I must agree with a colleague who says that he can’t look at that picture without thinking of Teddy Rosevelt.
Let’s hope he uses the Congressional hearing table as a “bully pulpit!”
This could use a general Lutheran ping.
What’s the big deal? … Or why Lutheran Christians should care about the HHS Birth Control Mandate.
You may have been hearing a lot in the news about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent decision to require nearly all private health plans, including those offered by religious employers, to cover all forms of birth control. This mandate includes all birth control (even those which work post-conception and can cause the death of a baby developing in the womb). Contrary to the language heard in the media, these products are NOT contraception because they can operate after conception to destroy the developing baby in the womb. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) objects to the use of drugs and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception.
We see this as not only a pro-life issue but also an affront to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This mandate is an infringement of our religious liberties, because never before has our government required religious institutions to obey a course of action that clearly goes against our biblical and moral beliefs.
In response to an immediate outcry, President Obama presented a compromise on this mandate. After rigorous study and consultation with other concerned Christian denominations, we have determined that the compromise did not address any of our previous concerns, and we remain opposed to this mandate, which runs counter to the biblical truth of the sanctity of human life.
So what has been done and what do we do?
• You can learn more about the LCMS response to this matter and read the statements sent to some 3,500 newspaper, television and radio reporters across the country from LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison by logging on to www.lcms.org/hhsmandate.
• We encourage you to do what you can to add your voice to those of the many others concerned about the implications of the mandate. Please contact your elected leaders and help us create awareness by sharing President Harrison’s statements with others in your circle of influence.
“ For freedom of religion extends beyond simply our houses of worship; we must be free to put our faith into action in the public square, and in response to Christ’s call as we demonstrate His mercy through our love and compassion for all people, of all ages of life.”
– The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod