Today, headlines referenced Catholic leadership confronting President Obama's new policy that would make contraceptives, etc. available in health plans offered employees in Catholic organizations (actually in religious-based non-profit organizations).
I believe it was earlier this week I inadvertently meandered into a TV press conference from the White House where the press secretary was answering reporter's questions on the very subject. My mouth fell open in amazement. Why, I wondered, why has such an emotional, sensitive, and yes, divisive subject become important legislation to debate now?
Admittedly, my tendency is to reduce problem information to the simplest context, looking for the easy way to resolve a conflict. Simply put, I jump to a conclusion! This time it was, "doesn't separation of church and state apply in the matter?" I'm thinking,"yes". I'm wrong. Separation of church and state is not in any language related to the legal governance of our nation.
But, the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution leads with, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" So, to my no-legal-background-at-all mind, it would seem the President is on firm ground, constitutionally, with the new policy.
I do think the President's decision at this time is an extremely political one. President Obama's administration wants to enable an individual woman's right to obtain the health coverage she desires no matter if the employer is a religious-based not for profit organization. Yes, it's about Women's Rights. And, it's election year. The administrations' decision is a courageous one.
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