I know most of you are here for the cat video fun, but every now and then I have to comment on issues of the day. To all the ladies out there, I want to say I love all of you and Im deeply saddened by the Supreme Courts ruling that once again places control of your body in the hands of insecure and power hungry men. It is tragic and disgusting, and particularly maddening that it is done so in the name of religious freedom. I am astounded at the idea that religious freedom now includes the ability of companies to force their religious preferences onto their employees or opt out of any part of a law they simply dont like. Im not too fond of the slippery slope argument, but it must be said: Where do we go from here? What other companies are going to ignore certain laws based on religious belief? The truth is that we probably wont see too many more companies getting to opt out of laws this way, but really - there SHOULD be more companies doing this, right?? I mean if we are going to be fair we have to allow ALL companies an opportunity like this. The problem is that we now have to decide what religious beliefs are important and which ones arent. Justice Ginsburg wrote a 35 PAGE dissenting opinion. Below are a few eloquent highlights that reflect my points above. I stand with her 100%. Would [this ruling] for employers with religiously grounded objections to the use of certain contraceptives extend to employers with religiously grounded objections to blood transfusions (Jehovah’s Witnesses); antidepressants (Scientologists); medications derived from pigs, including anesthesia, intravenous fluids, and pills coated with gelatin (certain Muslims, Jews, and Hindus); and vaccinations (Christian Scientists, among others)? There is an overriding interest, I believe, in keeping the courts out of the business of evaluating the relative merits of differing religious claims … or the sincerity with which an asserted religious belief is held. Indeed, approving some religious claims while deeming others unworthy of accommodations could be perceived as favoring one religion over another. … The Court, I fear, has ventured into a minefield.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:40:01 +0000