When the Left goes too far

One of the greatest strengths of the Left is its acceptance of other peoples’ beliefs. One of my biggest gripes about the Right is their notion that everyone else should be forced to believe like they do.

Today, however, the Obama administration announced that church-affiliated institutions (nonprofit institutions such as church-affiliated hospitals, colleges, and social service agencies) will have to cover free birth control for employees.

First, let me acknowledge what’s right about it. I would venture to say that most Americans believe in some form of birth control. I also believe that birth control has many scientific advantages including (obviously) preventing conception, minimizing periods, balancing emotions due to hormone-changes, and improving judgment of potential mates.

I also believe that there are many employees of such institutions that are paying out-of-pocket for such services and suffering financially because of it while others are going without and having to pay for the extra (emotional and financial) expenses associated with child birth and raising a child.

On the other hand, you should not force someone to pay for something that violates their religious beliefs. We make exceptions for religion all of the time. We make exceptions for military drafts because of religious beliefs. We don’t force doctors to participate in capital punishment when they don’t believe in it.

While we allow people to live their lives according to their creeds as long as they bring no harm to themselves or anyone else, we don’t force them to participate in activities that violate those beliefs. While I’m all for people being able to do what they want, it is not the responsibility of anyone else to give it to them either.

Essentially, this is what the government is asking these nonprofits to do.

Additionally, it does no good to complain about the fairness of the situation. Whether you believe that these organizations are right or wrong, I’m also concerned about the effects. For one, these organizations aren’t going to just break their principles. Instead, they will stop offering insurance altogether. And if more laws like this pass or become more far-reaching, the organizations will close altogether. Many of our social services are provided by religious organizations and it is a shame and burden on this country to cause them to fail.

To read the full article I’m referring to, see Feds: Religious employers must cover the pill
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46076912/ns/health-womens_health/t/feds-religious-employers-must-cover-pill/