blazingthru
Well-Known Member
Forcing Faith
In a deeply divided Supreme Court decision on June 30, 2014, it was determined that certain for-profit companies cannot be required to pay for some forms of birth control if it goes against their religious beliefs. Two companies—Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties—say they are committed to operating their businesses in harmony with biblical beliefs.
The companies felt the Affordable Care Act violated the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by insisting they provide employees with abortive contraceptives like the “morning-after pill,” which can potentially destroy the life of an embryo. While both companies already provide the majority of contraceptive coverage required under the ACA, the court upheld their desire for this narrow exemption.
The decision brings to light the challenges of faith-based organizations and individuals when religious freedom and new health care laws cross paths. The court’s ruling reaffirmed the 1993 RFRA and continues to protect religious liberty for people from many different faiths.
The case also highlights a bitter struggle that repeatedly comes up between political parties. Should the government be allowed to dictate the personal moral beliefs of every citizen? Where do we as a people draw the line? Ironically, this fight over religious freedom has put those with quite different religious beliefs on the same side—something increasingly happening as subjective secular ideology conflicts more and more with concrete Bible morality. This is something to watch closely!
The Bible also predicts that our religious freedoms will not always exist in the United States. The opportunities for spreading the everlasting gospel will slowly be removed as ruling powers begin to control people’s lives with tighter constraints, all in the name of safety and protection. Eventually, even the right to buy and sell will be dictated by laws based on religious restrictions (Revelation 13:11–17).
Many Christians are, of course, pleased with the Supreme Court’s recent decision, but our ultimate security should not be placed in the hands of flawed human leaders. God’s children are to be hidden in Christ, not policies that might be used someday to enforce moral beliefs. Prophecy tells us Jesus will soon return, and the liberties many now enjoy will slowly be removed by a power that seeks to divide our loyalties from our Supreme leader.
No legislation should ever prevent the Christian from following the injunction: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:6). Faith cannot be forced.
In a deeply divided Supreme Court decision on June 30, 2014, it was determined that certain for-profit companies cannot be required to pay for some forms of birth control if it goes against their religious beliefs. Two companies—Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties—say they are committed to operating their businesses in harmony with biblical beliefs.
The companies felt the Affordable Care Act violated the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by insisting they provide employees with abortive contraceptives like the “morning-after pill,” which can potentially destroy the life of an embryo. While both companies already provide the majority of contraceptive coverage required under the ACA, the court upheld their desire for this narrow exemption.
The decision brings to light the challenges of faith-based organizations and individuals when religious freedom and new health care laws cross paths. The court’s ruling reaffirmed the 1993 RFRA and continues to protect religious liberty for people from many different faiths.
The case also highlights a bitter struggle that repeatedly comes up between political parties. Should the government be allowed to dictate the personal moral beliefs of every citizen? Where do we as a people draw the line? Ironically, this fight over religious freedom has put those with quite different religious beliefs on the same side—something increasingly happening as subjective secular ideology conflicts more and more with concrete Bible morality. This is something to watch closely!
The Bible also predicts that our religious freedoms will not always exist in the United States. The opportunities for spreading the everlasting gospel will slowly be removed as ruling powers begin to control people’s lives with tighter constraints, all in the name of safety and protection. Eventually, even the right to buy and sell will be dictated by laws based on religious restrictions (Revelation 13:11–17).
Many Christians are, of course, pleased with the Supreme Court’s recent decision, but our ultimate security should not be placed in the hands of flawed human leaders. God’s children are to be hidden in Christ, not policies that might be used someday to enforce moral beliefs. Prophecy tells us Jesus will soon return, and the liberties many now enjoy will slowly be removed by a power that seeks to divide our loyalties from our Supreme leader.
No legislation should ever prevent the Christian from following the injunction: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:6). Faith cannot be forced.
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