Catholic church and contraception

[ktheodos]

So...there's been a lot of talk about the requirement/1 year waiver for the Catholic church to require contraceptions.....thoughts??

[constance312003]

The government has over stepped its bounds and should not require this of the Catholic Church.  Just signed a petition to be sent to the President.  The Goverment is not in charge of the Church.  I feel it is another step in the wrong direction and America has forgotten its roots.

[scollontrade]

This law is about a lot more than contraceptives. All religions should be worried. This is an attack on freedom of religion. What if the department of agriculture required Jewish Delis or Arab restaurants to handle pork because they were not offering equally to all their customers?

[mary_k]

I have not heard of this but I think it is really silly.

[healthfreedom]

In America, no religious institution should be forced by the goverment to observe such nonsense issues and practices. This is America, not Russia.

[jordandog]

So...there's been a lot of talk about the requirement/1 year waiver for the Catholic church to require contraceptions.....thoughts??

It is misinformation/misreading of what laws and/or provisions like this one that make me absolutely crazy! Nowhere does it state that the Catholic churches and diocese(s) will be required to 'force' contraception on any Catholics, period, only that it be included in their insurance plan at no cost. What it does state is this:
*Nobody is, in any way, obligated to acquire or use contraceptive devices. The regulation applies only to what insurance companies must offer and NOT who must take advantage of the benefit. Thus, if your religious belief bars you from using contraception, then nothing will get in the way of you and your religious beliefs. You may have the benefit available to you in your insurance coverage, but nothing is going to require you to take advantage of the benefit. That is far, far removed from what you said and YOUR interpretation of the new provisions!
*The law does not require medical care providers ie ME to prescribe contraceptives to anyone who does NOT want it, period. If the religious belief of a physician or other health care provider is such that they do not believe in contraception for religious reasons, nothing in the law or the regulations would require me or any other to prescribe a contraceptive device.

Why is it sooooo unthinkable to include free contraception to be included as a benefit in any insurance plan?! Do you even realize that it's perfectly hunky-dory and acceptable for Catholic males to fill prescriptions for *bleep* or any type of male E.D. drugs? Your [convenient] 'rewording' of the future provisions is exactly how misinformation starts and then grows like a heavily fanned fire. Everyone is running to bury their heads from the truth because it is far more 'uniting', in the sickest way possible, to use scare tactics and especially when it involves the uber powerful Catholic Machine et al.

[lorettahknox]

If you accept government funds and protection you come under their jurisdiction. The Church cannot have it both ways. If you enjoy the benefits you have to obey the laws. There was a time when they would have been kept exempt from such things but they lost their credibility with these horrendous sexual abuse scandals. No one trusts or believes them anymore. They look like common criminals.

[ladavia89]

There are plenty of laws that are based on Christian values than impend on the rights of others but no one seems to have a problem with that.

The law would require that it would be available. If you don't believe in using it then you don't have to use it. It's your right to choose not to use contraception just like it it the right of others to have it available for their use

[GramPolly3]

Jourdandog, thanks for pointing out what the real statement says. We are so easily misled by the idealogues who want to turn this issue to their advantage and not be truthful. That includes politicians, churches and the main stream media. It is a shame that people don't take the time to educate themselves before jumping on one bandwagon or another.

[bowrunner]

The Catholic Church would not have to offer contraceptive insurance to their employees etc. as long as they had an exemption that would require them to only serve Catholics.  How's that going to work for hospitals, schools, universities etc?  This government is out of control and they thought they could slip this one through but it's not going to work.  If they get this one it won't be long before it affects all religions and just about everything else.  Another power grab by this government.

[dreamyxo]

What is so out of control about making insurance companies cover contraception when they already cover *bleep*? What sense does that make? America can be so damn backwards when it comes to certain things it's not even funny.  

Many Catholic Universities, Hospitals Already Cover Contraception In Their Health Insurance Plans

Catholic leaders and the GOP presidential candidates have intentionally distorted the Obama administration’s new rule requiring employers and insurers to provide reproductive health benefits at no additional cost sharing. Conservatives are seeking a way to politically unite Republican voters around a social issue and portray the regulation as a big government intrusion into religious liberties. In reality, the mandate is modeled on existing rules in six states, exempts houses of worship and other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of faith, and offers employers a transitional period of one year to determine how best to comply with the rule.

It’s also nothing new. Twenty-eight states already require organizations that offer prescription insurance to cover contraception and since 98 percent of Catholic women use birth control, many Catholic institutions offer the benefit to their employees. For instance, a Georgetown University spokesperson told ThinkProgress yesterday that employees “have access to health insurance plans offered and designed by national providers to a national pool. These plans include coverage for birth control.”

[kapeh12]

The way I look at it is another example of the federal government trampling on state's rights.  This is just the latest implementation of Obamacare coming into practice.  Traditionally, licensing and insurance decisions are state issues and state regulated.  Obama completely crossed that line with this legislation and stomped on all states taking away this right with regard to regulations on healthcare.

The danger, is with this precedent - what's next?

Just because people may think this is a good idea, and can't understand why some would be opposed to adding this to their health insurance policies - the real question is, is it the federal government's place to mandate such a regulation?  In my opinion - no it is not.

[sigmapi1501]

Lol I think I am just as dumb for reading the posts in this forum as the people who post them. I KNOW I am dumber than the people that post in this forum for letting their stupidity get me angry.

[ktheodos]

I definitely think it's being blown up as an issue

[froggylover227]

Since when can church and state mix? I always thought there was a seperation between the two! Catholic schools can't get goverment funding but now all of a sudden the government wants to step in regarding contraceptions...something the church has never really been a big fan of?