Comments on: Religious Freedom: The Cornerstone of American Government http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/ Sun, 19 May 2013 11:55:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Vincent Bonczyk http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-60066 Vincent Bonczyk Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:42:03 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-60066 "If a person’s religious belief conflicts with contraception, then that person should not use that element of health coverage. But their individual religious beliefs should not spill over and control other individual’s rights to use contraception." The rights of an individual extend only to the point where exercising them would infringe on the rights of another individual. This fact is sadly something that many of the entitlement-addicted people in America today are forgetting. The supposed right to health care (no such thing exists, last time I took a look at the constitution) CANNOT infringe on the rights of another individual to practice their religion, which includes the freedom from being forced to violate one's moral beliefs. Under the HHS mandate, employers would be required to pay into premiums which provide coverage to employees for things which Catholics are morally opposed to, such as contraception, sterilization, and abortion-producing drugs (morning after pills, IUDs, certain hormonal birth control, etc...). Many objections to the Catholic outcry over this travesty are based on the fact that some of the employees in question are not Catholic and should be allowed to do as they please without the church being concerned. This is true to a point: God gifted all of us with free will to choose as we please. The problem lies in the fact that by paying premiums to provide these coverages the Church becomes an enabler or even an accomplice to someone committing a grave sin. This would be akin to forcing Alcoholics Anonymous to provide an open bar for employees in their offices since not everyone believes alcohol is bad. The issue is not about contraception, as most of the mainstream media and anti-Catholics would have you believe. It is about putting a stop to a government gone out of control that seems hell-bent on taking away our civil liberties under the guise of providing equality. “If a person’s religious belief conflicts with contraception, then that person should not use that element of health coverage. But their individual religious beliefs should not spill over and control other individual’s rights to use contraception.”

The rights of an individual extend only to the point where exercising them would infringe on the rights of another individual. This fact is sadly something that many of the entitlement-addicted people in America today are forgetting. The supposed right to health care (no such thing exists, last time I took a look at the constitution) CANNOT infringe on the rights of another individual to practice their religion, which includes the freedom from being forced to violate one’s moral beliefs.

Under the HHS mandate, employers would be required to pay into premiums which provide coverage to employees for things which Catholics are morally opposed to, such as contraception, sterilization, and abortion-producing drugs (morning after pills, IUDs, certain hormonal birth control, etc…).

Many objections to the Catholic outcry over this travesty are based on the fact that some of the employees in question are not Catholic and should be allowed to do as they please without the church being concerned. This is true to a point: God gifted all of us with free will to choose as we please. The problem lies in the fact that by paying premiums to provide these coverages the Church becomes an enabler or even an accomplice to someone committing a grave sin. This would be akin to forcing Alcoholics Anonymous to provide an open bar for employees in their offices since not everyone believes alcohol is bad.

The issue is not about contraception, as most of the mainstream media and anti-Catholics would have you believe. It is about putting a stop to a government gone out of control that seems hell-bent on taking away our civil liberties under the guise of providing equality.

]]> By: Alex http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-60038 Alex Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:30:48 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-60038 Religious freedom means freedom to follow your preferred religion without persecution. How does an employer offering birth control as an option to an individual interfere with their religion? Religious freedom means freedom to follow your preferred religion without persecution. How does an employer offering birth control as an option to an individual interfere with their religion?

]]> By: Kate Wright http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59940 Kate Wright Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:03:33 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59940 Dear Cardinal-Designate Dolan, America's Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook was supposed to have met with PRC Government Officials last week in Beijing, departing February 8. She was denied visas, and therefore, access. This disclosure came yesterday, February 14, in the Washington Post, four days after the (public) political treachery perpetrated against the USCCB last week. This also coincides with the diplomatically sensitive visit of future PRC President Xi Jinping, in which any discussion of Human Rights was denied. NJ Congressman Christopher Smith, however, held his own (sparsely attended) hearing on Capitol Hill. This is the first American Presidency to turn its back on Religious Liberty and Human Rights. My concern is that you understand the nature of this political and religious treachery. Sincerely, Kate Wright Dear Cardinal-Designate Dolan,

America’s Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook was supposed to have met with PRC Government Officials last week in Beijing, departing February 8. She was denied visas, and therefore, access.

