I think
the government should stay out of religious affairs because all it does is
cause controversy and disagreements among the government and its people. The first
amendment of our constitution is freedom of religion and there is a reason for
that. Each person has their own way of believing what they do and their own way
of expressing what they believe. Expressing ones religion is an important
aspect of human life and people are passionate about it. When certain beliefs
are forced upon people, disputes will arise and continue to arise until
eventually people start to rebel.
A few
weeks ago the Health and Human Services and the Obama Administration passed a
new law that stated employers and health care providers would be forced to
provide preventive services for women such as birth control, voluntary sterilization,
and contraceptives. Bishop Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB (United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops) states in Conscience Protection, “Never
before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go
out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This
shouldn't happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the
Bill of Rights." This new law is a direct hit on our religious freedoms. It
not only affects Catholics but also goes against several other denominations’ beliefs.
In the
past, the government has made exemptions to laws that they’ve made that have
gone against peoples’ consciences. "The Amish do not carry health insurance. The government respects their
principles. Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new
health-care reform law respects that. Quakers and others object to killing even
in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious
objectors.” Archbishop Dolan of NYC.
In my opinion democracy should not
be involved with religion whatsoever. Freedom of religion isn’t really free if the
government is regulating it. If the government can exempt certain groups from
the law because it violates their conscience, why can’t they do that now?
I think that this is a very important topic to write about, however I am addressing it from a non religious stance. I, like Emily, do not agree with the passing of this law. For one, a woman's choice to have sex is just that-a choice. Why should their faults be the burden of employers? It is the responsibility of the individual to take care of potential consequences, by no means is it an employers'. It is like saying that employers must provide nicotine patches and gum to their employees who engage in harmful smoking. I interpret this law as a heavy over breach of government intervention.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that government needs to stay out of religious issues. There is a time and place for the government intervening in religious issues, such as when the religion is causing violence or harm to others. But when it comes to the case of birth control, the government should have no say in whether or not it should be provided in businesses. There are establishments specifically made to hand out birth control, it is not the role of a business. It is not the business's responsibility to provide birth control for its workers. That is a personal and moral decision that can only be made by an individual, not the government.
ReplyDeleteTo precede my written thoughts, this is me coming from the “other side” and playing devil’s advocate. Just a different perspective and definitely not a personal attack.
ReplyDeleteFrom the brief reading up I have done on this new law, it sounds like it is just a tool that provides these options, such as, birth control, voluntary sterilization, and contraceptives, however, doesn’t force them to be used. The law merely creates an extension to health care plans, and provides an option to workers that if they choose to use such medication/procedures, they can be covered by health insurance through their workplace.
I think the most important part of this issue for people to understand is that one’s religion is just that, one’s own religion. The ties made between a person and their faith shouldn’t be affected by this law because it is not a requirement at all that one accepts the offer of such substances or procedures. The only reason it would affect individuals would be if they decided themselves to use what was being offered. It involves the practice of self-control and personal responsibility. Though something is being offered, the taking is up to the person themselves.