Religious Freedom Group Files Lawsuit Against Obama Contraception Mandate
- Posted on February 13, 2012 at 12:30pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Considering the fact that the 2012 presidential election is only months away, the Obama administration‘s missteps in handling the Health and Human Services Department’s contraceptive mandate are stunning. At best, the administration failed to gauge the Catholic Church‘s full fury when considering the realization of impending women’s services requirements. Now, the rhetoric coming from those opposed the the measures has reached a boiling point, with one group already launching legal battles against the initiative.
On Friday, Obama attempted to temper the storm by releasing plans for an “accommodation” that would exempt religiously-affiliated universities and institutions from being forced to directly offer contraceptives and other controversial services. As the Blaze reported, under the “compromise,” the insurers that these faith-related groups contract with will, indeed, be forced to cover contraceptives for those employees who wish to receive them.
This provision, while first being called a step in the right direction, was ultimately dubbed “unacceptable” by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Friday. The religious leaders contended, as they had before the president’s so-called compromise, that the measure “must be corrected.” Republican leaders, too, aren’t backing down nor are they accepting the accommodation as a viable solution to the original religious infringement they observed.
“There’s no compromise here,” GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, a Catholic, said of Obama’s changes to the mandate. “They are forcing religious organizations, either directly or indirectly, to pay for something that they find is a deeply, morally, you know, wrong thing. And this is not what the government should be doing.”
Then, on Friday, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a legal and educational non-profit, released a letter from 100 scholars and leaders who had come together to oppose the administration’s stance on the mandate. The large group contends that the regulation is “a grave violation of religious freedom” and that it “cannot stand.” The letter reads, in part (read the entire letter here):
This so-called “accommodation” changes nothing of moral substance and fails to remove the assault on religious liberty and the rights of conscience which gave rise to the controversy. It is certainly no compromise. The reason for the original bipartisan uproar was the administration’s insistence that religious employers, be they institutions or individuals, provide insurance that covered services they regard as gravely immoral and unjust. Under the new rule, the government still coerces religious institutions and individuals to purchase insurance policies that include the very same services.
On Feb. 9, The Becket Fund also filed a lawsuit against the contraceptive mandate on behalf of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), a Catholic news group founded by a nun named Mother Angelica. This lawsuit follows a previous legal battle waged by the group last year on behalf of Belmont Abbey College (a Catholic college) and Colorado Christian University (an evangelical college).
In describing these lawsuits and the religious-freedom issues associated with Obama’s health care overhaul, the Heritage Foundation writes:
The Heritage Foundation has repeatedly criticized the Obamacare contraception mandate as a violation of religious freedom. Heritage has also pointed out that the Obama Administration’s actions, though entirely counter to the freedom of religion, “should not be surprising given the nature of the President’s health care law.” Religious freedom goes hand in hand with limited government and with freedom more generally. With intrusions of freedom as broad as those made by the Obamacare legislation, burdens on freedom of religious and moral conscience are likely to follow. Indeed, they have.
These developments come as Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announces that his state may be the first to also challenge the contraceptive mandate. Schuette is supporting The Becket Fund‘s lawsuits and plans to be in touch with other states about how they can assist in challenging the Obama administration’s mandate.
“We cannot compromise religious liberty,” Schuette said. “We cannot undermine constitutional protections…This is a radical attack on the First Amendment that cannot stand.”
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Comments (47)
Windsong
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:51pmHow enlightening this exercise has been!
Report Post »I’ve seen and heard hundreds of administration officials…and media types continue to make this into a ‘birth control’ issue.
What I haven’t heard from any of them is that the most important thing they can do as parents is impress the importance of not allowing someone to violate their morals on their daughters and sons. For the Democratic party, their ten year old having sex isn’t a problem, but not having the morning after pill is a ‘violation of rights’. That‘s the sad truth that has emerged and I pity those who don’t realize how they sound.
For many, many years, I have been paying for free clinics, free lunches, food stamps, low income housing, Social Security, Workman‘s Comp and now a whole bunch of ’unemployment’ to those who grown to lazy to work. They want their checks, their free food, schooling and phones. And now, this administration has decided that I need to pay for the sex lives of same. Apparently ‘Just say no’ only applies to drugs for some people. It also doesn’t bother these little darlings that it goes against my religion and my conscience to help them abort after a night of their chosen entertainment.
Grow up, people. I don’t care how many people you decide to sleep with in a given day. I do care that you have so little judgement or guidance in such matters, but that’s your decision…not your ‘right’. Get your own contraception or wear a chastity belt. It IS totally your decision.
SoulReaver
Posted on February 14, 2012 at 5:57amI could not agree more legislating morality is not what we should be teaching. We have turned from a society of what is my responsibility to what can I get, and what can I get away with. However the problem is not the left they have always been there trying to give away someone else’s rights and money. The difference today is that Christians no longer stick up for what is right and has not for about 40 years. Every once in a while someone yells stop when the left advances too far, so they stop for a while let everything calm down and then proceed to lower our standards one at a time. Christians are just as comfortable in their houses and prosperity as the left is and do not want their comfort zones to be rattled. This is the greatest problem of today.
