Discussing the HHS Mandate

The past few years have renewed discussion on the privileges and boundaries of religious liberty in the USA.  One of the major causes of this attention is the HHS contraceptive mandate.  This mandate requires that all medical insurance plans offer contraception (including some which act as abortifacients) free of any charge to the recipient.

Many Catholic institutions - (such as schools, hospitals, and charities) - as well as commercial enterprises owned by Catholics - (such as EWTN) - have objected  to being forced to buy contraception for other people.  In addition, other Christian businesses - (like Hobby Lobby) - have objected to some of the drugs included in the mandate which can act in an abortifacient manner.

I've had many discussions on this subject over the past few years.  As far as I am concerned, the idea that religious liberty should permit Catholics to not buy contraception for other people should be self evident.  Unfortunately, many people don't see it that way.

What I have gathered here are the 8 most common complaints against the religious liberty of Catholics which I have encountered.  I have listed them in the order in which they typically appear in an exchange with a secularist skeptic.  And yes, I regard each one of these complaints as foolish.

Each complaint on this listing links to a typical reply and explanation I have given in the past.  Enjoy.

Complaints Stemming from Lazy Civic Philosophy:

Complaint #1:  “Your beliefs are fine for your personal life, but you have to set those aside when you operate in the marketplace.”   

Complaint #2:  “The owner of the business isn’t being forced to do something, the business is.  Corporations aren’t really people.  They don’t have religions, beliefs, or consciences.  Corporations cannot go to heaven or hell.”

Complaint #3: “Employers should not be able to prevent a person’s access to contraception.”  

Complaint #4: “I suppose you think the State shouldn’t intervene when Christian Science parents refuse to obtain life-saving medical treatment for their children, right?  So if we allow Holy Family Bookstores to not provide contraceptive coverage based on their religious beliefs, we’ll have to let those kids to die too.”  

Complaints Stemming from Ignorance of Moral Philosophy:

Complaint #5:  “If an employer is against contraception, that’s fine for him.  But he isn’t the one who will be using it.  There is nothing immoral about giving it to other people.”

Complaint #6: “The employers are not being forced to give contraception to their employees.  They are being forced to give them insurance coverage which includes contraception at no additional cost.  No one’s conscience is being violated here.”  

Complaint #7: “By that same logic you would have to stop paying the person because he/she might go out and buy contraception!”

Complaint #8: “Some people need those drugs for legitimate medical issues!  Or do you suggest we just cut them off from the medicine they need.”