February 9, 2012--Sex Wars
As the Obama administration struggles to figure out how to dial back at least a half-step of its new policy that requires all employers to have their health insurance coverage include payments for birth control pills and devices, the Republican presidential contenders are having a field day savaging Obama for his "war on religion."
As I attempted to assess the political implications, Rona wondered out loud if Obama backs off and carves out an exception for Catholic colleges and hospitals would Christian Scientist employers be next in line seeking to be exempt from providing any heath coverage at all since they do not believe in medical intervention because it interferes with God's plans?
And what if a Jewish hospital that gets federal money sought to close its emergency room from sundown on Friday through sundown Saturday since according to traditional Jewish teaching no work must be done on Shabbos? Would they be able to cite in support of this request whatever deal gets struck between the administration and Georgetown University?
"Isn't it true," I asked, "that Jehovah's Witness children who attend public schools are not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or join in singing the National Anthem? Isn't that similar to what some Catholic institutions are seeking?"
"Not exactly," Rona said, "It is not federal law that public schools are required to begin the day that way. It is a school district or state-by-state requirement and the carve-out for Jehovah's Witnesses was determined, I think, by the Supreme Court, just as is the exemption for Quakers not to be require to participate in combat."
"But didn't the Supreme Court also rule that it is unconstitutional to require children to say a morning prayer in public schools?"
"Indeed. But, beyond the current specific controversy, isn't it a reminder that the so-called Culture War is still raging? Just this week we have the contraception controversy, the Ninth Circuit court decision to overturn the California ban on gay marriages, and the Koman Foundation's decision and reversal about its support for Planned Parenthood?"
"We may be getting our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan but these sexual wars--and that's what these are--will go on forever."
"And in the political arena until this week it has been about jobs, jobs, jobs and now 24/7 its contraception, abortions, and gay marriage."
"I need a break," I sighed, "Let's go get a drink."
As I attempted to assess the political implications, Rona wondered out loud if Obama backs off and carves out an exception for Catholic colleges and hospitals would Christian Scientist employers be next in line seeking to be exempt from providing any heath coverage at all since they do not believe in medical intervention because it interferes with God's plans?
And what if a Jewish hospital that gets federal money sought to close its emergency room from sundown on Friday through sundown Saturday since according to traditional Jewish teaching no work must be done on Shabbos? Would they be able to cite in support of this request whatever deal gets struck between the administration and Georgetown University?
"Isn't it true," I asked, "that Jehovah's Witness children who attend public schools are not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or join in singing the National Anthem? Isn't that similar to what some Catholic institutions are seeking?"
"Not exactly," Rona said, "It is not federal law that public schools are required to begin the day that way. It is a school district or state-by-state requirement and the carve-out for Jehovah's Witnesses was determined, I think, by the Supreme Court, just as is the exemption for Quakers not to be require to participate in combat."
"But didn't the Supreme Court also rule that it is unconstitutional to require children to say a morning prayer in public schools?"
"Indeed. But, beyond the current specific controversy, isn't it a reminder that the so-called Culture War is still raging? Just this week we have the contraception controversy, the Ninth Circuit court decision to overturn the California ban on gay marriages, and the Koman Foundation's decision and reversal about its support for Planned Parenthood?"
"We may be getting our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan but these sexual wars--and that's what these are--will go on forever."
"And in the political arena until this week it has been about jobs, jobs, jobs and now 24/7 its contraception, abortions, and gay marriage."
"I need a break," I sighed, "Let's go get a drink."
posted by Steven Zwerling at
5:17 AM
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