Report Post »bmel
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:13pmfancy nancy&hapless harry is the polite way to say drones for the dems.I believe that a free bookburning and an optional baby killing goes with the party membership. Harsh 55 million babies wouldn’t think so. Obama’s minions are now steeping up occupoop wall street and the like How can congress stand by and allow this??
Report Post »bmel
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 9:58pmAttacking churches way to go Obamanator.It is the same as it was attacking a church any church by the GOVT??Our government. Yah mien Chicago thugfraudmiester.
Report Post »BeenThereDoneThat
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 8:42pmI am truly confused about how we as taxpayers fund Planned Parenthood, which kills babies. Is that not a sin, for those of us who believe abortion is immoral and evil? Do we think some legal group is supposed to fix this for us by fighting the administration over the mandated insurance issue? Isn’t the government forcing us against our religious conscience to participate in a worse evil than prescribing birth control pills?
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:48pm“As the Blaze reported, under the “compromise,” the insurers that these faith-related groups contract with will, indeed, be forced to cover contraceptives for those employees who wish to receive them.”
Report Post »What happened to individual choice conservatives? Let the employees choose if you believe in it.
Skrewedretiree
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:05pmThey CAN choose! If they are under a Catholic Church sponsored plan, they can quit and find a Liberal plan, even if they “claim” to be Catholic, that will accomodate their non-Catholic beliefs.
That is called CHOICE!
Too bad you Liberal Democrats won’t grant us Conservatives the same “choice”!
Report Post »alpha2omega47
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:46pmObama should be impeached. He is a liar, a fraud and an anti-American Marxist.
Report Post »olmon
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:39pmWhat part of ‘Separation of Church and State’ don’t those religious fanatics understand. There is no place in the Legislative, Judicial Or Executive mandates, laws & enforcement thereof for ANY particular religion’s ideology. Freedom of religion, the right for anyone to worship in any way they wish (as long as it doesn‘t interfere with another person’s right to ‘whatever’) is a part of the constitution. To allow the religious fanatics to have their ideology legislated as law or to deny all other persons because of their beliefs is a travesty and should not be allowed.
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on February 14, 2012 at 1:13amTo understand, is to understand the nuances of Freedom.
Report Post »tired_of_it2011
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:10pmMany of the diocese in the Catholic Church are self-insured. But, I guess Obama would have known that if he was really looking for a true compromise that wouldn’t offend our consciences. This issue is far from over. I pray that all Christian’s continue to unite on this issue regardless of theological tradition.
Report Post »Wilbur Longshank
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 7:20pmLooks like another case is on its way up the the SC. if the SC would just rule obamacare unconstitutional then all these other cases wouldn’t matter.
Nick_A
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:53pmContraceptives serve limited sexual concerns However, I know that sexual frustration is potentially unhealthy and also can lead to violence. Clearly Obamacare should provide relief through govt. inspected brothels featruring quality bodies free of charge. The cost to rid people of this unfortunate condition should be shared by all.
In other words, if I need a quickie, Michelle Obama should contibute as well as everyone else as they pay their Obamacare premiums. It relieves stress and serves the public good.
This is a progressive idea whose time has come.
Report Post »gingerbread
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:47pmMy problem with all of these people that are now “SHOCKED, SHOCKED” that this FAKE MESSIAH is taking away their freedom of religion? Where were they when he was running in 2008, and people were telling them that this is an EVIL MAN. And this “EVIL MAN” will turn around and stiff them, when he feels that he is strong enough to confront them? The old adage is still true, YOU CANNOT MAKE A BARGAIN WITH EVIL, EVEN IF THAT EVIL IS OFFERING YOU A BAIT, FOR YOU TO BITE IN TO. Evil will always get the best of the bargain.
Report Post »mildot rider
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:37pmThe Marxist filth still doesn’t get it. We WILL NOT be forced by a commie agenda and nazi mandates to anything. Read the Constitition! Get it? We will fight the Anti-christ to the very gates of hell.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:29pmObamas CoS believes that some obscure provision i the monster refered to as Obamacare gives them the right to orderr insurance companies, churches and private coorporarions to provide any medical service the administration deems necessary.
They truly don’t believe that the constitution applies because they got this mess passed by Fancy Nancy Pelosi and Hapless Harry Reed.
Just another example of what we must face if we reelect this bunch.
OMG
Report Post »EBL
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:29pm‘http://evilbloggerlady.blogspot.com/2012/02/separated-at-birth-creepy-couples.html
Did the White House feed contraception questions to George Stephanopoulos to use in the ABC sponsored GOP debate last month? What a coincidence!
