if this was a life-threatening condition?” and was told, “I’m sorry, but that’s our policy.”

Upon returning to Pittsburgh, I needed to schedule a procedure and called the facility where I have been going for years using a UPMC plan. I was told that they do not accept my new UPMC health plan. I now have to find another facility that can provide this service.

When will the richest country in the world adopt a single-payer system so we can get quality health care at a reasonable cost no matterwhereandwhenneeded? MARGARET ZAK

Edgewood