Faith

Andrew Sullivan: Catholic Church Wants to ‘Control the Sex Lives of Other People’

Newsweek columnist Andrew Sullivan, best known for his recent cover story asking “Why are Obama’s Critics So Dumb” (and subsequent defenses thereof) has come out with another statement that’s sure to stir controversy. Sullivan, who dubs himself a conservative yet frequently identifies with various liberal positions, recently appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews and had some choice words regarding President Obama’s recent decision to take on the Catholic church over contraception:

For those who don’t want to sit through the whole clip, this is Sullivan’s relevant quote:

He decided to back the 98 percent of Catholic women who use birth control and the vast majority of Catholics in America who support birth control and take on the Benedict XVI and John Paul II-appointed bishops, for whom no issue seems to be more important than controlling the sex lives of other people.

Needless to say, more Catholics than just the bishops will have cause to dispute Sullivan’s claim that their concern is “controlling the sex lives of other people.” Still, Sullivan’s words serve a purpose insofar as he and other supporters of the administration are attempting to fight this battle over contraception, rather than over the questions of religious and economic freedom that the White House’s mandate poses. And it’s a strategy that Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne predicted would work in the same segment.

“If this is a fight about contraception, and not a fight about religious freedom, obviously Obama wins that fight,” Dionne says shortly after Sullivan’s outburst.

Comments (215)

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  • zopola
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:44pm

    Let’s cut through the fog and the BS… When the progressives say “free access to contraceptives” they mean “taxpayer funded ABORTION”. Women already have free “access” to contraceptives. But for those who use ABORTION as a means to birth control, the missing link has been the funding. Obamacare intends to make this practice free and funded by healthcare providers; ultimately all taxpayers. There is innocent blood all over this one, folks.
    We must speak the truth plainly.

    Report Post »  
    • Manchurian.Candidate
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 2:53am

      Adorno,
      Bingo!!!!!!

      Manchurian.Candidate  
    • Favored93
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:20am

      So guys I am not a Catholic but my understanding of Catholic doctrine is that the pope is “infallible” if that is true how would you reconcile the pope that says birth control is ok and the next one saying it’s not?
      I am not trying to stir controversy this is an honest question.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • Favored93
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:22am

      @zopola
      Well said …. I could not agree more with your post.

      Report Post » Favored93  
    • Manchurian.Candidate
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:24am

      I’ve always been Pro Choice, but I’ve never really been in favor of abortion. A contradiction, I know, but it’s really a difficult situation. If a woman becomes pregnant, both she and the male have the responsibility to either have and care for the child or pay for the abortion. I don’t want to fund it with my tax dollars. I don’t think insurance companies should pay for it either. The only cases that should qualify are instances of rape and incest (which is rape). If a teenager gets pregnant, it‘s the responsibility of both families to handle it as they see fit but it’s their dime. A teenager should not be having children. And in a situation like that, abortion should be safe, legal and available. If the teenager does not want to have the child, the parents have no right to force her to. But if the parents (AND THE SCHOOLS) taught their children everything they needed to know about sex at an appropriate stage in their lives in the first place, the pregnancy rate would decrease significantly. And so would the number of abortions.
      EDUCATION is key. Keep children ignorant and they will suffer for it.

      Report Post » Manchurian.Candidate  
    • Manchurian.Candidate
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:52am

      @FAVORED93,
      Simple answer. No-one, not even the Pope, is infallible. I was born Catholic, went to church, went to catechism after school, studied the bible,….etc. And by 6th grade I realized what hypocrisy the Catholic church was. What BS organized religion is across the board. So I left it and never looked back. Which is not to say that I don’t have my beliefs. I believe in a higher spirit. I have no problem with faith. If faith is what makes you happy and gives you purpose in life, that’s great. Awesome in fact. But I have very BIG problem with YOUR faith getting in MY face. You do what you feel is right for you. Don’t ever try to tell me what is right for me. I already know what is right for me. I don’t need a Pope or a President or anyone telling me what is right for me. If I seek counsel, that’s my decision. If I seek spiritual advice from someone I trust, I still have the right and the freedom to make up my own mind on matters. Lawyers, Doctors, Teachers, etc., etc. I am under no obligation to take anyone’s word for it if I choose not to. It’s up to me. I control my own destiny.
      People who believe that what they are told is absolute, IMHO, are content not to think for themselves. Even though it’s their decision to have someone else make their decisions for them.
      We have free will.

      Report Post » Manchurian.Candidate  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 5:16am

      The Pope is not a tyrant. He is the guardian of an ideal. Catholics are not excommunicated if they do not agree with his every word. But he is a living reminder and guardian of Catholic doctrine.