This disclosure came yesterday, February 14, in the Washington Post, four days after the (public) political treachery perpetrated against the USCCB last week. This also coincides with the diplomatically sensitive visit of future PRC President Xi Jinping, in which any discussion of Human Rights was denied. NJ Congressman Christopher Smith, however, held his own (sparsely attended) hearing on Capitol Hill.

This is the first American Presidency to turn its back on Religious Liberty and Human Rights.

My concern is that you understand the nature of this political and religious treachery.

Sincerely,
Kate Wright

]]> By: Kate Wright http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59906 Kate Wright Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:30:25 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59906 Dear Archbishop Dolan, You may appreciate knowing that this morning I attended a meeting featuring a prominent Guest Speaker who writes Supreme Court briefs for the Cato Institute, a non-religious think tank. The discussion turned to healthcare, and he articulated that Religious Liberty supercedes Commerce in constitutional protection, but he is not informed regarding "Conscience Protection" throughout history in the way that we have been educated through Thomas Aquinas and Thomas More. Thanks to Friday's USCCB Statement as well as "Unacceptable" by Notre Dame's Carter Snead and 90 others, I was able to articulate "Conscience Protection" and Religious Liberty for all individuals under the U.S. Constitution, people of faith and no faith. The "Conscience" exists prior (a priori) to speech and, in fact, any dilemma or choice (moral, economic, or otherwise) originates within the conscience(s) of any and all individuals, regardless of faith, or no faith. The audience was Jewish (except for me), and they cheered this (enlightened) presentation to this key litigator for The Cato Institute. In other words, our UNalienable right(s) extend to all individuals, regardless of faith, and canNOT be surrendered! Sincerely yours, Kate Wright Dear Archbishop Dolan,

You may appreciate knowing that this morning I attended a meeting featuring a prominent Guest Speaker who writes Supreme Court briefs for the Cato Institute, a non-religious think tank.

The discussion turned to healthcare, and he articulated that Religious Liberty supercedes Commerce in constitutional protection, but he is not informed regarding “Conscience Protection” throughout history in the way that we have been educated through Thomas Aquinas and Thomas More.

Thanks to Friday’s USCCB Statement as well as “Unacceptable” by Notre Dame’s Carter Snead and 90 others, I was able to articulate “Conscience Protection” and Religious Liberty for all individuals under the U.S. Constitution, people of faith and no faith. The “Conscience” exists prior (a priori) to speech and, in fact, any dilemma or choice (moral, economic, or otherwise) originates within the conscience(s) of any and all individuals, regardless of faith, or no faith.

The audience was Jewish (except for me), and they cheered this (enlightened) presentation to this key litigator for The Cato Institute.

In other words, our UNalienable right(s) extend to all individuals, regardless of faith, and canNOT be surrendered!

Sincerely yours,
Kate Wright

]]> By: Suz http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59898 Suz Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:58:26 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59898 When have any of you been told you can not worship? When have any of you been told you are not allowed to be Catholic or you must convert? When have any of you been told that you will be killed or tortured if you do not give up your faith? When have any of you ever had to worship in secret? NEVER. You do not appreciate your religious freedom and your insistence that everyone else must live by your doctrine or they are not honoring your freedoms is what is inciting secular society against you. But an employer that services secular society, pulls its staff from secular society, receives funding from from secular society, and refuses to allow their employees the CHOICE of health care services because of their own religious doctrine is the very definition of religious persecution. Not all Catholics agree with the Bishops' spin. http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/ When have any of you been told you can not worship? When have any of you been told you are not allowed to be Catholic or you must convert? When have any of you been told that you will be killed or tortured if you do not give up your faith? When have any of you ever had to worship in secret? NEVER. You do not appreciate your religious freedom and your insistence that everyone else must live by your doctrine or they are not honoring your freedoms is what is inciting secular society against you.

But an employer that services secular society, pulls its staff from secular society, receives funding from from secular society, and refuses to allow their employees the CHOICE of health care services because of their own religious doctrine is the very definition of religious persecution.

Not all Catholics agree with the Bishops’ spin. http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/

]]> By: Kelly Nash http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59753 Kelly Nash Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:02:22 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59753 Now that you have used your considerable political power to get the President to back off the contraception issue, I would really like to see you use the same enthusiasm to end the death penalty. Now that you have used your considerable political power to get the President to back off the contraception issue, I would really like to see you use the same enthusiasm to end the death penalty.

