Lack of Science, Reason, and Compassion in the Iowa Legislature: 2021-2022

The following is a guest post by contributor Marcia Swift. We support the sharing of ideas relevant to humanism here on our blog, but the views expressed in any guest post do not necessarily reflect the views of Humanists of Linn County.

As humanists we envision a world where being good without a god is an accepted and respected way of life; where science, reason, and compassion guide public policy. 

The majority of the bills and resolutions that the 2021-22 Iowa Legislature has promulgated are completely contrary to science, reason, and compassion. It appears as if a Christian theological focus and emphasis has been brought into the Iowa Statehouse. The following are some examples: 

SJR2 & HJR5 proposes a constitutional amendment which would effectively ban abortion in  Iowa. What is the reason behind this when federal law legalizes abortion and this will only  result in court challenges? Where is the compassion for women and their families in making one of the most difficult and deeply personal decisions of their lives? 

HF383 states that medical providers must tell patients that an abortion is reversible. Science is clear in that medial abortions are not reversible. 

SF159 in effect diverts taxpayer funds from public to private schools, many of which are religious. What is the reason for robbing public school students in order to support private, often Christian schools? Under the First Amendment to the US Constitution individual citizens are free to bring their religious convictions into the public arena. But, government is prohibited from favoring one religious view over another or even favoring religion over nonreligion. Isn’t this what is happening here? 

HSB67 states political ideology is a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965. Yet, HF272 removes gender identity as a protected class under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. What is the reason behind protecting someone’s political party but allowing discrimination against an individual for being themselves? There appears to be no compassion in this bill. 

HF170 (Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act) would allow Christians to discriminate with impunity without any reciprocal protections for other religious  groups and the non-religious. Reason for this bill? Perhaps, Christian theology. In fact, a total of 14 bills have been introduced that would discriminate against and create great harm to the LGBTQ community.  

SF193 & HF330 would bar Iowa businesses, including hospitals and other health care providers from requiring their employees to get any vaccine, including for Covid. The bill totally disregards the science. 

These are only a few of the bills that have been introduced which go against everything humanists stand for. Due to the pandemic and the fact that masks are not required in the Capitol, HLC will not be holding its annual Reason On The Hill Day where we share our humanist values with the legislators and the public. Please contact your legislators and share your values.

-Marcia Swift, President of Humanists of Linn County