      Pro choice= No choice.
      If it weren’t for institutions like the Pope, we would just be more limited in our choices of how we define our culture and civilization. Doesn’t mean you have to choose the doctrine he represents, it means you have a CHOICE between beliefs about the sanctity of life.
      (And don’t let anyone use the Catholic Church to blur the line between contraception and abortion for all of us.)

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • May Clark
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:59am

      No one is forced to be a Catholic. It is a personal choice. However, the government takes your own money and then uses it to control your life. The Catholic Church is not the enemy. The Catholic Church is not trying to take over anyone’s life or tell people what to eat. Stay focused and don’t get distracted by liberal nonsense.

      Report Post »  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:32am

      You are fools when you talk about the Catholic Church, or any church, and its human sin and ignore the real agenda of the Obama administration – less people on the planet. Contraception and abortion take care of that problem for them and UN Agenda 21 goes even farther in taking our freedom away. Do not be blind to the reality of what this administration is really trying to do. Humans make a lot of mistakes, but God’s Commandments do not change. We are a society that is being encouraged to live life without morals and that will be our downfall.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • palerider54
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:10am

      Spot on Zopola,

      @Adorno, typical liberal atheists tatic. This conversation has nothing to do with the sick priests that have molested children, but you choose to use it to attack a totally different subject. Sic.

      Your mother is one of the few women that should have had an abortion, I would have gladly paid for it.

      Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:11am

      All of you WAKE UP.
      This has nothing to do with Catholicism or Religion., nor Contraception or Abortion
      IT IS ABOUT CONTROL
      The Obama Administration is about one idea
      GOVERNMENT KNOWS BEST
      They are in full working mode and want you to think it is about the latter.
      They want yuou money, your competitive spirit and heart and soul to become
      an ENTITLEMENT ZOMBIE.
      Remember this:
      “You have to pass the bill to find out what is in it” Nancy Pelosi 3/9/09

      Pass the Heath Care Initiative Christmas eve 2009
      The Senate passed a historic $871 billion health care reform bill Thursday morning, handing President Obama a Christmas Eve victory on his top domestic priority CNN

      I believe the sleeping giant has once again raised his head.
      November 6, 2012 BRING IT ON1

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • Chris
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:55am

      Favored93:
      The catholic church’s teaching on papal infallibility has some really strict limitations – to be considered an infallible teaching it : A) has to concern an matter of faith or morals, b) is has to be consistent with scripture and existing catholic teaching, which often means it has to be something that the church already accepts and the C) It has to be explicitly made as an “ex cathedra” statement – it is specifically made as an infallible statement guided by the Holy Spirit to bind the whole church.

      Even if you are the Pope you can‘t be infallible by accident and you can’t wander off and just make stuff up.

      Report Post »  
    • zorro
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:08am

      @Favored93…I always love it when people ask questions about the Catholic Church. It never fails, though. Some idiot who thinks because they “grew up Catholic”, “went to Catholic school”, or “was an alter server” chimes in with ignorance that quite frankly, makes me laugh.

      To answer your questions, the Pope is infallible when he speaks of church doctrine. He is s sinner like the rest of us. He is not perfect; no Catholic thinks he is. This has been the case since the inception of the church. As corrupted as many Popes have been throughout time, not one has ever mis-used this infallibility to change church doctrine. In fact, this infallibility is invoked very rarely and I may be mistaken but I believe the last time a Pope dictated anything with infallibility was back in the 60′s. I‘m not sure what you mean by saying one Pope said contraception was OK and another said it wasn’t. No Pope, ever, has said contraception is OK. I believe you were given bad information. Please research this on your own. Asking relevant questions in a forum like this is not ideal.

      Report Post »  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:12am

      Well, why ARE Obama critics so dumb? No one has given me a reason yet.

      Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
    • zorro
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:15am

      Great response, Chris. Thanks.

      Report Post »  
    • Conkuur
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:23am

      @Manchurian.Candidate The thing is,is that the Man has no say whatsoever! I was actually married and my wife decided on her own one day while I was at work she didn’t want to be pregnant. All this after preparing a new baby room and picking out names. I came home that day and our baby was gone. So to all these pro choice people I ask you, Where was MY choice? If this is the way it is then if a woman decides to keep a baby I don‘t want why shouldn’t I get the choice to not take care of it? I mean I don’t get the choice of making her give birth?! They always throw up incest and rape to support abortion but the truth is it is mostly irresponsible sex or fear. A very tiny % is rape or incest. So it is just not taking responsibilities for your actions,and taking the easy way out at a childs expense!Not to mention I know 2 women who have had abortions and they still suffer to this day because of that decision. You know when I was young and naive I was for pro choice until It effected me personally and I realized What takes two to create needs two to decide. Why should one get a choice when the other has none? A matter of fact if these people actually cared about women they wouldn’t leave the decision totally on their shoulders. I mean why should a woman suffer solely for infanticide?! They don’t care about you women they just want to be paid. They fooled you and took your future.