]]> By: David Hils http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59714 David Hils Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:21:39 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59714 Archbishop Dolan, Thank you for your opposition to the immoral HHS regulations. We need your swift opposition to the new supposed "compromise." As you have already said, "There is no free lunch, and you can be sure there's no free abortion, sterilization or contraception. There will be a source of funding: you." Please be as forceful now as you were to start with. All of us Catholics will be forced to violate our consciences if this "free insurance" regulation is allowed to stand. Archbishop Dolan,

Thank you for your opposition to the immoral HHS regulations.

We need your swift opposition to the new supposed “compromise.”

As you have already said, “There is no free lunch, and you can be sure there’s no
free abortion, sterilization or contraception. There will be a source of funding: you.”

Please be as forceful now as you were to start with. All of us Catholics will be forced to violate our consciences if this “free insurance” regulation is allowed to stand.

]]> By: Kim Blackiston http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59710 Kim Blackiston Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:47 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59710 I am not a Catholic, although my wife and her family are all devoted Catholics. I wanted to post here, a personal thanks. What the Obama administration has attempted to do, is truly pathetic. Not only are they attempting to once again circumvent the Constitution of the United States, but more importantly, additionally insult the religious doctrines. And had there been no stepping up by the Catholic Church on this issue, every single person of all religious backgrounds, would have been fair game for President Obama to attack. My sincere thanks go out to all who have voiced their concern and outrage about this mandate. The United States of America must, repeat, MUST, have our liberties protected, and the assault waged by the Obama Administration must, repeat, MUST, be stifled completely. My only hope here is that, even if President Obama relents and provides an exemption, that everyone must be fully aware that he will not hesitate at all, given another opportunity, to "throw the religious liberties of All Americans, under the bus" again. This president cannot be trusted. This President has a very discerning attitude about how things in America "should" be governed, and that includes our religious rights, and liberties. Please keep this in mind this year. My sincere thanks go out to all who have voiced their concern and outrage about this mandate and the possible repercussions that could occur. We are one nation, under God, not one nation under Obama. I am not a Catholic, although my wife and her family are all devoted Catholics. I wanted to post here, a personal thanks.
What the Obama administration has attempted to do, is truly pathetic. Not only are they attempting to once again circumvent the Constitution of the United States, but more importantly, additionally insult the religious doctrines. And had there been no stepping up by the Catholic Church on this issue, every single person of all religious backgrounds, would have been fair game for President Obama to attack.
My sincere thanks go out to all who have voiced their concern and outrage about this mandate.
The United States of America must, repeat, MUST, have our liberties protected, and the assault waged by the Obama Administration must, repeat, MUST, be stifled completely.
My only hope here is that, even if President Obama relents and provides an exemption, that everyone must be fully aware that he will not hesitate at all, given another opportunity, to “throw the religious liberties of All Americans, under the bus” again.
This president cannot be trusted. This President has a very discerning attitude about how things in America “should” be governed, and that includes our religious rights, and liberties. Please keep this in mind this year.
My sincere thanks go out to all who have voiced their concern and outrage about this mandate and the possible repercussions that could occur. We are one nation, under God, not one nation under Obama.

