Public policy and health

Public policy and health

A common question many people ask is whether religion if fit to dictate what I right or wrong. Jackson and Perkins hold that religious views should be allowed to design the way peoples lives. They maintain that the doctrine should be adopted for people to follow. However, politics and public policies prove a challenge. Governmental policies do not offer much for the religious principles in the public domain. (Jackson & Perkins, 2008). They seem undermined by the public. According to the authors, religion is a very crucial aspect of peoples living. As such, it should be allowed in society to dictate what is wrong and is right; in a sense, they emphasize on appreciation and acknowledgment o religious beliefs and teaching. They converse that these doctrines should be part of guiding principles of people.

The book is divided into twelve chapters which devour into different issues within society. They tackle immigration core of life, poverty, racial justice, and religious liberties. They share insights on how society should exist cohesively. The authors employ a friendly tone and try to maintain it equivocally. This is to mean as much as they want to insist on the importance of religion playing a significant role in the society. They as well do not wish to align their perspective in a mandatory tone. They hold that people face through so much in their daily lives. Some of the issues faced in society arise from policies passed by the authority. Some of these policies and regulations may not be very friendly. They may be biased and seem oppressive. The authors state that in such situations, people should not despair. More so, they do not have to engage in demeaning activities. Instead, they should hold on to their religious beliefs and face life boldly. This paper focuses on an analyzed point of view expressed within this book regarding religious doctrines and people’s daily life.

The modern society has developed utilitarian values. This is the view depicted in the first chapter of the book. The chapter discusses the core of life and sets to review issues facing the community critically. It covers sections about abortion. On this note, the authors hold that Christians need to uphold their beliefs when faced with such an issue. This is to means that the authors lay much emphasis on the value of life. Overly, abortion is regarded as unethical and morally wrong. However, statutory rules and regulations have offered exemptions to the issue. Some states have legalized abortion. Whenever the expectant mother is not ready to have the child, then she can acquire a court consent to terminate the pregnancy. In other situations, abortion is allowed when the life of the mother is in danger. This is to means that if the life of the mother is exposed to an imminent risk arising from the pregnancy, then it can be terminated. In a sense, whatever the reason, there is a life that is ended whenever abortion is done. According to the authors, abortion is wrong on an ethical approach and religious approaches. It should not be, in any case, be allowed. However, due to the dynamics of the society people live in, the authors state that such issues are unavoidable. Therefore, Christians should uphold their religious beliefs, which demean abortion as it does not respect the core value of life.

From the book, a complimentary point of view is expressed in poverty. Poverty is widely seen in many families, especially those headed by single parents. Mot governments have instituted programs that reward single parents in a bid to ease the parenthood. In a sense, it can be seen that some government policies facilitate poverty. When two parents come together, they work diligently towards providing for their children. However, single parenthood des nit counter this. A single parent with many children, for instance, has severe challenges in providing for the kids. Surprisingly, despite most governments knowing that single parenthood promotes poverty, they offer rewards to single parents, which is depicted as a motivation. However, according to the authors, the bile in the new testament accepts the reality of poverty. It states that it is complicated to overturn the situation. The authors opine that such a policy takes a toll on an individual’s integrity regarding making free choices. In a sense, the governments running such systems tend to manipulate the freedom of its citizens when it comes to making free choices.

The authors further devour on the issue of health practices. Research has indicated that countries which employ a single-payer in the health sector have more mortality rate. This is caused by the long waitlist always waiting before the payment is released. This could be understood as every government service requires specific procedures to be followed. (Stoker, 2006).  In many instances, these procedures happen to be too rigid and long. As such, they cannot respond t emergencies and urgent situations. More research has shown that the most affected are elderly individuals, especially those suffering from heart disease, cancer, and diabetic issues. The authors hold the claim that such policies regarding health service provision contrast the beliefs and religious doctrine. Health is a crucial contributor to happy living. Therefore, government policies should ensure that it is readily available whenever needed. They should come up with strategies that readily respond to urgencies and emergencies to save lives. However, it is never the case with these policies. In such cases, the authors call for people to uphold their beliefs and keep active in the faith.

Affirmative actions and retributions by the government are not always the best strategy in dealing with racial issues. The authors hold that collective individual effort is the best way to counter racial problems. Racial discrimination arises in communities that harbor people from different ethnicity. In such societies, some ethnic groups feel more superior than the other. As such, they involve themselves in activities that demean the other ethnic group. Such scenarios have been witnessed in the United States, where African American women were highly discouraged from pursuing political care. They were never seats reserved for them in the congress. More so, police brutality was reported to be on the rise targeting the black community in the United States. (Cheng & Schweitzer, 1996). According to the author, people need to live and exist cohesively in the city. Racial differences should not be the causes of conflicts in society. Instead, our differences should bring us together to educate us. The bible calls for the peaceful existence of the individual in the community regardless of the differences. They refer to the actions of Christ. He was supernatural, yet he never despised anyone. He accepted all people to hi irrespective of their race or tribe. Therefore, the authors state that individuals in a community need to emulate the actions of Christ and incorporate his teaching in their daily life. In a sense, the authors are championing for collective action by people towards dealing with issues facing the community.

Most cultures have high regard for the marriage institution. It is the foundation of the family. For instance, in African culture, marriage was regarded as sacred. A woman was not allowed to have children before marriage. Similarly, in African cultures, divorces were never granted. The marriage institution was very prestigious. However, with western civilization, these traditions and customs have been eroded. (Parkin & Nyamwaya, 2018). Nowadays, divorces are widespread, as well as children bearing before marriage. The authors claim that divorce and infidelity is a vice condemned by the bible. In a sense, the authors share an insight similar to the cultural beliefs of many communities. They agree marriage institution is essential in providing sexual security.  The authors, too, share a similar opinion regarding marriages. In the recent past, governments have been passing laws legalizing gay marriages. This is to means people of the same sex can legally be married and settle down to start a family. This issue has been very ambiguous in several nations. Some people have expressed distaste regarding the same. However, the governments have passed policies to legalizing this type of marriage. According to the bible, same-sex marriage is not allowed. The authors hold that it goes against Christian beliefs and doctrines. The Scripture clearly states that marriage is for a woman and man, not the same-sex characters. Nonetheless, with the changing world, same-sex marriages have been acted. However, the book opines that Christians should uphold their believe and follow the teachings provided in the bible.

Overly, the authors provide deep insights into the relationship of individuals in the community. The discuss deeply the predicaments that are facing modern society. Some of these issues tend to challenge Christians. However, the authors candidly appeal to Christian to continue upholding their beliefs, whatever the circumstance. Therefore, one can see from the reasoning passed on by the authors that religious doctrine plays a significant role in shaping individual life in society. According to them, these doctrines need to be appreciated and acknowledged. By doing so, most of the predicaments facing people shall be dealt with in a way that is pleasing and does not raise moral concern.

Reference

Cheng, H., & Schweitzer, J. C. (1996). Cultural values reflected in Chinese and US television commercials. Journal of advertising research, 36(3), 27-46.

Jackson, H. R., & Perkins, T. (2008). Personal faith, public policy. Charisma Media.

Parkin, D., & Nyamwaya, D. (2018). Transformations of the African marriage. Routledge.

Stoker, G. (2006). Public value management: a new narrative for networked governance?. The American review of public administration, 36(1), 41-57.