PPACA and the Catholic temper tantrum.

[djv8ga]

Is the Catholic church OK with fertility drugs?

[merrylander]

We have even had catholic druggists claim that filling a BC prescription violates their beliefs. If you don't want to serve the public then don't open a public business. BTW I happen to be married to a (former*) catholic who has told me of some of the less pleasant details of being educated by nuns. They nearly had a cow when they caught her reading Sigmund Froid in sixth grade geography class.

*Former because both of us have given up on organized religion. Her church would not marry us and St. Paul's would not let us renew our vows in the American Chapel because I was divorced. Did not seem to stop Charles and the rotweiler.

[finnbow]

Watching the GOP jump all over this issue like a bunch of sanctimonious prudes is indeed amusing. I guess they need to change the subject about the economy as things seem to be getting better now. Time to rev up the culture wars.

[merrylander]

If Newt keeps up the ranting he will probably have a stroke.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by merrylander

If Newt keeps up the ranting he will probably have a stroke.

Maybe I should send him an email, insulting and challenging all of his most deeply held convictions. Get him all fired up.........One last time....

Dave

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Maybe I should send him an email, insulting and challenging all of his most deeply held convictions. Get him all fired up.........One last time....

Dave

Newt has deeply held convictions? Who knew.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Newt has deeply held convictions? Who knew.

Of course he does. They just shift a little, depending on whose vote he's trying to get this week.

Dave

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by barbara

The bottom line here is that if they are doing business, such as a hospital, and likely receiving federal funding of some sort, then they are supposed to be held to all the same federal regulations as any other organization receiving federal funding. And, that includes providing birth control in the health plans offered to employees, some who, by the way, might not even be catholic.

When one applies reasoning like that, it puts to lie the argument that the President is engaged in an attack on religion.

Regards,

D=Ray

[barbara]

Dave and DRay, I work with federal funding (yes, I'm one of those people who spend your hard earned tax dollars) and I can remember the public outcry when Bush pushed faith based social programs. Fact is, organized religions, not just the Catholics, have been receiving federal funding for decades for various reasons and they have the same rules as any other organization that accepts federal funds.
This whole issue is simply being blown up for the sake of politics. That people get caught up in it is an indicator of how easy it is to sway the masses. (pun not intentional).

[d-ray657]

Many people much smarter than I am have struggled with the application and limits of the First Amendment. Does the First Amendment apply only when religion stays in its place? What is its place? Don non-abridgement mean special treatment?

For this issue, I land in pretty much the same place as you, Barbara. In providing medical care, or running a research university, or a publishing house, churches are competing in the marketplace with secular institutions. I do not believe that the First Amendment means that religious institutions should have an advantage in the secular marketplace.

Regards,

D-Ray