>As a fellow baseball fan only a year younger than me I'm sure you remember Sandy Koufax refusing to pitch a World Series game because it was on Yom Kippur. It was kind of controversial at the time.
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>Recently I posed two scenarios to someone.
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>Scenario 1: A Jewish doctor in an isolated area is the only one who can treat someone gravely wounded. (Yes, I realize this would be extremely rare, if it ever happened at all). The doctor refuses to do so because it occurs on Yom Kippur, and the person dies.

The problem with this scenario is that it would never happen. Under Jewish law, the doctor would not only be permitted to treat the patient, but required to do so. Virtually every rule can be thrown out in order to save a life. The principle is called "pikuach nefesh" (pee-COO-ahkh NEH-fesh) and it means "preservation of life."

The same principle means that anyone whose health would be harmed by fasting on Yom Kippur is not only permitted not to fast, but required not to fast.

Judaism is a really pragmatic religion.

Tamar

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>Scenario 2: A Christian photographer refuses to provide wedding photography services to a same-gender wedding couple, on the grounds that it violates religious principles.
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>While admitting I'm using a bit of the Socratic method here - in either case, can/should the state intervene and force either person into an action? (or permit the seeking of damages afterwards?)
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>Kevin