Discrimination, Conscience, and Religious Liberty

A long while ago I was watching an episode of Miami Ink.  One of the tattoo artists, Ami James, was the only guy on staff when a woman came in asking for a tattoo of some Christian devotional artwork.  Ami, who is Jewish, said he did not feel comfortable drawing Christian devotional artwork.  He refused the job.

Now, one felt for the lady’s frustration, but what ought to have been done?  Do I want this Jewish man to be sued for refusing to draw Christian devotional artwork?  Do I want him hauled before court and facing legal penalties?  Do I want his business demolished?

For many people this is not a mental exercise – this is reality.  All it would take to ruin their livelihood is a single person coming in the door making a request they cannot fulfill in good conscience… with a finger ready to hit the “call” button to a well-lawyered advocacy group.

Today I want to point out a distinction people overlook in these cases.  When someone refuses a job in this fashion, what exactly is being discriminated against?

And also… to what extent are we willing to punish people for obeying their conscience?

Short Answers: Married Priests and the Priesthood of All Christians

Two questions on the Catholic priesthood today:

Short Answers: Repetitive Prayers and the Intercession of Saints

Dear Apologist, I was told that Jesus doesn’t want us to pray repetitious prayers like the Rosary. Is that true?

Short Answers: The ethics of In-Vitro-Fertilization.

Dear Apologist, Why would the Church oppose invitro-fertilization if it helps married couples have a baby? 

In-vitro-Fertilization (IVF) refers to a procedure whereby human embryos are created in a lab and implanted directly into a woman’s womb.  This process is commonly used to assist couples who are struggling to conceive a child naturally.  The Catholic Church nonetheless condemns the use of IVF as gravely evil.  [CCC 2371-2379].  Many argue that since God cooperates with the IVF process by bringing a new human soul into existence, this shows divine approval.  This argument does not work.  Children can also come into existence through a variety of evil acts – (we need not list them) – but no one would argue that those acts are morally licit on that basis.   Therefore, we must look deeper into what IVF does.

There are three main issues.  First, the Church recognizes that God has created a natural order by which children come into existence in the marital act between two spouses.  Children have the right to come into existence in this way.  Second, while a couple’s desire – even desperation - to have a child is understandable, no one has the RIGHT to a child.  They are gifts from God, but the IVF industry perpetuates the attitude that children are a commodity which can be manufactured.

Lastly, and most importantly, a couple who successfully uses IVF typically does not have only one new child.  The process typically creates multiple embryos, most of which are never implanted.  Those embryos, which are living human souls, are typically kept frozen.   While the Church would certainly not cast doubt on the dignity of a child who was born as a result of IVF, recognizing the equal humanity of the children kept on ice demands that the procedure be condemned.

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.

Stupid Complaint #8: No Licit Use?

Stupid 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.”  

Stupid Complaint #7: No Pay?

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