      Report Post » Conkuur  
    • jabbott514
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:40am

      @favored93
      As a practicing Catholic, I can tell you that The Pope is infallible only when speaking on matters of Church Doctrine. Other than that, he is subject to making mistakes and missteps when speaking for himself on earthly matters, just like anyone else. As far as the birth control question goes, that was taken out of context by the MSM. If you want to know what he really said, and the context by which it was spoken, I would refer you to catholic.com, or catholicleague.org.

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:02am

      Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise ther of.
      Could that be any simplier to undrestand. This mandate is forcing a anti-religious policies on those who believe contraception and abortion are sinful. Where the he77 are the supposed conservative or rightwing congressman,,,Why hasn’t impeachment hearing be started on all the Unconstitutional actions be perpitrated by thei president and his different department.
      Here’s a clue people progressive democrats and progressive Republican are two heads of the same beast. Our officals aren‘t citizens of the Republic they aren’t guardians of our Constitution They are all big government centralize authoritarian tyrant builders. It us and them and them are doing all they can to keep us divided.

      Report Post »  
    • carbonyes
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:09am

      ZOPOLO, you sir are right on. Obama is a charlatan, a phony, a liar and a deceiver, among many other dastardly descriptions. He is a control freak, and Hell bent on the destruction of this country and our American way of life and must be stopped at all costs. There is no room for error, lethargy, or complacency in putting together a strategy that will successfully remove this monster – apologies to monsters for the comparison.

      Report Post »  
    • en2deep
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:13am

      Obama and the left is smearing the blood of the innocent all over this nation. It is a blight on our Country. Why is tax-payer funded abortion so important to the left? What sick pleasure do they get out of snuffing out babies with other peoples money? Any leftist that can read, please answer.

      Report Post » en2deep  
    • carbonyes
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:27am

      Andrew Suillivan, conservative my derriere! Like most gays, their conservatism, if any, goes about as far as the end of his nose.

      That aside, hello! This is not about contraception, but control by Obama, religious liberties by the populace, and jam it up your arse with abortion by Obama, the baby killer. Yes he is a baby killer. Check out his votes as an Illinois State Senator on what to do with babies born alive after a botched abortion – give them no medical assistance, LET THEM DIE on a table. What a compassionate, loving, considerate President we have! To that I say bunk and balderdash. Obama, the NARCISSIST and SOLIPSIST is out for HIMSELF, his AGENDA and NONE OTHER.

      The sooner Obama is dispatched with his destructive ideas, programs, agenda, and cohorts, the best chance this country has of not just surviving, but moving once again toward freedom, liberties and prosperity. Much work to be done to send him on his not so merry way – never, never to show his ugly face again.

      Report Post »  
    • MisterChuckles
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:54am

      To Favored93, the Pope is not an infallible person in himself. The Pope is only infallible when he declares something to be a fact of faith that all Catholics must believe. There have been only 7 times this is true. One of those is the Assumption of Mary, another is that Christ had 2 natures, one as man and one as God.
      I follow the Church, I attend every week, and I study the Church, Jesus himself said, do what they say not what they do. He was talking about the Pharisees and Sadducees of his time, but it holds true to this day, man will make mistakes. As a Catholic, I disagree with hiding illegals, and I disagree that the Church (Bishops in the Church), backed Obamacare, but all I can do is voice my concerns and pray for those Bishops and priest.
      God bless.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:01am

      Conkuur

      You know when I was young and naive I was for pro choice until It effected me personally and I realized What takes two to create needs two to decide. Why should one get a choice when the other has none?
      __________________________________

      Awesome post. Too bad you were hurt.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:15am

      ummm….No Mr Sullivan..the Catholic Church doesn’t want to pay directly or through another party for contraceptives, sterilants and abortion pills for anyone working within it’s enterprises. These employees are free to enjoy any sex life they choose to…just not on the Catholic Church’s dime. Is this really so difficult Mr Sullivan?

      Report Post »  
    • Manchurian.Candidate
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:22pm

      @CONKUUR,
      I think what happened with you is truly awful. I’m very sorry about that. I don’t know all the particulars in your situation but it would be my belief that if my WIFE and I were expecting a child, planning for a child,.. and suddenly for whatever selfish reason, my wife decided that she didn’t want to have a baby and on her own, without consulting me at all, terminated the pregnancy,…. I would be devastated and beyond outraged. I would think that I WOULD have some rights in this matter and in addition to having solid grounds for divorce, I would also seek to have a criminal and/or civil case brought against her. I totally understand your point and empathize completely with you on this. I don’t believe abortion should be considered a “Convenient Alternative”. Especially in a situation such as yours. I think what your ex did was cowardly (for starters). But,…. if a woman bears your child, the Man has a responsibility. Any Man who shirks that responsibility ,…. well,… that’s not what I call “Being a Man”.
      Abortion is the most difficult moral dilemma there is. There’s no easy answer. Same can said for the Death Penalty. There are some crimes that fully deserve it. At the same time, I feel it’s the easy way out. Every day we are surrounded by death. Humans think nothing of killing. It’s very sad.

