Court Rules Christian-Owned Pharmacy Must Stock Plan B despite Religious Beliefs
Amanda Casanova | Religion Today Contributing Writer | Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Court Rules Christian-Owned Pharmacy Must Stock Plan B despite Religious Beliefs

A Washington state pharmacy must stock the morning after pill despite the owner’s claim that the pill is against his religious beliefs. A federal appeals court ruled last week that Ralph’s Thriftway must stock Plan B despite his religious beliefs.

 “The rules are rationally related to Washington’s legitimate interest in ensuring that its citizens have safe and timely access to their lawful and lawfully prescribed medications,” Judge Susan Graber said in her decision.

 Christian News Network reports the ordeal started when Kevin Stormans, the pharmacy’s owner, received a call in 2006 asking if the pharmacy sold the morning after pill. Stomans said the store did not, and he later began to receive complaints. The Washington Board of Pharmacy then launched an investigation.

In 2007, the state passed regulations that required pharmacies stock the morning after pill. Stormans and two of his pharmacists filed suit against the state regulation, and a federal court ruled in favor of Ralph’s Thriftway.

 The issue was then taken to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that Plan B must be stocked.

 “The state allows pharmacies to refer for all kinds of reasons. In practice, it only bans religiously motivated referrals,” Storman said. “With 33 pharmacies stocking the drug within five miles of our store, it is extremely disappointing that the court and the state demand that we violate our conscience or lose our family business.

“All we are asking is to be able to live out the beliefs that we hold, as Americans have always been able to do, and to be able to refer patients for religious reasons, as the medical and pharmaceutical associations overwhelmingly recommend,” he said.

The case will likely be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

 

Just got back from a great week at Camp Hope directing the theme “Roaring 20’s”. Below is the introduction video for the theme and counselors:

2015.07.05.intro Roaring Twenties from Camp Hope on Vimeo.

 Palmetto Family is proud to promote this event.
Honoring the Emanuel AME Nine and Their Families
Monday, July 6, 2015 9:00 AM

Rotunda of the South Carolina Statehouse (between the Governor and Lt. Governor’s Offices)

When the South Carolina General Assembly convenes on Monday, July 6, a diverse group of Christians will be there to meet them. 

Amazing Grace at the Statehouse! is composed of individual Christians from many denominations who will gather in the Statehouse for the simple purpose of celebrating the grace of Jesus and gospel witness demonstrated by the families of the victims of the Emanuel shooting.

Amazing Grace at the Statehouse! has no political agenda. Those who join effort are strongly encouraged not to discuss political issues. We are simply dedicated to joining together as fellow South Carolinians to serve as a reminder of the purpose and reconciliation found in the love of Jesus that was so wonderfully demonstrated by our brothers and sisters in Charleston. We will bear witness to their faithful testimony.

Amazing Grace at the Statehouse! has no official denominational sponsorship. So far, this ad hoc “effort of the willing” includes members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church in America, the Church of God in Christ, the United Methodist Church, Independent Bible Churches, … and we hope many more to come.

On Monday, our goal will be to distribute 1,000 of the Amazing Grace! lapel stickers pictured above.

Questions?

Bob (Racial Reconciliation lunch group) at (803) 315-1278 or bobj64@aol.com

Hal (IBelieveSC.net) at (803) 319-7750 or hal@graceoutdoor.com

Amazing Grace! Share It!

South Carolina Chamber of CommercePress Release                                                                               MOVING CONFEDERATE FLAG FROM STATE HOUSE GROUNDS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Columbia, S.C. – After the tragic events of June 17 at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, calls began for the removal of the Confederate flag from South Carolina’s State House grounds. Governor Nikki Haley took the lead and a strong stand, urging the General Assembly to act swiftly. The business community supports the governor’s call for action.

“We join Governor Nikki Haley in calling for the state legislature to act in an expeditious manner. The business community of South Carolina expects the General Assembly to deal with this issue,” said Ted Pitts, president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber. “The South Carolina Chamber mourns for those affected by the tragedy in Charleston, and we commend South Carolinians for responding with grace and unity. South Carolina is a great place to live, work and do business. This effort will only make it better.”

In 2000, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce led the effort in support of removing the Confederate flag from the State House dome. The business community got involved then for the same reason the Chamber supports the call for action today. Simply, it is the right thing to do for our state and its people. It’s also the right thing to do for business.

Removing the Confederate flag from the State House grounds is good for business for several reasons:

It supports investment and job creation opportunities.

It expands market opportunities for South Carolina goods and services.

It helps attract a diverse and talented workforce.

It enhances tourism opportunities.

It moves all of South Carolina businesses forward.

As we move onward as a state in the wake of this senseless tragedy, the business community urges the General Assembly to address the issue of moving the Confederate flag from the State House grounds to a more appropriate location when they return to Columbia July 6.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber, is South Carolina’s largest statewide broad-based business and industry trade association. As the unified voice for business and industry, the Chamber is a catalyst for increasing wealth and enhancing the state’s global competitiveness in order to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.