Hobby Lobby and Connestoga Wood Specialties both claim to be founded and operated based on Christian values and thus feel they should not have to provide contraception coverage for their employees. The two separate appeals will be heard together in one of the high court's one hour, public sessions. This Supreme Court decision will prove very important as it will establish precedent as to whether businesses have a religious liberty right, or whether such constitutional protections apply only to individuals. What do you guys think? Should a for-profit business be required to provide contraceptive coverage for all their employees regardless of the religious views of the companies founders?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/21/politics/scotus-obamacare-contraception-mandate/index.html?hpt=po_c2
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I find it highly worrisome for the government to force business owners to provide contraception in their insurance policies even though they have a religious objection. This is a clear violation of the right of conscience, which Madison considered among the most fundamental and important liberties. Not only that, but there would be an enormous loss of jobs should businesses be forced to move forward with this (considering the fact that some of these businesses will be forced to choose between going bankrupt and following the mandate).
ReplyDeleteI think this is a slippery slope. On one hand, I don't think a institution should be forced to provide contraception if it goes against their religion. However, Hobby Lobby and other for profit institutions employ people that do not necessarily have the same religious beliefs.The owners of these companies don't need to take contraceptives if they don't want to, but I don't think they should deprive their workers of that opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI believe that providing contraception should be something all companies must follow regardless of the nature in which their company was founded. The option of contraception should be offered to all employees in any institution because each employee doesn't necessarily agree with their employers. However, this is a cloudy area. Religious beliefs shouldn't be neglected, but neither should the rights of employees.
ReplyDeleteI think companies should have to provide contraception to their employees. I see this issue in the same way as I see the abortion issue. You don't have to use it if you don't want, but the option should be available incase. "Christian values" have changed over time and can be suited to the modern culture to include contraception. (Because contraception was never used by Christians before.) And overall, I think the rights and health of the employees are more important than the "values" of an hyperbolic legal entity.
ReplyDeleteI think that business should have to provide contraception to their employees. If we left the decision to business owners on all aspects based on their Christian values, the workplace and employee rights would look much different. If an employee got hurt on the job, the employer could use his beliefs as an excuse not to pay for his health benefits saying that his/her accident was "an act of god, not my machine's fault." I think if we allow the precedent of giving business owners the freedom the to make decisions based on their religious values, it becomes a very slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteHaving contraception as part of health insurance through a company should be mandatory. I understand that it may go against the owner's beliefs, but the employees may not have the same. Ethan's example was perfect. If we let contraception be an option on health insurance just based on religious beliefs, how many other policies could be changed just based on religious beliefs? If contraception on health insurance is an option because of religious beliefs, them I am making my own religion where it is a sin to pay taxes.
ReplyDeleteThe owners like most people have said, should have to give people the option of having contraception. It is not owner's life that is changed if a person has a baby, so they should not be allowed to pick and choose what parts of health insurance they want covered. Some religions believe people should not go to doctors at all, but if they own a company of substantial size, they must still provide healthcare to their employees. Reproductive health should be treated the same as any other part of health care.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that corporations are people, and I don't believe they as an entity are entitled to the civil liberties that actual people are. A corporation must treat its employees according to how the law dictates, and just because its executives have certain beliefs doesn't mean that the corporation as a whole must live by those beliefs. Hobby Lobby employees have a right to equal protection under the law, and they shouldn't be forced to live by their employers' life views.The only people whose rights are being restricted here are the employees.
ReplyDelete