CHURCHES MUST PAY BIRTH CONTROL: COURT

Associated Press ^ | 10/20/06

[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 -

[longtermmemmory]

Notice how the AP does the propaganda spin, the exceprt paragraph would imply THIS IS IN YOU, YOUR STATE, WHERE YOU LIVE STATE. Despite the fact this appears to only be NY based on the NY Catholic reference.

Pure propaganda.


Of course folks with a FEDERAL majority we have a chance to introduce federal law to trump this state law. Democrats will make the opposit mandatory.

Thanks for the propaganda AP.

[wagglebee]

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Abortion will be next!

[VeniVidiVici]

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.

"New" rights. And we all know "new" rights trump old rights. Thank God we have courts and judges that constantly create "new" rights for us. The old ones get sort of stale from time to time.

[Mr. Silverback]

Nah, "democrat" with a small d indicates someone who believes in basic human freedoms...Pataki doesn't qualify.

[longtermmemmory]

ther ARE some non birth control reasons to take the birth control pills. (thyroid, painful periods etc)

[Talking_Mouse]

The unintended conseqence should be that the church must then stop paying for all health insurance.

You are right, that is what is going to happen.

[SoothingDave]

In our lifetimes we will see Catholic hospitals closed down by the government for refusing to facilitate euthanasia.

One hopes that they will shut down voluntarily out of principle before being forced to.

SD

[SoothingDave]

If the church is so FIRM about contraception, then all employees who use it should be fired.

How do you suppose the Church is to go about finding out this information?

SD

[GrandEagle]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Well, my FRiend, what you have forgotten is that merely posting a plaque on the wall is tantamount to Congress passing a law.
Based on the logic for this SCOTUS edict, since we do not prohibit people from leaving the country to some other place where they can freely exercise their religion, then this portion of the living, breathing, ever changing in meaning Constitution has not been breached.

We are truly in trouble...

[SoothingDave]

Why can't Catholic Charities move out of liberal MA and NY to a State that would welcome them.

Christ didn't entreat us to heal the sick, feed the hungry, etc. only in favorable political climates.

What they should do, when necessary, is sever all ties with hostile governments, turning aside any monetary gain in order to clearly and effectively witness.

SD

[therut]

Maybe they should just confess to the preist in private. The church should not have to pay for something they consider sinful. I do not understand why people who are Catholic gripe when they know they are breaking Catholic teachings. I do not grip with God when I sin. I admit it. The church is not at fault they are. If not then change Churches. I am not Catholic but if I were I would not be so full of self importance to think the Church should change for me.

[Red Badger]

...yes, but do you stand by that position concerning marriage?

To which post are you referring?...........

[lexington minuteman 1775]

These judges really need to read our Constitution. They can not make laws telling "religion" what to do. It's all there in the First Ammendment!

[Antoninus]

If I were a bishop, I'd tell the state, politely of course, to go jump in the lake. We're going to continue to do what we do and we're not going to provide coverage for things we consider sinful. If you don't like it, put us in jail.

It's getting to that point. I just pray that God gives us bishops who are willing to go that far...

[TruthWillWin]

The Catholic church's stance on no contraceptives is confusing to me. How can one be against abortion yet not allow contraceptives? Contraceptives should be one acceptable tool used to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.

[presidio9]

Not only is healthcare not a "right," but sexual promiscuity is not a requirement for good health. The majority of the Catholic Church's "employees" are celibate.

[wideawake]

then all employees who use it should be fired

What a silly comment.

Everyone sins in some way or other, everyone violates the moral laws instituted by God and taught by the Church.

There is a difference between being forgiving toward people who commit sins and actively helping them to commit sins.

It is ridiculous to force the Church itself to collaborate in immoral behavior.

[Talking_Mouse]

ther ARE some non birth control reasons to take the birth control pills. (thyroid, painful periods etc)

Thank you for pointing that out. I use birth control pills because I became anemic due to excessively long periods. I know several other women who are using birthcontol pills for similar reasons. While I do not work for the Church, I enjoy the fact that my employer's health insurance package covers my pills.

[tkathy]

Contraceptives are here to stay.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

The left really wants to eliminate religion.