Constitutionally-protected religious freedom in this country is not under siege from the government\u2019s latest effort to promote access to contraception.<\/p>\n
The old, white males who run the Catholic church are making lots of noise about it but their failing effort to keep a grip on outdated moral doctrine via church\/state separation grounds is an overreach.\u00a0 It\u2019s also mean-spirited.\u00a0 New York\u2019s Cardinal-to-be Tim Dolan is among the most outspoken Catholic leaders opposed to the President\u2019s effort to require religiously-affiliated employers to remove birth control exclusions from worker health insurance plans.<\/p>\n
The uproar from Dolan and Catholic bureaucrats has already prompted the President to modify an edict that would broaden access to a commonly prescribed medicine.\u00a0 It\u2019s too bad.\u00a0 Rank and file Catholics use contraception.\u00a0 They don\u2019t mark calendars or employ other inhuman approaches to avoid unplanned pregnancy.\u00a0 They use contraception.\u00a0 They used it in the 60\u2019s.\u00a0 They used it in the 70\u2019s.\u00a0 They use it now.\u00a0 They go to church on Sunday and they observe many of the guiding principles that make their faith a powerful force.\u00a0 But they don\u2019t listen to old, unmarried celibate guys when it comes to deciding whether to use contraception.<\/p>\n
Some women even take birth control pills to stave off effects of polycystic ovary syndrome.\u00a0 Contraception safeguards health.\u00a0 It can be expensive.\u00a0 And for most women who have health coverage, it\u2019s covered.<\/p>\n
There are prestigious institutions with long, formal ties to the Catholic church right here in Dolan\u2019s own fiefdom that pay for, prescribe and dispense contraceptives in compliance with New York state law.\u00a0 Dolan doesn\u2019t really talk about that much.\u00a0 But he sure seems to find great enthusiasm for pushing back at Obama\u2019s common-sense move to standardize access to contraceptives.<\/p>\n
Lecturing at Fordham University\u2019s law school a few weeks ago, Dolan leveled outrageous criticism at those who use \u201cchemicals and latex\u201d to regulate body chemistry, calling them part of the \u201cculture of death.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s crazy.\u00a0 Adherence to that kind of view from a church leader will prompt some with blind faith to face troubling circumstances while walking the tightrope of adult life.\u00a0 Reproductive health has nothing to do with morals or lack thereof.\u00a0 It\u2019s one\u2019s health.\u00a0 It\u2019s one\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
The institutions targeted by the President\u2019s proposal aren\u2019t traditional houses of worship.\u00a0 They\u2019re enterprises that are part of American society.\u00a0 Secular in basic mission, Catholics run hospitals and universities with great success.\u00a0 They take money from the government.\u00a0 They hire, treat and educate people of all faiths.\u00a0 They don\u2019t go overboard in imposing their beliefs in those settings.\u00a0 In many states, contraceptives move through these places because state laws mandate their availability through insurance.<\/p>\n
What you\u2019re hearing now is a campaign-year drumbeat by the leadership of a voting bloc unhappy with a pro-choice politician.\u00a0 This is a chance to squeeze Obama a bit using religion as a wedge.\u00a0 But if the issue is framed correctly, this is about access to contraception.\u00a0 And on that count, church leaders are way out of step with their constituents – and way out of bounds on their view of contraception\u2019s value as a measure of control over one\u2019s health and life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Constitutionally-protected religious freedom in this country is not under siege from the government\u2019s latest effort to promote access to contraception. The old, white males who run the Catholic church are making lots of noise about it but their failing effort … Continue reading