Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision in the Hobby Lobby case (Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.), siding with Hobby Lobby. It was a 5-4 decision, with Justice Alito writing the opinion (Justice Kennedy, who joined the majority, also wrote a concurring opinion). The Court’s decision, holding that the HHS Mandate violates Hobby Lobby’s… Continue reading 4 Things You Probably Have Wrong About the Hobby Lobby Decision
Tag: birth control
The HHS Mandate is “Self-Defeating”? A Federal Court of Appeals Weighs In.
The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an important ruling about the HHS Mandate today. The ruling makes several important points, and frames the HHS Mandate debate in a productive way. It’s certainly an exciting moment for those of us against the mandate, even though it doesn’t go nearly as far… Continue reading The HHS Mandate is “Self-Defeating”? A Federal Court of Appeals Weighs In.
Just How Effective is Natural Family Planning, Anyway?
One of the major arguments surrounding natural family planning is on its effectiveness. Critics of NFP claim isn’t all that effective at family planning. In part, this misconception is due to two things: Charles Auguste Romain Lobbedez, Family Time (1876) that, despite its name, it There are a wide variety of practices thrown together under… Continue reading Just How Effective is Natural Family Planning, Anyway?
Science v. Religion on When Life Begins
One of the looming questions in the abortion debate relates to when human life begins. From a scientific perspective, this question has been solved for centuries, thanks in part to the work of a seventeenth-century Italian scientist by the name of Francesco Redi. And it’s left the opponents of the scientific view appealing lamely to outdated… Continue reading Science v. Religion on When Life Begins
Women Challenging the HHS Mandate
When the GOP-run House Oversight Committee held a hearing on religious freedom and the HHS Mandate, consisting of five male religious leaders, Congressional Democrats and Planned Parenthood quickly cried sexism, with two Democrats walking out in protest. This struck me at the time as both clever and dishonest. The second panel Two facts are conveniently… Continue reading Women Challenging the HHS Mandate
Disingenuous Arguments for the HHS Mandate
I’ve more or less said my piece in response to the HHS Mandate — it’s about all I blogged about last week, and I’m pleased to move on to other topics, short of any major developments. But I wanted to say one thing in passing: the arguments I’ve heard in favor of the HHS Mandate… Continue reading Disingenuous Arguments for the HHS Mandate
Cardinal Wuerl: HHS Mandate – Nothing Has Changed
This arrived in my inbox this evening, from Cardinal Wuerl. It’s consistent with the comments he made at Mass on Friday, and I’m thrilled to see someone with his prominence speaking out so forthrightly. The only edits I’ve made were bolding a few parts that I thought were particularly important: February 13, 2012 Dear Friends,… Continue reading Cardinal Wuerl: HHS Mandate – Nothing Has Changed
Why the HHS “Compromise” Doesn’t Work
The announced HHS “compromise” requiring insurance companies, rather than religious institutions, to pay for abortion, contraception, and sterilization, may be a step in the right direction, but it still has huge problems that need addressing: Caspar Isenmann, Betrayal of Christ (15th c.) The Church will still be footing the bill: Fr. Andrew’s initial response to this was… Continue reading Why the HHS “Compromise” Doesn’t Work
Day of Prayer and Fasting
Ary Scheffer, The Temptation of Christ (1854) Some of the Catholics in the Diocese of Arlington called for today to be a special Day of Prayer and Fasting in solidarity with the US Bishops against the HHS mandate. It’s a very good idea. If you can’t do a traditional fast today (two small meals and… Continue reading Day of Prayer and Fasting
Contesting the HHS Mandate – A Panel Discussion
Last night, at the Catholic Information Center, there was a fantastic panel discussion on the HHS Mandate, featuring: Richard Doerflinger James Capretta, Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) (and a former Associate Director of the OMB), Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Kyle Duncan, General… Continue reading Contesting the HHS Mandate – A Panel Discussion