Md. Catholics Embark on 100-Mile Walk to Protest Birth Control Coverage

July 31, 2012

  • July 31, 2012 at 1:35 pm
    googlegal says:
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    • August 2, 2012 at 11:52 am
      Judy Dudich says:
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      We are being forced by being mandated to take an implicit part (i.e. including contraceptives, abortificients, and sterilization services) in our private health care packages when these things are contradictory to our religious belief. Further students and employees are then forced to have these things included in their health care when they purchase it, as well. The Catholic Church is not denying anyone’s choice to take or not take … to buy or not buy…these products and services…It is saying that the Federal Govt does not have a right to usurp the religious freedom and expression of schools, institutions, and businesses, who, by their beliefs, do not want to offer/provide or have any part (even implicitly) in the dispensing of these things to others. The Constitution of the USA protects the religious liberty and freedom of expression of its citizens through the First Amendment and the Government is denying that.

      • August 2, 2012 at 4:06 pm
        BS says:
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        • August 3, 2012 at 4:36 pm
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      • August 2, 2012 at 4:23 pm
        googlegal says:
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        • August 2, 2012 at 4:40 pm
          googlegal says:
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  • July 31, 2012 at 1:40 pm
    NotOpiniated says:
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    You’re right….times have changed and I agree with you …even so, I am even cautious about tapping out a response…..but I think the term pirvate insurance plans…would include any insurance plans that they (Catholic Church) offer to their employees…..They still have the employer contribution.

  • July 31, 2012 at 1:46 pm
    thebiggerlebowski says:
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    Cue the Catholic haters in 3…2…1…

    The government is FORCING Catholics to fund a specific “obligation” which is against Catholic teaching. This forces Catholics to cooperate in what our faith teaches is an extrinsic evil, which is the separation of the material (the pleasure of the sexual act) from the spiritual (the purpose of conjugal love). I realize that to a non-Catholic or fallen-away Catholic, that may make no sense. But at least try to learn why the forced funding of contraception is offensive to Catholics and a violation of our core beliefs, before attacking us. Your artificial dichotomy between forcing us to pay for it versus forcing us to “take” it is a non-sequitur.

    As Catholics we respect your right to pay for yourself or others to contracept. We simply ask that the government respect OUR right NOT to do so. That’s really not so much to ask. What happens when the government forces you to pay for something you believe is offensive?

    • July 31, 2012 at 2:24 pm
      CalDude says:
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    • July 31, 2012 at 2:48 pm
      Jon says:
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      • July 31, 2012 at 3:18 pm
        Jon says:
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        • August 7, 2012 at 4:02 pm
          MI INS GUY says:
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          • August 7, 2012 at 6:31 pm
            Jon says:
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    • August 2, 2012 at 3:38 pm
      Jon says:
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    • August 6, 2012 at 2:02 pm
      RGM says:
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      GOD Bless you my friend! I’m Christian Catholic, we are.

  • July 31, 2012 at 1:50 pm
    Really? says:
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  • July 31, 2012 at 1:59 pm
    Sam Meek says:
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    I agree with Lebowski. What the government is trying to do is patently unconstitutional. Catholics have a right to practice their faith, publicly and privately. This is an unnecessary and unconstitutional violation of that right. Remember what the First Amendment actually says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Although I am not Catholic, I can appreciate the affront my Catholic brothers and sisters are feeling when the government tells them they HAVE to pay for something that is so totally against the practice of their faith.

    And I agree that this board brings out the worst in non-Catholics and those that hate Catholics. Let’s try to keep this nice and professional, eh?

    • July 31, 2012 at 5:11 pm
      Jon says:
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      How, exactly, is this unconsitutional?

      No one’s saying you can’t be a practising Catholic.

      They’re not barring church doors and making the religion illegal.

  • July 31, 2012 at 2:16 pm
    DS says:
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    I’m a Catholic, but these are the types of things that frustrate me about my religion.

    Just because a plan has to COVER birth control, does not mean that those members covered on the plan have to TAKE birth control. Therefore I don’t see it as an infringement on religious freedoms.

    Also, note that contraception is typically covered right now on almost all medical plans, but with a copay. The only difference is that it will have to be covered with no copay now. Not much different.

    There are MUCH more important things that the Church could throw their energy behind!

    • August 7, 2012 at 4:12 pm
      MI INS GUY says:
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      No true my catholic friend!
      The argument is about the FREEDOM as a religious organization to say no to the federal government. The church fathers have every right to lead the fight under separation of church and state. Sadly, this to often gets ignored by the lax values of my fellow catholics in the pews each Sunday. Were too busy thinking about my next car, vacation, et cetera to care about moral dilemmas. Time to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

      • August 7, 2012 at 6:33 pm
        Jon says:
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        • August 8, 2012 at 10:32 am
          thebiggerlebowski says:
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          Your attacks on Catholics on this board are painful and unnecessary, Jon. The issue is whether the government can force a religious institution to violate its teachings, and rather than respond in a thoughtful and logical manner you drag out every issue you can layyour hands on to support an irrational arguement that the Church lacks the moral ground to raise a Constitutional issue. You would gladly deny to the Church the rights given to murderers. That’s where the hatred comes in. We’re quite sick to death of the ad hominum and ad institutional attacks. Try sticking to the issue.

