4 Things You Probably Have Wrong About the Hobby Lobby Decision

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

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  And it’s left the opponents of the scientific view appealing lamely to outdated… Continue reading Science v. Religion on When Life Begins

HHS Rally Recap

Yesterday, I went to the HHS Mandate protest outside the offices of the Department of Health and Human Services here in D.C.  It was a great experience: upbeat, generally respectful of those on the other side, prayerful, and resolute.   The scene on my approach to the rally.  There were certainly a lot of women… Continue reading HHS Rally Recap

Women Against the HHS Mandate

The Catholic Information Center has been providing a space for women against the HHS Mandate to make their voices heard.  This particular woman, Gloria Purvis, did a spectacular job of giving voice to all of the things fundamentally wrong with both the HHS Mandate, and the worldview which gave rise to it.  It’s worth watching the… Continue reading Women Against the HHS Mandate

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