Hell would officially freeze over.

The Federal District Court judge’s ruling states “Plaintiff has shown that abiding by the mandate will substantially burden his exercise of religion”. So the score is now 1-1.

Looks like this will have to go to a higher court before Zach and the rest of the totalitarians can exult over stomping their jackboots on free exercise of religion.

Actually, no, Zachriel. Insurance companies cover the cost of contraceptives because it’s a whole bunch cheaper than covering the cost of births. That’s also the reason many insurance policies cover abortion, too. If they weren’t making or saving a dime they wouldn’t touch either with a ten-foot pole, and would be fighting the “mandate” (more of a proclamation than a “mandate”) tooth and tong.

And if you truly believe they altruistically offer contraceptives “because it’s important to health,” then I feel sorry for you, like I’d feel sorry for a dog with three legs – you’re missing something.

Tom the Redhunter: No one who opposes contraception wants to make it illegal for everyone.

That is much too broad a statement. Though a minority, some people would clearly make contraceptives illegal if they could.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/01/03/396516/santorum-states-should-have-the-right-to-outlaw-birth-control/

Tom the Redhunter: Obama, on the other hand, insists on imposing his morals (such as they are) on everyone else.

No one has to use contraception, though nearly all women in the U.S. have used contraception at one time or another.

Tom the Redhunter: And if he behaves in this way now, just wait for what’s to come! Now he won’t have to worry about reelection, and will do what he pleases.

Obama will leave office when his term expires.

Tom the Redhunter: It’s pretty well insane that contraception is even covered in the first place …

Private insurance generally covers contraception. That’s because it’s important to health, and because it’s something most people want.

Let’s be blunt; Obama deliberately picked a fight with the Catholic church so that he could show everyone who was boss. He did it to demonstrate raw power and to smack down anyone who dares to object.

And if he behaves in this way now, just wait for what’s to come! Now he won’t have to worry about reelection, and will do what he pleases. And the liberals thought W “shredded the Constitution!”

It’s pretty well insane that contraception is even covered in the first place (outside of a few narrow pure medical reasons), much less that it’s a mandate, but we live in an insane world where a spoiled brat from Georgetown can whine about the cost of birth control before the Congress, and she’s actually not laughed out of town.

And, after four years of having the Smartest-Man-in-the-World as president, it’s not always (or, in his case, ever) possible with ideological absolutes.

OldTexan: This a back against the wall situation that will start to play out and neither you nor I have to agree about the facts since this is a faith thing which comes down to a personal decision of the family.

The facts are the facts. Does emergency contraception cause the loss of a fertilized egg? According to the latest research, emergency contraception is ineffective after ovulation. That means it doesn’t cause the loss of a fertilized egg.

If emergency contraception caused the loss of a fertilized egg, then some might consider that immoral. Others consider all contraception to be immoral. The law should try to accommodate sincere religious objections, but laws can’t be beholden to any and all religious objections, as explained above.

”Can a man excuse his practices to the contrary because of his religious belief? To permit this would be to make the professed doctrines of religious belief superior to the law of the land, and in effect to permit every citizen to become a law unto himself.”

The American people have twice elected a president who supports comprehensive and universal health care. In the U.S. system, for historical reasons, most people have their insurance through their employers. Normally, it would be up to the individual to decide whether to avail themselves of the contraceptive benefit. The suggested alternative is to leave it up to the employer to decide on behalf of all their employees.

So we have a legitimate secular purpose on the one hand, and some who object on religious grounds. Compromise seems the reasonable course, but that’s not always possible with religious beliefs.

ST: Have a little patience.

Your moderation has been more than fair and responsive. Just thought you may have missed it, as the delay was longer than usual. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

And that is the rub, this has to do with the practice of religion and following their religious conscious. This a back against the wall situation that will start to play out and neither you nor I have to agree about the facts since this is a faith thing which comes down to a personal decision of the family.

Novikova et al., Effectiveness of levonorgestrel emergency contraception given before or after ovulation–a pilot study, Contraception 2007.

Noé et al, Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation, Contraception 2011.

OldTexan: To the family that owns Hobby Lobby the morning pill causes an abortion to a fertilized egg.

Emergency contraceptives are designed to inhibit the release of eggs.

OldTexan: Now I tend to wonder why the government has drawn a line in the sand forcing people to provide abortions or lose their business and that makes no sense to me.

Because many people believe that medical insurance should cover contraception for those who desire it.

OldTexan: Also why are you upset that they are willing to take a stand and live with the consequences of their actions which they will. I wonder what causes consternation when other people practice their religion.

They’re not being required to use contraceptives. That’s a decision best left to people and their doctors. Any comprehensive health plan should cover contraception.

Those are real consequences, not an abstract theory and it is not as if they are saying employees cannot avail themselves to this drug on their own or the they are against contraceptives. Now I tend to wonder why the government has drawn a line in the sand forcing people to provide abortions or lose their business and that makes no sense to me.

Also why are you upset that they are willing to take a stand and live with the consequences of their actions which they will. I wonder what causes consternation when other people practice their religion. Does it bother you for Jewish people to keep kosher and observe Saturday as the Sabbath?

If you have no horse in this race then leave us Christians alone as we cope with changes in our society and if you wish to engage in battle with us then come on out and make your case.

This family is dear to me and I worked with this company years ago when there were only five employees in the entire company. I spent 12 years with them and I know that they are committed brave Christians who will stay the race and go the distance no matter what the cost. Perhaps those who want to see them buckle under should rent a large stadium and round up some lions and entertain the masses of people since we seem to be playing out the final days of Rome.

Strong Christian faith can be intimidating when push comes to shove and this is one of those times. In my opinion the three generation family that owns Hobby Lobby will move through this ordeal with prayer and song and acceptance that the Lord is in charge and not mortal men. Yep it sounds kind of nuts but that’s the way this will play out.