Report Post »EBL
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:28pmDid the White House feed contraception questions to George Stephanopoulos to use in the ABC sponsored GOP debate last month? What a coincidence!
Report Post »biblestudyspacecom
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:24pmOpen Letter About Nazi Germany Rent Laws Against Christian Churches.
They still rent out the public facilities to Secular Organizations, but not Christian Churches or Jewish Synagogues.( Nazi Discrimination ) Many Christian leaders warned of impending Christian persecution from Gov. Cuomo when he called same-sex marriage opponents, Discriminatory and Anti-American. Gov. Cuomo who was instrumental in the state’s passage of same-sex marriage, was asked at a New York Times forum. Which arguments against same-sex marriage.
Gov. Cuomo said. “There is no answer from the opposition. It’s anti-New York, it’s Anti-American. Gov. Cuomo has effectively “declared Christians to be enemies of the state and nation.
Marching in the NY Gay Parade, with Pedophile Group NAMBLA.
Gov. Cuomo and Bloomberg marched in the Gay Pride Parade with the North American Man Boy Love Association,(Pedophiles Group). There is a Historical Connection between Pedophilia Group NAMBLA and the Gay Rights Movement.
The Nazi Germany Laws of Mayor Bloomberg and the New York Board of Education to ban religious use of schools on Sunday mornings or at other times the schools are otherwise unused—even though the churches rent the space, dropping an estimated several million dollars per year into the city cashbox.
Bible Study Space Network: Complaint to the New York City Commission on Human Rights
Report Post »http://www.nyc.gov/html/cchr/home.html Service Number is 1-1-726738000
TheHalfrican
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:18pmThe way to stop this is to have a clinic announce that they have found the gay gene. Then announce that they will perform abortions on suspected gay children. The lib‘s will blow a gasket when gay baby’s are the reason for an abortion !
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:11pmthe man IS a SOCIALIST he hates america HE desires to DICTATE what IS n what WILL BE in america.. DONT THINK SO.. evita obama tax n speech MUST BE IMPEACHED 25th amend NOW SAVE AMERICA
Report Post »Bobgood1
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 4:31pmThis is just the beginning of challenges to this Health Care Bill. It is loaded with such a big bureauacracy and complicated rules that they need 160,000 IRS agents to enforce the laws. That alone should tell you that is bringing us Socialism & thus, total control of or lives. (including Religion)
Report Post »walkintruth
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 4:29pmPeople have to understand that giving contraception as a insurance mandate is stupid. You can get the stuff in any drug store. Just remember that when they start rationing healthcare (and they will), they will simply tell you, “Well we pay for contraception. What more do you want?” What is more important for health? (contraceptives or actual healthcare that helps someone live?)
Remember Obama told the woman who asked about what he would do for her grandmother? He said that she was too old for surgery and that she should take a pill. I guess he thinks giving pills fixes things. But the pill he was probably talking about was to end her life. His stance was at a certain age, you shouldn’t spend the money on surgery.
I just don’t think contraception should be on the list for HEALTHCARE. It isn’t something that keeps you from getting sick. Why should the insurance company cover it? They don’t cover hearing aids or eye glasses. Those are things that would make someone’s life better and healthier. If you can’t see or hear you may get hurt. But birth control?
Let‘s not forget what he said about his daughter’s, if they got pregnant, he wouldn’t want them to be punished with a baby.
The other thing is, birth control pills do not stop the spread of disease. Wouldn’t it be better to just invest in condoms? It will cost more money when these women use the pill and not protect themselves from aids and other STD’s. That would be something healthcare could help with.
Report Post »John_The_Beloved
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 4:04pmThey need sue Bloomberg and NYC while they at. This is war on Christianity. Time to wake up.
Report Post »Kirby-man
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 4:49pmWake up and do what? Wait for the Supreme Court who could not find the Constitution if their lives depended on it let alone follow it? Wait for an election that is already in the bag for the Progressive Elites? Americans no longer have the stomach to do the right thing and put principle over comfort. We deserve all of the crap that is rolling downhill at us.
Report Post »tankyjo
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 3:52pmYES, we need to support Becket, ACLJ, and others like them. We can pray, we can hope, but these organizations spend millions to beat this crap back!
Report Post »JimL
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 3:52pmThe ENABLER STATE is jealous.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 3:28pmObama loves baby-killing and cannot comprehend that others find it morally reprehensible. Furthermore, Obama believes that he has the power to FORCE you to buy a product of his choosing.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 3:15pmObama’s “accomodation” is not one. Forcing the insurance company the religious org. uses to provide contraception is not an accomodation. It is a shell game.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 2:42pmGood luck and God blessing on the case; be ready for Obama to come down on you with force.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 2:57pmI just looked at the Constitution to find out where Barry got his authority to tell a private insurance company they have to provide goods or services for free. Of course it is not there.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on February 13, 2012 at 3:15pmUR late 4 the Obama party.
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