The Swedes also have something else: tolerance and they're famous for it. Sweden loves compromise, consensus, tolerating everything, and agreement. Yes, they tolerate everything and everyone, everyone, that is, except Ellinor Grimmark.
WHAT? SHE HAS A CONVICTION?
Ellinor is a midwife, a midwife who has a conviction: she believes abortion is not an option and refuses to perform one. Because of her conviction that life begins at conception, the women's clinic where she worked (past tense) in southern Sweden refused to extend her contract. The clinic informed her that she “was no longer welcome to work with them.” In the notification, the clinic wondered, “whether a person with [pro-life] views actually can become a midwife.” What? If you won't kill a baby, you can't practice midwifery?
When Ellinor fought back by taking her case to the county court, a firestorm descended.
The Swedish Association of Health Professionals offered no support. If she was looking for help, it would be hard to find it in tolerant Sweden.
It got worse:
"Mona Sahlin, the national coordinator against violent extremism,
proclaimed in February at a conference on religion and democracy that
the 'one who refuses to participate in abortions is an extreme religious
practitioner,' one who is simply 'on a different level from the Islamic
State' — that is, a pro-life medical practitioner is like ISIS, just
not as extreme." (Jacob Rudolfsson)
WAIT. WHAT? HELP AT LAST
WAIT. WHAT? HELP AT LAST
But there was one group that offered to assist her and that organization was a hospital. "Great," you say. "Finally the little Davids of the world can get help from some source." But, wait. You'd be wrong. Their offer of "assistance" was the offer of a counselor to help her overcome her aversion to abortion. What the hospital was offering was psychological treatment and reeducation so Ellinor would fit into the Swedish consensus. In other words, "Believe like we believe, or else."
Most European countries, including Norway and
Denmark, allow for conscientious objection, which would allow Grimmark to practice midwifery, but Sweden does not recognize the conscientious objector. One must conform. So much for tolerance. As it stands now, it's up to the courts to decide: will the law recognize the conscientious objector?
HOW FAR?
HOW FAR?
But if one Christian belief (pro-life) needs "psychological treatment," and "reeducation,"what other doctrines will be deemed to need such treatment as declared by the medical profession, the media, academia, and the state? Where is it going to stop?
"Oh, but that's Sweden; you know those Swedes, and besides, they're half a world away," we say.
How about this: "In 2012, Melissa Erwin and Jennie McCarthy asked Cynthia and Robert
Giffords to rent their farm in Schaghticoke, New York, for their
same-sex marriage. The Giffords, who are fully involved in all aspects
of the wedding celebrations on their farm, refused because they believe
marriage is between a man and a woman as a matter of religious
conscience." In addition, their farm is also their private residence.
But they must conform to New York’s Human Right’s Law, art. 15 and pay $13,000 in fines and restitution to New York State and to the two women. (the court's decision in 2014)
"The government also ordered them to institute re-education classes for their staff."
Wait. What? Re-education classes? That sounds like Sweden. No, it's New York.
Wait. What? Re-education classes? That sounds like Sweden. No, it's New York.
The Swedish snowball of enforced conformity of belief is rolling and nothing is stopping it. We know that during the Great Tribulation the anti-Christ will enforce conformity of worship--the worship of himself upon penalty of death.
Today, we're seeing the growing snowball of public, academic, government, and media acceptance of enforced conformity of belief. We see it in Sweden, in New York's Human Right's Law, art. 15, in Indiana (remember the bakers?) and in Washington state (remember the florist?). People, the media, academia, the government, and the courts, are in support of enforced conformity of belief.
Today, we're seeing the growing snowball of public, academic, government, and media acceptance of enforced conformity of belief. We see it in Sweden, in New York's Human Right's Law, art. 15, in Indiana (remember the bakers?) and in Washington state (remember the florist?). People, the media, academia, the government, and the courts, are in support of enforced conformity of belief.
What are the next beliefs deemed to be in need of psychological treatment and reeducation? Creationism? Jesus is the Son of God? Salvation by faith alone in Christ alone? The Resurrection? The Ascension?
Are you ready for your treatment?
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Dr. Mike Halsey is the chancellor of Grace Biblical Seminary, a Bible teacher at the Hangar Bible Fellowship, the author of Truthspeak and his new book, The Gospel of Grace and Truth: A Theology of Grace from the Gospel of John," both available on Amazon.com. A copy of his book, Microbes in the Bloodstream of the Church, is also available as an E-book on Amazon.com. If you would like to a receive a copy of his weekly Bible studies and other articles of biblical teaching and application, you can do so by writing to Dr. Halsey at michaeldhalsey@bellsouth.net and requesting, "The Hangar Bible Fellowship Journal."
Comments may be addressed to michaeldhalsey@bellsouth.net.
If you would like to contribute to his ministry according to the principle of II Corinthians 9:7, you may do so by making your check out to Hangar Bible Fellowship and mailing it to 65 Teal Ct., Locust Grove, GA 30248. All donations are tax deductible.
Come visit the Hangar some Sunday at 10 AM at the above address. You'll be glad you did.
Other recommended grace-oriented websites are:
notbyworks.org
literaltruth.org
gracebiblicalseminary.org
duluthbible.org
clarityministries.org
Also:
Biblical Ministries, Inc.
C/O Dr. Richard Grubbs
P. O. Box 64582
Lubbock, TX 79464-4582
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