Overpopulation also an issue

Recently, a new rule requiring all employers who provide health insurance to their employees to include coverage for birth control has stirred up some religious groups, especially Catholics. Apparently, the issue is over freedom of religion. Advocates of the rule say it is necessary to ensure all citizens have equal access.

But the gorilla in the room nobody is talking about is the issue of overpopulation. I don’t think people pay much attention to the bullet we dodged when it comes to population. If the birth rates of the 1960s had continued unchanged, the world’s population today could easily be double what it is now, or even much higher. If memory serves, I believe the prediction was that by the year 2010, the world’s population would exceed 20 billion. That was two years ago, folks.

But, thankfully, enough people heeded the warning and through education and the development and distribution of birth control products, we averted a disaster of epic proportions. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in a creator and the principles of Christianity. But I also believe he wants us to think for ourselves and do what is reasonable. And allowing anachronistic beliefs to jeopardize our future is not reasonable.

Devin Barber

Spokane