In case you missed today’s New York Times there was a horrifying article about an Iranian man stoned to death for committing adultery. The Iranian news agency confirmed it and said that 20 others would be executed for various other morality crimes such as rape, insulting religious sanctities and laws, and homosexuality.”

How barbaric that this extremist religious government would impose a death sentence for these acts!

Oh, and in case the front page story in the same New York Times, Former Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona testified before a Congressional panel that top Bush administration officials compromised important public health reports because of political considerations. Those topics included stem cell research, sex education, second hand smoke and global health initiatives.

So, the leading voice for public health in this country and perhaps the world was forced to suppress valid science (like how condoms prevent disease) because of political (read religious) pressure?

While it’s a slight stretch to compare the U.S. with Iran in so many ways, it’s not far off to say that – just like in Iran—people are dying here because our president’s religious beliefs prevent Americans from getting the best health information and preventive care possible.

Don’t take my word for it. Look at the statistics. We’ve fallen to number 37 in the world in terms of mortality rates. Meanwhile, our president and his fans are too worried about appeasing the hardcore of the religious right to do something about it.

People are dying in this country and around the world because of this administration’s lust to push its religious beliefs on others. Let’s be scared for the situation in Iran, and at the same time be weary of what a theocracy can mean for America.