      Report Post » Manchurian.Candidate  
    • Manchurian.Candidate
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:35pm

      @TEXASGRANNY,
      You read, but you do not comprehend. Had you paid closer attention, you might have noticed that what I was saying is that this issue is very, very complicated. There are no easy answers to this dilemma. My comments are based on my feelings about it, which I openly admit, are conflicted. But you seem to have it all figured out in your mind as you so smugly pointed out (without making a point). So, smart ass, regale us with your infinite wisdom. Tell us how you would handle this complicated issue,“Texas Granny” style.

      Report Post » Manchurian.Candidate  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:40pm

      Conkuur
      You & Mike Savage have something in common, a bad event.

      Report Post »  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on February 21, 2012 at 3:48pm

      Andrew Sullivan, makes one wish his parents had practiced birth control!!

      Report Post » Hollywood  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:41pm

    Im afraid Sullivan has a brain tumor.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:28am

      In order to have a brain tumor, you must first have a brain.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • jasmer
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:33am

      It’s caused by too much root snorkeling.

      Old “Milky Loads” has done it again – just when you think he can’t hit a new nadir, he manages to shovel even lower. Perhaps revisiting Sarah Palin’s uterus one more time?

      Report Post »  
    • AVM
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:17am

      Andrew Sullivan,is a HIV positive gay man and he has the nerve to speak of birth control and the Catholic church doctrine?

      Report Post »  
    • DD313
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 11:55am

      Remember Harlan Ellison’s work “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream?” With Sullivan it’s “I Have No Brain and I Must F@rt.”

      Report Post » DD313  
    • DrFrost
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:48pm

      That brain tumor is called liberalism.

      It takes someone extremely comfortable with bending the facts to the point of breaking to equate the catholic church not wanting to be forced to fund abortions to them wanting to control everyones sex life.

      Decent people refer to this as a bald-faced lie.

      Report Post »  
  • sisserydoo
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:37pm

    Newsflash…Even if insurance doesn’t pay for you birth control pills, you can still buy them yourself! Nobody’s rights are being violated by the catholic church here, they can still do what they want.

    Report Post » sisserydoo  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:40pm

      Left wingers are too dishonest to admit that.

      Report Post »  
    • mr molotov cocktail
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:51am

      the catholic church is in big business and it hires millions of illegals should someone who outright commits a crime – get away with it- just wait a big dump of stuff is coming from anon- the church is going to be shaking to its core……
      when the catholic church got into big-business they left the church for the secular world~!

      Report Post » mr molotov cocktail  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 2:13am

      They are free at Planned Parenthood!

      Report Post »  
    • conservativejon
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:22am

      but but but, the you would have to pay for them then. everyone knows that all benifits are supposed to be free.

      Report Post »  
  • outwest
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:33pm

    I am so sick of financing other people’s decisions. If you do not want to have a baby, then do not have sex…..HOW HARD IS THAT TO UNDERSTAND! Grow up!

    Report Post »  
    • jpward001
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:03am

      This is about sin anyone who says otherwise is blind and cannot see. It is about the moral freedom that the left wants with no consequences nor responsibility, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, demands personal responsibility and accountability to God. If they can tell you it is all right to sin, that there are no consequences then they become the god and can give you absolution from what every sinner knows is wrong. If they can take away the stigma of sin then why should someone feel quilt for their immoral action. Abortion is murder until you are told it is a woman’s right to control her body and have all the sexual pleasure that she wants and then take away the consequence of a baby. It is ok to abort your baby, it is not murder, it is your right to freedom from the result of your sin. Sin begets Sin and when the church is aborted there will be no one to tell you that you have committed sexual sin and murder. This has been going on for years and when we allowed prayer to be taken out of our schools we were on a path of destruction that is being rained on us now. Obama is simply the last of a long line of men and women who have set out to make sin acceptable to a nation that was founded on our ability to worship the way we want. The first amendment was written by men who wanted to make sure that no government could take away those rights. But who needs freedom of religion when we advocate that sin is no longer sin. May God have mercy on their souls. (My rant for today)

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:33am

      @JPWard–Usually don’t read long commentary but your “rant” is just fine.

      Report Post »  
    • jabbott514
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:50am

      @jpward001

      Thank you! Fantastic post! AMEN!

      Report Post »  
    • outwest
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:04pm

      Amen to that….and may God have mercy on our souls as well for tolerating evil.

      Report Post »  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:30pm

    So Sullivan, what obligates people who don’t wish to partake of your decadence to fund it? Why do you think you have the right to command the money and property of others? What makes you think that your view of what is proper is superior to the views of people who follow the Catholic faith? Go fund your own contraceptives. They are cheap enough.

