The Canary in the Culture (HHS mandate shows how Obama's government defines everyone's morality)

American Thinker ^ | 02/04/2013 | Tom Trinko

[SeekAndFind]

In the olden days miners brought canaries into mines because canaries were very sensitive to toxic fumes and would keel over quickly, giving the miners time to escape before they were rendered unconscious.

The HHS mandate is serving a similar function in modern American culture. It's making it clear that liberals believe in an all-powerful government, not the government empowered by the people that is enshrined in the Constitution.

Historically in America, the government has rarely collided with the religious beliefs of even extreme groups. A few exceptions, such as Mormon polygamy, were based on common values shared by the vast majority of Americans.

This lack of conflict was in great part due to the limited scope of government. If you were to bring an American from 1929, or even the middle of the New Deal, to modern America, he'd be shocked and probably appalled by the extent of government control over the lives of average Americans; historically very few Americans would have thought that the government had the right to define what sort of grocery bag a store provides, for example.

But as the tendrils of government extend into an ever-increasing number of aspects of day-to-day life the probability of conflicts with peoples' moral codes grows. In the past the right to practice one's belief was taken very seriously. Even in conflicts viewed by Americans as existential, such as the Civil War and World War II, the rights of those whose faith called them to pacifism to not have to serve in combat roles, other than as medical support personnel, were recognized.

Yet the core of the HHS mandate, even with the latest attempt at a draft accommodation, presumes that only religious organizations have the right to exercise their religious beliefs.

[Diogenesis]

Not everyone. All are NOT equal under this "Law".

Congress, their staff, and Moslems, are immune
to it and the death panels and taxes from it.
And are they happy, happy, happy.

"Pay your taxes and die already, stupid dhimmis."

[andyk]

Yet the core of the HHS mandate, even with the latest attempt at a draft accommodation, presumes that only religious organizations have the right to exercise their religious beliefs.

Very well said.

These questions would be moot if we didn't allow government to tell businesses what services they must offer, nor allow guv to tell individuals what services they must purchase.

[circlecity]

"the core of the HHS mandate, even with the latest attempt at a draft accommodation, presumes that only religious organizations have the right to exercise their religious beliefs."

I don't see how this can stand. Either nobody can assert their religious rights under this mandate or everybody can. The government can't pick and choose who has the abilityt to assert their 1st amendment rights.

[ansel12]

Historically in America, the government has rarely collided with the religious beliefs of even extreme groups. A few exceptions, such as Mormon polygamy, were based on common values shared by the vast majority of Americans.

The feds moved against the Mormons in the 1860s.