Posted on 02/10/2012 7:31:30 PM PST by Morgana
KIRKWOOD, Missouri, February 9, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The President of the Missouri Lutheran Synod added his voice to the growing chorus of religious leaders from across denominational lines who are objecting to the HHS mandate requiring employers to cover sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs in their healthcare plans.
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod objects to the use of drugs and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception, wrote Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, in a statement issued February 3rd.
Increasingly we are suffering overzealous intrusions into what is the realm of traditional and biblical Christian conscience. We believe this is a violation of our First Amendment rights, he continued.
The statement echoes the sentiments of Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who recently objected to the medias characterization of the controversy as only a Catholic issue, and urged Evangelicals to understand that our religious liberty is being similarly subverted and attacked.
According to Harrison, the Missouri Synods own healthcare policy, which provides coverage to nearly 48,000 people, would be exempt from the mandate since it had been tailored to obtain grandfather status.
Under the health care reform law, existing policies can be grandfathered if they meet certain criteria. Grandfathered plans are exempt from many of the changes in the legislation, including the requirement to provide the minimum essential coverage which includes the HHS mandate. However, changes made to the policy could cause it to lose grandfathered status.
According to Patrick Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society, which is working against the mandate on behalf of the many Catholic colleges and universities who would be affected by it, many religious organizations are pursuing grandfathered status as a way of delaying the need to comply with the mandate.
However, Reilly added, if the mandate stands, most of those organizations would lose their exempt status within a year or two, since insurance companies routinely make changes to health care policies in areas such as rates and privacy provisions.
The minute anything like that changes, a grandfathered plan is no longer considered to be grandfathered under the federal law, he said.
According to Jim Sanft, President of Concordia Plan Services, the Missouri Synods churchs benefit partner, the Synod operates its own health plan, and therefore has control over any changes that are made to it.
However, Sanft added, the Synod is still concerned that it may ultimately lose its grandfathered status if it is forced to make changes to the plan in order to remain competitive in a changing insurance market.
In the meantime, says Reverend Harrison, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran church has pledged its support for those religious organizations that do not have grandfathered plans and that do not qualify for the legislations narrowly tailored religious exemption.
We will stand, to the best of our ability, with all religious and other concerned citizens against this erosion of our civil liberty, he wrote.
That is the very first part of the very first sentence to the very first amendment to the constitution.
Why doesn't Mr. Harvard constitutional expert know about it?
Obozo is against all religions. Except Islam.
btw who has the Lutheran Ping?
” - - - We will stand, to the best of our ability, with all religious and other concerned citizens against this erosion of our civil liberty, he wrote.”
If only our Congressmen and women would say and do the same - - - .
BTW, Rev. Harrison did use the phrase “to the best of our ability,” so maybe Congress really is limited only by THEIR ability. A good thing to remember in November, 2012.
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Southern Baptists.
Are there any other pro-life Protestant denominations?
I can certainly understand the desire to have laws/regulations that apply to all citizens equally. However, to achieve this without violating religious conscience means to me that there simply have to areas that governments at all levels (Federal, State and Local) do not enter. Obama is trying to eliminate all options other than a government program (which, if it is to be “just” as Hayek defines the term, means the same for everybody).
The only answer, IMHO, is to insure that private options (insurance/self-insurance) continue to be fostered -— and that the government cease dictating what will and will not be covered under those private plans.
I’ve seen individual evangelicals.
EDITORIAL: Obamas free abortion pills
U.S. bishops express concerns about Obama mandate accommodation
What Compromise? This Policy Leaves Religious Liberty in Peril and Planned Parenthood Smiling (Albert Mohler Opinion)
Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty
Southern Baptist leader: Obama gave Christians the dismissive back of his hand
Obama's Act of Tyranny
Bishops Were Prepared for Battle Over Birth Control Coverage
'Accounting gimmick' -- Obama compromise still threatens religious liberty, leaders say
Bishops concerned over reworded mandate; other Catholic leaders slam as insult to injury
Obama Bows to Pressure, but His Religious 'Accommodation' Even Worse
Don't Be Deceived! Evil Obama Policy Now Even MORE Evil!
Obamas Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
Compromise or Accommodation, its still unacceptable. (updated from Catholic Vote)
Pres. Obamas Plan B compromise, Sr. Keehan, and the Magisterium of Nuns
Land Says Obama Mandate Most Anti-Catholic Government Action in 150 Years
Motive, Means and Opportunity: Obamas Assault on Catholics
(Exempt Catholics) Joe Biden, Bill Daley warned of contraceptive backlash
(Tim) Thomas makes second political statement (Stands With Catholics)
Southern Baptist leader: If Obama mandate isnt changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate
Boehner vows to overturn Obamas birth control coverage rule
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy if Obama does not reverse course
O'Brien says Archdiocese of Baltimore won't offer birth control coverage
Archbishop of San Francisco says Obama ruling strikes at religious freedom
How Obama Lost the Catholic Vote
I am going to stick with fellow Catholics in Pres. Obamas war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
Unholy War
Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate
Santorum: Obama Hostile to Christians
Understanding Oppostion to the HHS Mandate (Part 1): Why the Church Wont Pay for Contracept
The Bishops Chickens Coming Home to Roost.