    Report Post »  
  • MS Patriot
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:29pm

    All you twits who think the Christians are out to take away your rights to safely fornicate, need to understand the government never gives out anything free with out rules and regulations. They may not be able to control the amount of immoral sex you have, but you can be damn sure they will force you to take protection whether you want it or not.
    Seat belt laws ring a bell.

    You don’t have your contraceptive implant. Sorry you don’t qualify for entitlements, student loans or federal aid.

    You want it you got it and Big Government will make sure you have it. Whether you do or don’t.

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:18pm

    Definition of OPPRESSION
    a: unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power b: something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:18pm

    NO… the Church does not want engage Prostitutes (those who want to get paid [ie receive free stuff] for having Sex)!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • circleDwagons
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:17pm

    funny,funny funny. Progs have no problem dictating how people should live but if a private group has standards then there is a problem.

    Church – bad. Government – good
    Paul – bad. obama,romney,gingrich,santorium – good

    Report Post » circleDwagons  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:17am

      Everyone is saying that a church, any church, is trying to dictate how we live. Churches are trying to convey what GOD asks of us. The Pope is not infallible on daily issues, only on very limited matters of faith. Lets not reverse what is really happening. Government is trying to dicate how we live. Those in charge of this administration believe there are too many people on the planet. Contraception and abortion help to take care of that problem for them. Don’t be blind to their agenda.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
  • katiefrankie
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:17pm

    What I don’t understand is, can’t anyone buy condoms? I’m no longer Catholic, and to be honest, I don’t buy their stance on birth control and never did (or on other things, but that is beside the point), but how in the world does the Catholic Church sticking up for its First Amendment rights prohibit women from access to condoms? Oh, yeah – it doesn’t. Besides, women aren’t the only ones who should be concerned about this sort of thing. Men have the same responsibility when it comes to birth control, since they are parents too.

    Report Post » katiefrankie  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:04am

      People can still buy condoms if they want to as long as taxpayers don’t have to pay for it. There’s no evidence of the Catholic church trying to make them illegal.

      If people don’t like the stance of the Catholic church on birth control, then they don’t have to join the church or work for them.

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:02am

      This is still about the 1st amendment although now it has changed to “women’s rights”. Women’s rights?This is Kathleen Sibilius “rights”. Will someone clue in clueless me as to where women’s rights are written into the Constitution aside from RoeVsWade? Sure and men’s rights are next up. How about some good old vi-agra you impotent men discounting those who cause such angst among you being gay and all. Bet it’s free Obamacare next. So-promote sex, prevention free and abortion on demand (morning after pill and regulations always regulations). Wow, pursuit of happiness and all is well with our dictator mandater. And Kathleen Sibilius a real authentic wo-man (relatively speaking). This is against religion and means all religions would be affected (I stand with Catholics). The govt. ordered priests in MILITARY not preach this issue, correct? Military is govt.

      Report Post »  
  • LB
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:16pm

    I am so sick of this crap. It has nothing to do with a womans right to have birth control. EVERYONE is missing the point. It’s the “FREE” birth control that is the problem. Maybe they are putting something in the BC (sterilizing) and are trying to push it and “free” will get more women to use it. You have to wonder why. I don’t trust any of them.

    Report Post » LB  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:42am

      Nope. The point is the government is now into 1st amendment “freedom of religion” which our Founders put there under unalienable rights given us by God. By attacking Catholic church through the govt. (military) they hit a huge brick wall and to get over it around it through it now call it “women’s rights”. Brought to us pure evil.

      Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:03am

      @TX Granny – right – the issue is that the Fed Gov’t is saying that Catholic doctrine is wrong and for the Church to continue to adhere to that doctrine, the church will be fined. Straight up violation of freedom of the church to be free from Gov’t control over church doctrine.

      I am sick to death of relativism. Just because a majorith of people deem something to be fine and sinless doesn’t make it so. The laws of God and the church are not subject to a vote by mere humans. We can choose to follow those dictates or not and we must be willing to accept the eternal judgement for those choices

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • FALCON961
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:10pm

    It has always been about abortion no matter what the left says. It is their touch stone. The most important thing for our government and our freedom is the FIRST AMENDMENT to OUR CONSTITUTION. If the First Amendment goes, the rest will surely follow!

    Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:22pm

      This has nothing to do with the first amendment. The Church as an employer of a janitor in a university has no right to impose its beliefs on the janitor. The first amendment argument here is nothing more than a smoke screen to get the brain dead fox viewers upset and voting for one of the three stooges in the GOP primary.

      Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:34pm

      encimon like usual you are a blathering fool. you will never understand and I feel sorry for you.

