NewsOk.com has reported on President Obama’s HHS mandate, which has caused controversy across party lines...April 24, 2012
NewsOk.com reports that President Obama’s remark about the success of religious organizations has undermined his efforts to support the controversial HHS mandate. This mandate would require all employers to provide contraceptives to their employees—an action that is in direct conflict with the beliefs of many religious organizations. Penned by Joel Gehrke, this article sheds light on the fact that, despite their contributions to society, religious organizations are not necessarily recognized as they think they should be...Wilson, MD, speaks out against the HHS mandate, citing religious intolerance as a primary reason to oppose it.
Gehrke records President Obama’s key admission as being, “I’ve seen firsthand some of the outstanding work that you are doing in your respective communities, and it’s an incredible expression of your faith.” He cites that the President later spoke at length about the significance of Easter, of Jesus Christ, and of the crucifixion. Although these statements were not made in connection with policy, they are seen by some as in direct opposition with the contraception mandate. The argument is that, if religious organizations are so faithful and effective in their work, why force them to compromise their beliefs?
Although President Obama has allowed churches to refrain from complying with the HHS mandate, according to Gehrke, he has not exempted organizations that are merely affiliated with religious beliefs...Wilson, MD, religious affiliation is as strong an argument against the mandate as any. He and other individuals who oppose the legislation believe that an organization’s moral values do not have to be defined by religious organizations, that religiously-affiliated organizations have rights, too...Wilson, MD. “As a medical director for a crisis pregnancy center, I see the incredible and powerful life changing impact their ministry has on so many women; organizations like this would close rather than compromise their immutable beliefs...McDonald, MD, spearhead OB/GYN Specialists in Denton, Texas.