No, it's not a new role-playing game. I'm sure everyone's heard about the Obama administration's new rule that would require religious-affiliated hospitals & universities to offer contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans, and that the Catholic leaders are saying that this is an attack on their basic beliefs and religious freedom.

Opinions? I'll hold off commenting until some others have had a chance.

In the case where religious freedoms come into conflict with other rights, the concept of reasonable accommodation could be applied.

Here the conflict is between the rights of women to control their own bodies and the churches right to religious freedom.

The fact that there is a very real social need for contraceptive, considering teen pregnancy rates and social injustices such as abortion when used as birth control. Further, there is a social need for contraceptive prophylactics identified by STD rates.

I'm not sure how far reasonable accommodation of religious freedom should be allowed to infringe on women's rights. It's not as though they are being asked to pass out communion condoms.

If there was a justifiable reason to limit women's rights, then it could be done, however, by definition of faith, there is no reasonable justification.

Here, there is a debate about muslim women's head gear. Applications have been made to accommodate hijab and niqab. There are cases where government agencies have been told to make reasonable accommodation to allow employees to wear the hijab.

In the case of the niqab, it is not reasonable to conceal the entire face, since there is a real need to identify people, our basic human need to determine a persons motives, honesty and intentions by observing their faces. Further the right of the accused in court cases to face thier accusers trumps the right of religious expression and therefore accommodating the niqab is not reasonable.

Of course you forget that an employer has no reason to provide insurance at all. So, yeah.

Posted by jeepdave Of course you forget that an employer has no reason to provide insurance at all. So, yeah.

There are plenty of reasons to provide benefits. That's why so many employers do.

Posted by jeepdave Of course you forget that an employer has no reason to provide insurance at all. So, yeah.

I KNEW you were gonna say that!

The issue I had was that opposing contraception isn't exactly a CORE tenet of Catholicism, is it? NPR cited a poll that said 98 percent of Catholic women polled used contraception at some point in their lives, so even though it may be one of their beliefs, it obviously isn't a core belief.

Also, in no way is anyone being required to use contraception. It doesn't change or infringe on the church's belief at all.

I don't understand the hubbub they're making out of it, unless the purpose is to demonstrate that Obama is waging war on religion.

Posted by splumer ...even though it may be one of their beliefs, it obviously isn't a core belief. Also, in no way is anyone being required to use contraception. It doesn't change or infringe on the church's belief at all.

Trust me, it is a core belief. Thought it may not be followed very well, as you said, it's pounded into one's head like you wouldn't believe. They don't require anyone to not use contraception, but they are indeed strongly against it.

Sources: being told not to use contraception for six years at a Catholic school, even though I'm not Catholic and actually support contraception.

Posted by splumer I don't understand the hubbub they're making out of it, unless the purpose is to demonstrate that Obama is waging war on religion.

the fucking right is trying to make obama out to be the great satan.
its the same old same old.

Our constitution says nothing about sexual rights, but clearly states there should be no state sponsored religion. These attacks on all other religions amount to a state sponsored secular religion where other religious beliefs that have been held for thousands of years are disregarded and forcibly replaced with government mandates and laws. Men and women have the right not to have sex, or to have safe sex, the government shouldn't be mandating anyone to provide sexual related services by any church or business. If companies want to provide them for their employees they will do so, they should be FREE to make that choice themselves. Employees also have the right to go find another job if they don't like their benefits.

I wouldn't consider the uber-liberal NPR quoting a poll that is for forcing Catholics, insurance companies and others to provide sexual services as particularly unbiased. I highly doubt 98% of catholics would support this measure even if they themselves have wrapped it up. I'm against the government putting their filthy hands on anything not mandated by our Constitution. Individual freedom of choice, and responsibility, needs to be protected.