          • August 8, 2012 at 11:15 am
            Libby says:
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          • August 8, 2012 at 11:32 am
            Sam Meek says:
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            Re: Libby >> As you point out, they do have free will to violate their faith. But requiring the Church to *fund* that choice and “pass the cost on to the employee” 1) would require co-employees to fund their colleagues’ actions, and 2) would still entail the Church’s cooperation with what it believes to be an intrinsic evil. As an aside, passing on the cost misses the entire point of the mandate.

          • August 8, 2012 at 12:41 pm
            libby says:
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          • August 9, 2012 at 5:06 pm
            Jon says:
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          • August 9, 2012 at 6:33 pm
            BS says:
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  • July 31, 2012 at 2:25 pm
    googlegal says:
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    • July 31, 2012 at 3:22 pm
      AlsoOffended says:
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      First, I’m not sure what your “P.S” comment has to do with this topic.

      Second, while I don’t think it’s denying religious freedom by requiring birth control coverage specifically, I do think the bigger issue is that the government is putting a restriction or requirement on a religous organization. To some, this is a small issue, but a stand is needed now to prevent larger, more invasive “requirements” in the future. I think the government is stepping over its bounds on this one.

      And yes, I would rather fund the unwanted children, than fund someones “right” to ignore any consequences and to partake in any activity I find biblically wrong. By that I don’t mean I find contraception wrong, but using it to validate sexual activity out of wedlock is. Maybe the money being wasted by the government trying to force this issue should go towards that fund.

      Or we could add an addendum – if this is required, then the church is provided a list of those who partake of the benefit? Maybe you would think twice if you had to look your religious leader in the eye every week knowing he knows…

    • August 2, 2012 at 5:15 pm
      insurance is fun! says:
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  • July 31, 2012 at 3:02 pm
    BS says:
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    As far as I’m concerned, any religion that spends more time condemning it’s nuns for not being obedient enough, than punishing it’s priests for preying on young children loses the right to claim any kind of moral authority.

  • July 31, 2012 at 5:08 pm
    Ruminator says:
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    The government needs to stay out of private health care facilities and programs of all types.

    • July 31, 2012 at 5:18 pm
      Jon says:
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  • August 1, 2012 at 8:14 am
    Little Frog says:
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    All of these posts togather is a great illustration of why “we” cannot even agree on the color of poop these days. I’m not Catholic and I don’t need to be, to understand that our Federal Govt has no right role or purpose to demand that a religeous organization subsidize a voluntary activity that is contrary to their beliefs. That is the issue to be decided here. Also, as horiffic as the abuse scandles and crimes are; they really have nothing to do with THIS debate.

    By the way Jon; at one time, the US SUPREME Court also ruled that not only were slaves who had escaped to “free” states still property, but could be forcibly returned to their owners.

    • August 2, 2012 at 2:54 pm
      Jon says:
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    • August 2, 2012 at 4:37 pm
      BS says:
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  • August 2, 2012 at 1:54 pm
    insurance is fun! says:
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  • August 2, 2012 at 2:07 pm
    Two way street says:
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    Since religious institutions are part of the economy and are frequently taking advantage of government largess – faith based charities collecting government funds, receiving income tax breaks, etc. – they should be subject to the same rules as others in operating in the economy.

    If those religious institutions wish to give up all of their subsidies, tax abatements, and other government payments, I would not have an objection to them creating health insurance plans that fit their moral beliefs. If they do, the added tax revenues (including revenues from taxes for failing to provide the required health services) would cover the increased costs for society to provide those services that they believe conflict with their beliefs.

    Unless and until churches and other religious groups give up their government benefits and subsidies (including tax breaks), I have no sympathy for their plight. It is a two way street. If you take from the government, you have to play by its rules.

  • August 6, 2012 at 10:09 am
    LiveFree says:
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    • August 6, 2012 at 10:36 am
      Jon says:
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      • August 6, 2012 at 4:59 pm
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        • August 7, 2012 at 8:18 am
          Libby says:
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          • August 7, 2012 at 9:04 am
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  • August 9, 2012 at 1:46 pm
    Bob says:
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    • August 9, 2012 at 2:32 pm
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    • August 13, 2012 at 1:26 pm
      Libby says:
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      • August 16, 2012 at 1:53 pm
        Bob says:
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        Libby,
        You are correct as we are no longer a free nation but rather a socilist state. What a shame!



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