]]> By: Sabine Gumm http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59703 Sabine Gumm Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:51:19 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59703 Dear Archbishop Dolan. I am not Catholic but as a Christian I am glad to finally see the Catholic Church waking up. The churches in this great Nation of ours (not just the Catholics) have been puppets of the progressives in this country. Our Nation became great because it was based on Christian values and the pulpit was the place that spoke the TRUTH. Instead today most churches preach "Social Justice", water down God's message not to offend it's parishioners, don't hold the flock accountable because "We are all winners here" and don't forget your participation trophy at the door. We have "christian" churches in this country that are so PC, not wanting to offend, that they open their doors to Islam. Chrislam is the systematic destruction of the all non-islamic faiths. I don't see any protests. We have a universal assault on religion as a whole. The President had the audacity to state that: "...we are no longer a Christian Nation...." We cannot say "Merry Christmas" and the left is succeeding in turning the word God into something shameful and dirty. I don't see any protest. Now you say the contraception healthcare mandate goes against Catholic teachings. Absolutely!!! But it is not ONLY Catholic teachings. It goes against God, no matter if you are Jewish, Baptist, Amish, ...., even Mormon. Why do you believe the Catholic Church should have greater privilege under the law in the United States than any other religion. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights speaks of EQUAL RIGHTS for all. Will God look kindly on us if we asked for special treatment over others? Would Mary approve? As a Christian I will stand with the Catholic church and defend your rights even though I may not agree all of your beliefs. We see antisemitism on the rise and I will stand with any Jew and say "Take Me First". I truly believe that the only way to restore the pulpit and its message is to start joining with other religions and take back what the left / progressives are taking from us daily. We have to restore GOD in this country, we have to restore HONOR. Than and only than will contraception and abortions not find a seat at the table of the faithful. We can only fight this if we link arms and take a stand together against the evil that is growing in the world. Please reach out to other Faith Communities such as John Hagee Ministries. Pastor Hagee has been bringing people together for years. There are others out there ready to stand with you. Please reach out before it is too late. May Gods Blessings be upon you. Dear Archbishop Dolan.

I am not Catholic but as a Christian I am glad to finally see the Catholic Church waking up. The churches in this great Nation of ours (not just the Catholics) have been puppets of the progressives in this country.

Our Nation became great because it was based on Christian values and the pulpit was the place that spoke the TRUTH. Instead today most churches preach “Social Justice”, water down God’s message not to offend it’s parishioners, don’t hold the flock accountable because “We are all winners here” and don’t forget your participation trophy at the door.

We have “christian” churches in this country that are so PC, not wanting to offend, that they open their doors to Islam. Chrislam is the systematic destruction of the all non-islamic faiths. I don’t see any protests.

We have a universal assault on religion as a whole. The President had the audacity to state that: “…we are no longer a Christian Nation….” We cannot say “Merry Christmas” and the left is succeeding in turning the word God into something shameful and dirty. I don’t see any protest.

Now you say the contraception healthcare mandate goes against Catholic teachings. Absolutely!!! But it is not ONLY Catholic teachings. It goes against God, no matter if you are Jewish, Baptist, Amish, …., even Mormon.

Why do you believe the Catholic Church should have greater privilege under the law in the United States than any other religion. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights speaks of EQUAL RIGHTS for all. Will God look kindly on us if we asked for special treatment over others? Would Mary approve?

As a Christian I will stand with the Catholic church and defend your rights even though I may not agree all of your beliefs. We see antisemitism on the rise and I will stand with any Jew and say “Take Me First”.

I truly believe that the only way to restore the pulpit and its message is to start joining with other religions and take back what the left / progressives are taking from us daily. We have to restore GOD in this country, we have to restore HONOR. Than and only than will contraception and abortions not find a seat at the table of the faithful.

We can only fight this if we link arms and take a stand together against the evil that is growing in the world. Please reach out to other Faith Communities such as John Hagee Ministries. Pastor Hagee has been bringing people together for years. There are others out there ready to stand with you. Please reach out before it is too late.

May Gods Blessings be upon you.

]]> By: Mary L De La Garza http://blog.archny.org/index.php/religious-freedom-the-cornerstone-of-american-government/comment-page-2/#comment-59701 Mary L De La Garza Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:23:28 +0000 http://blog.archny.org/?p=2182#comment-59701 There are so many people who don't understand the church's teaching on contraception and abortion. The church is responsible to inform people that it is wrong to offer anything that will endanger anyones soul. This is why our bishops are speaking up against the President's mandate. Many people do not have an inform conscience and think that they can do anything with their bodies. This is not so. The biggest point here is that we as Catholics being told, we must go against on conscience. The Constitution was written to protect us Americans against such wrongs. Catholic Institutions can not offer this mandate under pain of MORTAL SIN. There are so many people who don’t understand the church’s teaching on contraception and abortion. The church is responsible to inform people that it is wrong to offer anything that will endanger anyones soul. This is why our bishops are speaking up against the President’s mandate. Many people do not have an inform conscience and think that they can do anything with their bodies. This is not so. The biggest point here is that we as Catholics being told, we must go against on conscience. The Constitution was written to protect us Americans against such wrongs. Catholic Institutions can not offer this mandate under pain of MORTAL SIN.

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