Legislators in Maryland and Delaware recently legalized a practice called natural organic reduction, a method of dealing with a body after death that is sometimes called “human composting.” In both cases, legislators had to overcome lobbyists from the Catholic Church.
This issue affects everyone. After all, we’re all going to die, and when that day comes, something will have to be done with our bodies. Many people prefer a traditional burial in a casket in the ground. Others may opt to be placed in a mausoleum. Still others specify cremation.
There are other options. Natural organic reduction, now legal in 10 states, is a growing alternative. Under the process, the body is placed in a large container with straw, wood chips, alfalfa and other materials. Heat is applied, and in about a month or so, the body breaks down into nutrient-rich soil. The soil is usually taken to a wooded area and used to nourish trees. From death comes new life.
The hierarchy of the Catholic Church has decided, for some reason, that this process isn’t dignified. That’s fine for them, and I would certainly support the church’s right to tell its members not to use natural organic reduction. But, of course, the church’s lobbyists didn’t stop there: They tried to ban it for everyone.
Americans United has for some time been making the point that the fact that a certain practice may offend someone’s religion is not a good enough reason to ban that practice. You have to show that the practice causes real, actual harm.
Let’s say your neighbor down the block is writing his will and really likes the idea of nourishing trees and plants after this death, so he opts for natural organic reduction. He dies, and his wishes are honored. The soil is taken to an area where its use is permitted and spread around.
How does this affect anyone else’s religious activity? Does it prevent anyone from praying? From going to church? From worshipping as they see fit? From being buried as they choose or as their religion dictates?
It doesn’t. In fact, unless the soil is dumped on the front lawn of a church without its permission, it’s not their business.
Religious freedom gives you broad rights to decide when, how and if you want to worship. It prevents people from interfering with that right. But it grants you no power to decide how other people run their lives – or what happens once those lives have come to an end.
