Posted on 10/20/2006 6:40:09 AM PDT by presidio9
Catholic and other religious social service groups must provide contraceptive coverage to their employees even if they consider contraception a sin, according to yesterday's ruling by the state's highest court.
The 6-0 decision by the state Court of Appeals hinged on defining Catholic Charities and the other nine religious groups suing the state to be social service agencies, rather than only operating as churches.
The organizations "believe contraception to be sinful," the decision states. "We must weigh against [their] interests in adhering to the tenets of their faith the state's substantial interest in fostering equality between the sexes, and in providing women with better health care."
The New York Catholic Conference is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"We think this has never really been about contraception, we think it was to target the church and open the door for coverage of abortion," said Dennis Poust, spokesman for the Catholic conference.
The court said the fact that the organizations hire employees outside their faith is a critical factor and they deserve the rights sought under the law.
"That ought to be offensive to anyone of faith," Poust said.
"I think it reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Catholicism, which teaches that to be saved, Catholics must perform works of mercy," Poust said. "Faith alone is not enough . . . and the way the church performs its works of mercy is through its Catholic Charities, its schools and its hospitals -
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
So, since the advent of cheap and effective birth control the number of abortions has plummeted, right?
Or is it possible your thinking is superficial?
SD
This is the third time I have seen this point made recently. I can assure you it is an urban legend.
Thyroid?
This reminds me of my Jewish girlfriends in high school who all got nose jobs because they had "sinus issues." Riiiiiight...
That's not what this issue is about. Those who may have legitimate medical reasons are caught in the crossfire.
That sucks, but that's life.
SD
How much longer do they think the rest of us are going to put up with this BS? They don't seem to realize that they are not only making fools of themselves but making a mockery of the Constitution.
What "religion" established gay marriage and from the back of which comic book did they get their divinity degree?
SD
Indded you did. I'm not sure that 'idiotic' is quite a strong enough condemnation of the decision, but it certainly addresses one problem with it.
You are referring to "Cafeteria Catholics." If you choose not to follow the Church's teachings to the letter of the law, then you are following some unnamed Catholic-like religion which you have invented for yourself.
You can run to third base when you get a hit, but you are no longer playing baseball.
you're talking about the difference between legitimate medical usage and volutary usage.
kinda like the difference between reconstructive plastic surgery after an accident, and getting a boob job or a tummy tuck.
my point is, marriage is a religious establishment. government shouldn't regulate it, the church should.
This happened in Minneapolis and is happening in London....what makes you think it's a myth?
In the end, people realize that Catholics aren't going to start beheading those who offend them.
The Church does, but it also operates under the auspices of the state.
Marriage serves a secular function as well, and I don't just mean paying different tax rates.
Children born in marriage are better achievers in all types of socially-desireable ways, from attending college to avoiding drug abuse. Likewise marriage settles in law paternity of chidren and provides social boundaries (you don't mess with someone's wife) which promotes social order.
So it is religious, but there is also a secular social interest in marriage.
SD
"The court said the fact that the organizations hire employees outside their faith "
Why would they do that?
Because I live in NYC. I have drank in cabs morre times than you can count. I see dogs get into and out of cabs all the time. And not just seeing-eye dogs. And I think it's fair to say that most of our drivers at this point are muslim.
Sigh. My sister doesn't understand health savings accounts. I tried to explain it to her, but she is fixated on losing her insurance. I told her to bring me the explanation the archdiocese gave her and I would go over it with her. I hope she does so, because she is making herself sick thinking that she won't have insurance.
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