65 Orthodox Church bishops call on Obama to rescind the unjust contraception mandate
Doug Kmiec Writes Obama: 'Friendship Will Not Permit Me to Disregard Duty to Faith and Country'
Catholic Outcry Over Obama Administration's Birth Control Decision Could Factor In Presidential Race
Standing with the Bishops [Catholic Caucus]
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
Outrage!
Military Tells Chaplains What They Can and Cant Say About HHS/ObamaAssault on Religion
Updated: *153* Bishops (Over 80% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
An Affront Catholics Agree On [Liberal and Conservative Catholics Against Obama Mandate]
Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday
Catholic Military Archdiocese & Chaplains interfered with last Sunday by Pres. Obamas Admin
The Anti-Catholic President v. the Catholic Bishops
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama birth control mandate
Churches balk at birth control rule - Catholics wont comply, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says
Protestants and Jews declare to White House: We stand with Catholics
Checking the Air Outside [Bp. Zubik's follow up to Obama's To Hell with You]
Mohler [Southern Baptist] Says Insurance Mandate Not Just 'Catholic' Issue
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama Concerning Recent Tyranny (With Pictures!)
Lincoln bishop: prepare for 'suffering' under HHS mandate
Bishop David Zubik confronts Obama
Obamas war on the church
Pope hits out at 'radical secularism'
We Will Not Comply: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
We Will Not Comply: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
Bruskewitz: Fight Insurance Ruling [Sebelius a "bitter, fallen away Catholic"]
Letter from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Bishop Olmsted's Letter to Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .
Contraception mandate prompts Peoria bishop to instate St. Michael Prayer (Catholic Caucus)
Phoenix bishop (Olmstead): defy feds on birth control
A letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr concerning HHS edict
Speak honestly: abortion is the killing of tiny human beings in the womb Denver bishop
Bishop [Daniel Jenky] Blasts Secularist Intolerance, Calls For Assertive Action to Defend Church
(Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik comments:) HHS delays rule on contraceptive coverage
Dolan: Natural law, not religious preference, dictates all life sacred
Religious leaders blast HHS over contraception mandate
Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience
OBAMAS CONTEMPT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (mandates coverage of sterilization & contraception)
Implications of Obama Admin move to force Cath hospitals to provide contraception and sterilizations
Catholic doctors group launches petition against contraception mandate
Contraception mandate tramples religious freedom, US bishops say
Yes
Quite the accomplishment.
Quite the accomplishment.
Also, to read LCMS President Harrison's full statement, plus some comments on it, go here:
Harrison issues "A Statement on Recent HHS Decision and Religious Freedom"
Leni
Lutheran Ping!
Christ is in our midst!
It is tragic that public opposition has come only from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
Conspicuosly silent are the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC, destination of many congregations that have departed the ELCA) and of course the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The ELCA silence is because this apostate body has supported abortion and contraception without restriction through its employee benefit program for decades.
This silence of the LCMC is mainly because this decentralized body lacks a true spokesperson and has only issued one public statement in its 11 year history, that on the sanctity of Marriage.
Lutheran (LC-MS) Ping!
Christ is in our midst!
Divinely inspired, no doubt.
While I've never been a big fan of that cross design, it is our LCMS logo, and it is instantly recognizable. You've even got it in (as we jokingly call it) "Purple Palace Purple."
One little change I would make is to take out the hyphen. Most of us just write "LCMS" rather than "LC-MS."
Now I suppose I would be the logical guy to maintain an LCMS Ping List. I don't anticipate it being high-volume, since we don't have many LCMS-specific articles posted here on FR.
I'm pinging my own ping list for this, the one that I use for when I post my sermons, since many of those folks are Missouri Synod people.
Anyone who would like to be on an LCMS Ping List, please let me know, either on this thread or via freepmail.
And/or if anyone would like to be on my sermon ping list, let me know that, too.
I don't know if they have issued public statements yet or not, but the two largest conservative Lutheran denominations after the Missouri Synod, i.e., the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) would, I am fairly certain, share the LCMS position on this issue.
It's strong....yet a restful, comfortable hue. The muted purple is perfect. This color signifies royalty....namely, our King of Kings.
Purple has a number of biblical references....Esther 8:15, Acts 16:14 and Judges 8:26 among others.
On a personal note, the color signifies Easter, i.e. the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord.
Since childhood church days, my pastors always wore vestments of white, gold and purple at Easter morning services. I think purple is a color we can all identify with.
The design itself is striking and unique.
Go thou forth, Lightman....and use thou this emblem for a Missouri Synod pingeth.
Leni
Otherwise, the "logo" is very eye-catching. It's just great for LCMS threads on this forum.
Leni
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.