The Catholic Church has over the years been cornered in a debate that was once theoretical and became, through technological advances, deadly practical: The notion of the beginning of life. Over time they have been backed into the position of defending the notion that life begins at conception and, along a different path, the idea that contraception is against "Natural Law." This position has some sizable philosophical holes but enough ambiguity that their preference for a safe position, like "do no harm," has become their stance. The result has been an alienation of a large percentage of their following and new problems that arise with every scientific advance.
Now the Affordable Care Act.
Under current insurance law the Church will be forced to participate in programs that violate the very essence of their positions over the last two centuries. They have filled a blizzard of law suits in an effort to protect themselves from these contradictions under the umbrella of "religious freedom." They lost their first case last week.
If they find no protection, their only alternative is to withdraw from participation in any service that is not specifically limited to their own congregation; this would force them to exclude others like non-Catholic patients in their huge hospital system, non-Catholic poor in their charities, non-Catholic students in their schools, and so on. Legally correct but morally offensive.
So, if they do not win their case, who will they be true to? There will certainly be a lot of outraged Catholics if the hierarchy surrenders this point after all the misery they have been put through.
Now the Affordable Care Act.
Under current insurance law the Church will be forced to participate in programs that violate the very essence of their positions over the last two centuries. They have filled a blizzard of law suits in an effort to protect themselves from these contradictions under the umbrella of "religious freedom." They lost their first case last week.
If they find no protection, their only alternative is to withdraw from participation in any service that is not specifically limited to their own congregation; this would force them to exclude others like non-Catholic patients in their huge hospital system, non-Catholic poor in their charities, non-Catholic students in their schools, and so on. Legally correct but morally offensive.
So, if they do not win their case, who will they be true to? There will certainly be a lot of outraged Catholics if the hierarchy surrenders this point after all the misery they have been put through.
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