I'm not a political blogger. Lots of great folks like Creative Minority Report and American Papist do fine jobs tackling that sphere. There are a lot of issues I care about as a mother and a Catholic and a citizen, but far wiser, sharper and wittier minds than I are already on it.
So I just read them and then share on Facebook.
But.
President Obama's HHS Mandate is such an overwhelming assault on religious liberty in our supposedly free country that I couldn't keep my big mouth shut any longer.
The US Bishops have nicely outlined the big problem with this bill that some Catholics actually *helped* lobby into existence (not this one. but, of course, charity dictates that noone say Itoldyouso.). However, the mandated, no exception policy to provide contraception, sterilization and abortion for employees of even religious institutions is in direct violation of what the Catholic Church teaches and throws the President's previous supporters directly under the proverbial bus.
However, despite how some might try to paint this political battle, it is not. about. the. pill. Regardless of your personal feelings on contraception and abortion, this issue goes to the very heart about what it means to be American. Can the government force religious institutions and individuals to violate their consciences for compliance with governmental policies?
If the answer is yes, well. This country is no longer the America dreamed by the Founding Fathers and expounded upon in our founding documents. And, it will be a first step to taking away other religious liberties, from other religious groups. In fact, this is so indeed the case that Jewish and Protestant leaders have vocalized their opposition to the HHS Mandate along side Catholics, and they have no ball in the contraception game. However, they very clearly recognize the wide scope threat this poses to religious freedom in our country.
Furthermore, the Executive Branch has used this ugly situation to further supress constitutional liberties when he, through the Chief of the Army, ordered military chaplains to remain silent about the HHS Mandate and the letter given to them to read by Archbishop Timothy because it was seen as "encouraging sedition."
Well, if that isn't a call to arms. Insert eyeroll here.
Furthermore, the Executive Branch has used this ugly situation to further supress constitutional liberties when he, through the Chief of the Army, ordered military chaplains to remain silent about the HHS Mandate and the letter given to them to read by Archbishop Timothy because it was seen as "encouraging sedition."
The "dangerous phrase?"
the Church "cannot-and will not-comply with this unjust law."
Thus, I felt compelled to speak about this. The President has, for the first time in American history to date, set himself directly against the Catholic Church in this country.
We will not be bullied. We will not comply with unjust laws. And we will not rest until the freedoms of all Americans have been protected.
And, no offense, Mr. President? But the Church cut her baby teeth on Nero, Diocletian and the like. Just sayin'.
We will not be bullied. We will not comply with unjust laws. And we will not rest until the freedoms of all Americans have been protected.
And, no offense, Mr. President? But the Church cut her baby teeth on Nero, Diocletian and the like. Just sayin'.
Persecution is how we roll best, baby.
Beautiful.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteLOVE "Persecution is how we roll best, baby" Priceless
ReplyDeleteheh heh, thanks
DeleteOK, I just wish everyone would read this post. You are too smart AND funny.
ReplyDeleteaww thanks. share on FB and more people will :-p
DeleteI love and adore this post for so many reasons. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - first time on your blog. Excellent and insightful post.
ReplyDeleteLove it! And what a great ending. Republics for 2,000 years have been trying to suppress the Catholic voice. But in America, the "Republic for which we stand" was supposed to be something different. *Sigh*
ReplyDeleteLove the post, Lina. I just wonder what the Church in the form of the American bishops will be willing to do at the end of the year. And what they should do. I'm very much along the lines of giving the government a taste of "a day without a Catholic", but people would die without Catholic services, and a relative of mine pointed out that the Catholic Church relies heavily on being to the governments good graces to get stuff done. Plus, I don't think the bishops have the backbone for it, though I have been wonderfully surprised at how firmly they have stood up on this.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and wonderfully said!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, as a Catholic and a lawyer, the HHS ruling seems at first glance to be disturbing. However, since 28 states already mandate such coverage (without the religious exemption provided in the original HHS provision), and 77% percent of Catholic lawschools already provide such coverage and , if recent stastistics are reliable, 98% of Catholic women either approve or use contraception, I fear much of the outrage is politically motivated or the bishops were asleep at the switch, again (see:sex abuse).
ReplyDeletealso, saying the insurance must provide coverage intrudes on no one's belief. If you don't believe in contraception, abortion ,et al don't avail yourself of the coverage.
firstly, saying insurance must provide coverage DOES intrude on beliefs when someone who doesn't believe in contraception/sterilization/abortion has to pay for it.
Delete2ndly, it doesn't matter how many catholics women are following vs not following, its against church teaching. not to mention those stats suck. they include women who EVER used it at ANY point in their lives (ie. includes people who have now accepted church teaching or had a sinful past) AND includes NFP users. which is NOT contraception.
as for bishops being asleep, that could indeed be so. but now? they're awake and they're going to fix it.
and, i for one, am going to support them :)
How about the compromise? That the insurance companies must pick up the tab?
ReplyDeleteits terrible. a word game, semantics issue. the insurance companies don't give things away for free, so the cost will be passed on to the people PAYING for the insurance, ie the religious organizations. the money for the immoral things are still coming out of the same pocket.
Deletehttp://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-chaput-blasts-administrations-insulting-mandate-revision/
From what I've read, there are conflicting points of view as to who will foot the bill. One was addressed in your comment. Another says that due to the medical costs of actually having children, policies with contraceptives are at best cheaper, and at worst no more expensive than policies without contraceptives. A third says that all (not just religious institutions) who buy insurance from a specific insurance company will pay higher premiums to offset the cost. I'm sure people on various sides of the debate are skewing figures to support their claim, but those are the responses to "Who will foot the bill?" that I've seen.
DeleteAs for intruding on beliefs, do you feel that American Muslim and Hindu taxpayers are being fairly treated when some of their tax dollars are going to government subsidies of the pork and beef industries respectively, and then their kids are offered those foods at public schools?