A New York law passed in 2002 requires employers' insurance plans to cover prescription contraceptives. "Religious employers" are exempt—but it's the law's definition of a religious employer that's the trouble. The only groups that qualify under the "Women's Health and Wellness Act" are those where "(1) the inculcation of religious values is the purpose of the entity; (2) the entity primarily employs persons who share the religious tenets of the entity; (3) the entity serves primarily persons who share the religious tenets of the entity."
In other words, if you're a church, you're fine. If you're a parachurch ministry, you almost certainly don't qualify. It's not terribly surprising, then, that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany (qualifies), which runs Catholic Charities (doesn't qualify), fought the law and sued over it when it was implemented. Perhaps more surprising is that the Catholics were joined by Baptist churches that don't oppose artificial contraception. They're concerned that the law lays the groundwork for requiring religious organizations to pay for abortion.
Appeals court says "health coverage" beats free exercise of religion
4 comments:
There is nothing supprising about that. Catholics and Baptists share a lot more of a world view than we differ.
But we don't agree on the specific issue of church opposition of artifical contraception Unless something has changed that I am not aware of.
No, we don't. However, we do not support abortion, and it is easier to put out a fire when it is a spark. Just a little planning ahead so religious groups won't be forced to pay for abortions down the line.
I'm with you on that one!
Post a Comment