      Report Post »  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:36pm

      So the janitor’s immoral behavior is forced upon me at my expense? So government decides who’s beliefs are more important? We are taking the right from the janitor, we just aren’t going to support it by paying for it, for him. Go down to the drug store and by your own condoms. They give them away for free at the clinic my tax dollars support, isn’t that enough.

      When they begin to force sterilization onto the janitor because he is too poor or not intelligent enough to procreate what are you ignorant little twits going to say to Big Government then?

      Stop that’s too far? NO, you are too late in realizing what you have given away.

      Report Post »  
    • Dougral Supports Israel
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:38pm

      @Encinom, The Church is imposing nothing on the Janitor. The Janitor is free to buy what he wishes with the pay he gets. This includes contraceptives. Why do you think that employers are duty-bound to fund the Janitor’s recreation with company/church funds?

      Report Post »  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:07am

      @ENICOM

      Don’t like the bennies, go work someplace else…

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • jujubeebee
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 2:18am

      Encinom: It is about freedom whether your peabrain can see it or not. The government or Ms. Sebelius will be deciding your healthcare….whether you deserve an operation based on age and cost…..whether some should pay for others … you smoke..you pay…….you eat…you pay……you think you can have your religion…ha…no way….we decide what you pay for……………. You are a greedy person encinom….because you like all the Obama supporters want something for nothing or want redistribution of wealth. You are willing to give up freedom for it. You are the idiot voter that Obama appeals to.

      Report Post »  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:57am

      @Encinom–Yes, it is a 1st amendment issue. Of course it is. Brought to the church through the military which is govt. camel humping nose under and into the tent. You freaking well know it but are just disgusting troll (mostly a snake on Medusa’s head). What do you think it will gain you Encinom by supporting evil? Seriously. Obama opened a hornet’s nest and now it is step back and call it “women’s rights”. Funniest darn thing is women always have had rights and now there is an argument about my rights? It is about Kathleen Sibilius “rights” Obamacare “rights” against the people “rights”. Mandater dictator “rights”. Against church morality “rights”. Catholic church should fire everyone you mentioned that is not of their doctrine if your argument held.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:13am

      @ Texas Granny

      You are a poor old fool, led astray by Beck and Fox News. Fact:

      In December 2000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that companies that provided prescription drugs to their employees but didn’t provide birth control were in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prevents discrimination on the basis of sex. That opinion, which the George W. Bush administration did nothing to alter or withdraw when it took office the next month, is still in effect today—and because it relies on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it applies to all employers with 15 or more employees. Employers that don‘t offer prescription coverage or don’t offer insurance at all are exempt, because they treat men and women equally—but under the EEOC’s interpretation of the law, you can’t offer other preventative care coverage without offering birth control coverage, too. http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/controversial-obama-birth-control-rule-already-law

      That’s right, this has been the law for over a decade, W. did nothing to reverse it and it is based on the 14th amendment. this has nothing ot do with the Church as a religious insitution, bu the Churhc as a secular employer, employing people of various backgrounds to perform duties other than ministry. the clerk in the gift shop is being given a choice, her rights are being protected.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr._Proud_Conservative
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:29pm

      @Encinom:

      What you posted is actually just part of the issue. See, the law you just posted above forces employers to provide contraceptives “if” they provide health care. Now you may wonder “why didn’t the Catholic churches and religious freedom nuts stir up any stink before?”. Well before Obamacare they had the choice to simply not provide health care, but with Obamacare they are forced to provide health care, which because of the ruling passed in 2000 translates into forcing them to provide contraceptives.

      So really Encinom who is the fool? You, Me, or TexasGranny?

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:40pm

      @Mr._Proud_Conservative

      Idiot, name one hosptial or university that is not going to provide health care insurance to its staff? We are not talking about small mom and pop shops, but large institutions that entice employees with salary and benefit packages.

      What you aren’t commenting on is that this was the law prior to Obama.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr._Proud_Conservative
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 1:09pm

      @Encinom :

      Ahh, nothing I love better than getting attacked personally, it shows I’m winning.

      Now onto your frivolous point, I believe the argument here is forcing institutions no matter how big or small to provide health care, which again would force them to provide contraceptives, to individuals they employ whether they want to or not. The fact that all large institutions provide healthcare, whether true or not, is not the issue here. Forcing Catholic institutions to provide healthcare that by law must provide contraceptives is.

      Also, as for comment about me not mentioning the law was passed before Obamacare is simply not true. I specifically stated it was passed in 2000 which was before Obamacare.

      Report Post »  
    • Manchurian.Candidate
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:48pm

      @Mr._Proud_Conservative,
      “So really Encinom who is the fool? You, Me, or TexasGranny”?

      I vote for Texas Granny.

      Report Post » Manchurian.Candidate  
  • TheCenturion
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:08pm

    We MUST figure out a way to expose the lying bastards who call themselves journalists in the mainstream media.