As far as obama being the great satan, there's no question that he's a socialist ... but its not even about him and being a socialist doesnt make him a bad person. This is the entire government coming down on individuals rights, not one person. I dont agree with most of what obama stands for since i'm not a liberal extremist but folks need to focus less on him and more on everyone else passing this crap! He's just a figurehead. He gets the credit when other people do good (like killing bin laden) and takes the crap when they screw up, like forcing people to do things that violate their beliefs.

Posted by MrGreenJeans As far as obama being the great satan, there's no question that he's a socialist

He would rather be regarded as a conservative in most of Europe... surely not as a socialist ;)

Posted by splumer No, it's not a new role-playing game. I'm sure everyone's heard about the Obama administration's new rule that would require religious-affiliated hospitals & universities to offer contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans, and that the Catholic leaders are saying that this is an attack on their basic beliefs and religious freedom. Opinions? I'll hold off commenting until some others have had a chance.

Speak for yourself, sir.

...and maybe you could expend a bit on just what, exactly, all is involved with these so-called religious-affiliated etc. etc. etc.'s.

In other words, they(religious affiliations etc.) get federal tax blah money blah blah...meaning that oh forget it.

You want a no tax status? Slip on a raincoat.

The only thing for certain is that there is nothing in the Bible about Catholics not offering contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans.

If Catholics don't want to use contraceptives, then yay for them, that is their choice, and I am all for choice.

Posted by MrGreenJeans Our constitution says nothing about sexual rights, but clearly states there should be no state sponsored religion. These attacks on all other religions amount to a state sponsored secular religion where other religious beliefs that have been held for thousands of years are disregarded and forcibly replaced with government mandates and laws.

lol

If you don't want to get pregnant then go to the store or your doctors office and spend a couple bucks for some contraceptives, or just keep your legs closed. Simple as that.

lol back at ya sexy

Posted by MrGreenJeans As far as obama being the great satan, there's no question that he's a socialist

do you even know what that means?
you don't, do you? Not without looking it up. This is shit I hear over and over and over since 2009 from every talking head on Faux News. Gasp! Obama's a socialist! You dolt.
Here's the definition of a socialist:

"Socialism- a system or theory of social organization in which the producers possess both political power and production and distribution means."

Yeah that's our government all right... NOT. Once again, more talking points from a guy named after a creepy character on a kids show.

oh and you too can find this definition on the same page of the dictionary (that's the big book with lots 'o words in it) as sodomy so you can be informed and entertained.

Posted by Samurai do you even know what that means? you don't, do you? Not without looking it up. This is shit I hear over and over and over since 2009 from every talking head on Faux News. Gasp! Obama's a socialist! You dolt. Here's the definition of a socialist: "Socialism- a system or theory of social organization in which the producers possess both political power and production and distribution means." Yeah that's our government all right... NOT. Once again, more talking points from a guy named after a creepy character on a kids show. oh and you too can find this definition on the same page of the dictionary (that's the big book with lots 'o words in it) as sodomy so you can be informed and entertained.

Sam, when public money goes to private causes you can make the argument that is socialist. And that makes even Bush one. I don't think Barry is bad because he has socialist ideas, I just think socialist ideas are bad.

Posted by Samurai Here's the definition of a socialist: "Socialism- a system or theory of social organization in which the producers possess both political power and production and distribution means."

Wait a sec, how is that so much different than what we have now under corporations and state?

Posted by earthworm Wait a sec, how is that so much different than what we have now under corporations and state?

Corporations are not government.
Goverment is not a corporation.

do you need a pop-up book, too?

you want an example of true socialism in our hemisphere, Venezuela... nationalizing of the oil industry. That would be the simplest example.
Now, name one thing that would be that here?
Exactly.

Posted by Samurai Corporations are not government. Goverment is not a corporation.

Oh, that's so cute.

Posted by MutantMandias Oh, that's so cute.

thank you so very much, king of the cuddlies.

Posted by Samurai Corporations are not government. Goverment is not a corporation.

...yeah, no.