United for freedom of conscience against government intrusion

By Rev. Chris Arch and Rev. Michael Phillips

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Did you hear the one about the Catholic priest and evangelical pastor who decided to write an article together? The question almost sounds like the start of another corny faith-based joke.

Far from being funny, this statement describes our desire to write an article showing Christian solidarity in the face of a potentially dangerous intrusion by the government into areas of personal faith and practice.

Recently, the Obama administration announced it would not expand exemptions for religiously affiliated organizations when it comes to health insurance. Although churches would be exempt, religious institutions such as hospitals, colleges and charities will be required to provide health care coverage to employees that would include subsidized contraception, sterilization and coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, all of which are repugnant to Catholics and some of which are to Protestants.

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, in her statement about the administration’s decision, said there is evidence birth control “has significant health benefits for women and their families….” And although this view flies in the face of Catholic theology, the Obama administration has given Catholic institutions a year to figure out how to either violate their collective conscience or close down shop!

While the vast majority of Protestant Evangelicals don’t have a problem with contraception, every individual of faith must ask him or herself, “What religious conviction will I be forced to abandon one day?” and “When that day comes, will I want other individuals to stand alongside of me or will I want to stand alone?”

We choose to stand together on this issue.

Although not perfect, let’s consider a fictitious analogy that may illustrate the administration’s demands on all Catholic and some Protestant institutions. Suppose the same Department of Health and Human Services came out with a study extolling the value of eating pork. Pork is nutritious and tasty. Pork is an excellent source of protein. Now, suppose this agency would require that in light of such evidence, all Muslim and kosher Jewish delis must serve pork products, justifying their case that certain Jews and Muslims don’t keep dietary law and that folks from outside of these two faiths occasionally visit such restaurants. Such a ruling wouldn’t technically prohibit Jews or Muslims from owning delis, yet it would effectively make it impossible to do so without violating one’s conscience.

A governmental-imposed violation of one’s conscience is what is at stake in Sebelius’ and President Barack Obama’s health care ruling. This is a clear violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment guarantees the religious freedom of people of all faiths from government interference: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Does President Obama really want to see 629 Catholic hospitals closed and 750,000 employees fired? Who will provide care for the 19 million emergency room visitors and 100 million outpatients who sought attention in Catholic hospitals in 2010?

If he does not, then the president must rescind this mandate, allowing for religious liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Until then, we will stand united for freedom of conscience.

Rev. Chris Arch is senior pastor of the Good News Bible Church, Iowa City, an independent, evangelical congregation which he has served for over 15 years. Comments: chrisarch@goodnews

iowacity.com

Rev. Michael Phillips has been pastor at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Iowa City, for 12 years, and he has a total of 43 years of pastoral experience. Comments: wencic@mchsi.com