[Update] The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement on Obama's so-called "accommodation": Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action on Religious Liberty
[Update] "Unacceptable — former Vatican Ambassador, Prof. Robert George, others respond."
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, filed under latest news releases, headlines with "Obama's Ploy Adds Insult To Injury," with a public statement on Obama's so called "compromise" on his attack on religious freedom by claiming he is "accommodating" religious groups' freedom to their religious beliefs and practices.Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on President Obama’s revised healthcare plan as it affects Catholic institutions:
President Obama’s latest ploy just adds insult to injury. If the insurance plan of a Catholic institution must cover services it deems immoral, then such a healthcare plan is offensive, plain and simple.
The Catholic League, for example, uses Christian Brothers as its insurance carrier. So if a future employee of ours were to demand free abortion-inducing drugs, and she is allowed to request free drugs from Christian Brothers, then the rest of us would, in effect, be subsidizing her abortion. This is outrageous and will not stand judicial scrutiny.
When it comes to the First Amendment, there is no such thing as a half loaf. We want now, and in the future, the same rights we have enjoyed since the beginning of the republic.
The Obama ploy is also cynical: its effect is to peel off liberal Catholic opposition to Obamacare. In other words, the old divide and conquer strategy is in play. But it won’t work as nicely as they think: there are too many practicing Catholics who will only be impelled to revolt.
Obama has decided to turn up the heat. He’ll soon see how hot things get when Catholics team with Protestants, Jews, Mormons and others to recapture their First Amendment rights. Indeed, President Obama will now be remembered as the president who brought the culture war to a boil.
Obama has come under attack for his culture war with his war on religion from Hispanics, religious groups backing Catholics and their right to religious freedom and practicing their religion in a manner consistent with their beliefs, such as the National Association of Evangelicals, the the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Agudath Israel of America, the the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod , the the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Southern Baptist Convention, along with conservative lawmakers and even some Senate Democrats.
First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Here is a question: Since when is a constitutional right, the First Amendment, something that any lawmaker, including the president, have the right to offer an "accommodation" or "compromise" on.
It is a right, not a privilege.
Related:
Religious Freedom Lawsuits Against Obama's s Abortion Drug And Contraception Mandate
Catholic Churches And Bishop of Marquette Punch Back At Obama's War On Religion
Catholic League Prepared To Fight Back Against Obama's War On Religion