    The rest of America MUST be awakened!

    Report Post »  
    • Winedude
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:23pm

      And what do you propose we do about the lying bastards that think this whole battle is over religious & economic freedom? There ARE viable arguments from both sides…although I think that the Catholic and every other church involve themselves far too much in other peoples’ lives.

      Report Post »  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:40pm

      WineDude,
      When did the Catholic Church come to your house and ask for you to pay for anything they do? When was the last time the Catholic Church stopped you from doing something you wanted to do?

      You are full of BS and are to ignorant to know it.

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:08am

      Well said MS Patriot.

      >Oh, …and if the janitor wants free condoms, ask one of his children, nieces, nephews or friend’s kids to get some from school.

      Report Post » spirited  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:23am

      The Catholic Church is demanding to be excused from employment laws they everyother employer must abid by. The Catholic Church is making policiy based on their morality that will directly affec thte insurance coverage of their employees. Cause a bunch of altar boy loving Bishops know whats best with regards to women’s health.

      Report Post »  
    • Winedude
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:45am

      Ms. Patriot: When the Catholic (and other religious affiliations) quit skirting by without paying income taxes, then I’ll quit criticizing. I abhor that my taxes are higher to subsidize any religious affiliation. If they’re so good, let the believers TOTALLY support them.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:30am

      encinom

      Dude you’re mental. What percentage of priests engage in pedophilia? I have copied the sites of seminary students who felt threatened & considered leaving seminary because there was so much gay sex going on. They felt like a minority at the seminary for being celibate. Go check out bishop.accountability,org. They show the # of cases swiftly decreasing. It may be due to a lag in reporting or it may actually be decreasing. If it is the latter you will still be beating a dead horse well into your days as a retirement home patient.

      Report Post »  
  • geonj
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:03pm

    moron

    Report Post » geonj  
  • Searchingforthelight
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:02pm

    Sorry those are “His” Commandments not mine.

    Report Post »  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:10pm

      Fine, that’s your protected sex not mine. You pay for it.

      Report Post »  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:16pm

      You can spring for your own abortion also, if you have unprotected sex. Why should I pay taxes for you to run around and be irresponsible with your body.

      Why do I have to be drug down into your immoral actions? Why can’t I chose not to be apart of your poor decision making.

      Report Post »  
  • smokey888x2
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:00pm

    The Church teaches, the people are suppost to learn, all people are sinners but Andrew throws the first rock.

    Report Post » smokey888x2  
  • ColoradoMaverick
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:58pm

    You have a choice to use contraception and to also be a Catholic. You may exercise that right and you may also pay for it. Don’t expect the Church to be required to pay for it. Pay for it yourself. You also have a choice in America to abort (murder) your unborn baby. I think it’s immoral and should be illegal, but right now it is legal (and immoral). I guess according to the law, you can exercise that right, even if it is a sin in Gods eyes. Again, so expect others to assist you in this with our money. That would make us guilty of your immoral sin.

    Report Post » ColoradoMaverick  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:26pm

      these idiot liberals seem to miss the point that we are already paying for this through their god baal aka planned parenthood. any idiot can walk in there and get free abortions, birth control or condoms. The reason they don’t ever bring this up we all know, because this is about undermining religious people’s deeply held convictions, subverting our rights and conscience and grabbing more power and control.

      Report Post »  
    • AxelPhantom
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:57pm

      “You have a choice to use contraception and to also be a Catholic”

      Technically no you can’t, our pastor made that point last week.

      You can “call” yourself Catholic but rejecting the dogma of the church is grounds for ex-communication as it is no longer practicing the teachings of the religion. Since life begins at conception, artificially stripping the lining of the uterus with hormones so that pregnancy cannot occur is the same as abortion as far as The Church is concerned. Hard line, absolutely, but that is the fact of The Church’s stance.

      Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:48pm

      @AxelPhantom

      Your Padre lied, use birth control, hell the majority of Catholic law schools already cover birth control for their students and staff, Law Student at Fordham, a leading Jesuit university are actively promoting Planned Parenthood, http://blog.cardinalnewmansociety.org/2011/12/01/catholic-college-students-organize-birth-control-clinic/. And when you are done with the birth control, go to confession, do say a few Hail Marys and a couple of Our Fathers and your soul is clean.

      Report Post »  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:26pm

      Encinom – Nobody should be forced to pay for someone else’s birth control. If others should be forced to pay for birth control, then it’s only fair that losers like you pay for guns, which actually IS a Constitutional right.

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:57pm

    The majority of AMERICANS don’t support ABORTION. They could give a rats *** about the use of contraceptives, but want the actor to buy his or her own .Pretty Easy

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • Madashellirishman
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:57pm

    I knew it wouldn’t be long before they dusted off this old complaint… Give me a break, this crap is getting old. But… the zombies will keep buying it time and time again.

    Report Post »  
  • Freedom Keeper
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:56pm

    This is another great example of our rights being stripped away from us, including these: http://oleglorynews.com/2012/02/14/stolen-liberties/, OLE GLORY NEWS.

    Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 2:45pm

      No rights are being stripped, you are still free to worship as you please, to not take birth control.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr._Proud_Conservative
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:03pm

      Other than the right to not be coerced into entering a private contract with another private entity.

      A.K.A. Mandating employers to give employees health insurance.

      Report Post »  
  • smokey888x2
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:53pm

    Andrew: Just go M-B on the constitution then come back and talk to us about your theology degree in Left Wing – wingnuts.

    Report Post » smokey888x2  
  • COFemale
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:50pm

    Like men know anything about contraception, please give me a break. They are half the problem.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:53am

      If someonewas inserting something into me I would make sure they used the tools I reqired…..

      Women need to take resposibility and learn the words no and stop.

      Report Post » Psychosis  
    • netmarcos
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:25am

      And women constitute the other half of the problem. Got it. Any other brilliant insights to share?

      Report Post » netmarcos  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:48pm

    Yes Smithers, my plan to make all people do it “Missionary” is coming together. Soon, you will only be able to dry hump. Excellent. Ladies, cover those ankles now. Burkas are next.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:09pm

      If someone want to have sex it is none of my business to stop them. If they want to have protected sex it is non of my business. Don’t make it my business by making me pay for them to have free protected sex if I disagree. Since when does the government determine what type of sex people are having.

      You ignorant people are concerned about the Church making you have sex in the missionary position with only your spouse, while big government take away your right to choose.

      What will you twits think when the government determines that you have to take contraceptives. If they can mandate the American people to buy insurance, why can’t they mandate females to take contraceptives? You shallow and ignorant fools don’t look any farther into the future than what benefits you now.

      Big religion is not what scares you. That’s just what is left of your conscience making you feel badly.

      Big Government is what you should fear.

      When the government determines only college educated women with jobs should be allowed to have children then you will understand what we have been talking about.

      When government controlled healthcare determines you are too high a risk for a genetic defect to have children then you will understand what we have been talking about. (understand they determine the risk and the genetic defect)

      You can’t give in unless you are willing to give up the right to make those decisions for yourself.

      Report Post »  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:11am

      @MS PATRIOT

      Well said!!!

      It may be called a ‘slippery slope’ by some, but some see it as the next logical (scary) step.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:47pm

    “Sullivan, who dubs himself a conservative yet frequently identifies with various liberal positions…”
    ————————————————————————————————————–
    Did Scarborough change his name?

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Dalady
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:06pm

      He who controls the language controls the debate. It’s not the contraception, it’s the liberty at stake. The zombies will buy the narrative. God help us. OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:34pm

      Hey .. .I thought this was what PLANNED PARENTHOOD WAS FOR. Don’t they supply cheap/free birth control .. Why do we need the government to do it …

      Report Post »  
  • mayihelpyou
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:47pm

    There is no fight over contraception. It is a fight over religious freedom.

    Report Post »  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:54pm

      Wes and power
      If they can do this to the 1st adm the rest will soon go too……

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • encinom
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:57pm

      Has nothing to do with religious freedom and everything to do with the question can a employer impose its morality on its employees. This is a moot issue, W.’s EEOC force the church to cover birth control for its non-church employees. The majority of Catholic law schools cover birth control in the plans they give their students and faculty.

      Report Post »  
    • IronSights
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:02pm

      As well as the government mandating what businesses will provide to their employee’s.

      You know based on the second amendment I‘ll probably be expected to give my employee’s firearms since it is a right. Oh wait a minute the right to keep and bare arms IS in the constitution. Borack is only mandating constitutional rights that really AREN”T in the constitution. For such a highly educated scholar he sure is a DA.

      Report Post » IronSights  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:12pm

      DEMOCRATS force their morality on us all the time.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:34am

      @13TH IMAM

      Very true, but I would rephrase it to say that they force their LACK of morality on us all the time.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:15am

      @Encinom You are just incredibly dense. Employers imposing morality? That so? Employer doesn’t pay enough to employee. That’s immoral. Employer requires employee to actually work. That’s immoral. And oh my doesn’t want to pay for dooo wacky dooo. Forcing immorality (your morals Encinom) on plain old folks, gee whiz. Wow, if it were Ronald Reagan he would fire all of those folks hanging for the paycheck and hire newbies that fit the old morals being forced and want to work regardless. It is about 1st AMENDMENT and you know it.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:33am

      encinom
      Catholic Law schools provide contraception. So it appears that the Catholic church rules supreme. Maybe you want them to cover contraception so that you can make an argument that they have to cover PreP for yourself.

      Report Post »  
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