
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of Hobby Lobby, a private retail chain owned by a Christian family, challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) contraceptives mandate that violates the religious freedom of scores of Americans. Hobby Lobby’s lawsuit is unique because it is the first non-Catholic-owned private business to challenge the mandate.
David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby, penned an op-ed explaining the company’s challenge to the mandate: “My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is going to make that much more difficult. The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that’s a choice no American — and no American business — should have to make.” On August 1, 2012, the HHS mandate took effect that requires most employers to sponsor employee health plans that that cover abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraceptives—services directly violate many employers’ religious beliefs.
The Greens, like many Americans, wish to operate their private business in a manner that is consistent with their faith. Unless it is altered or overturned, the HHS mandate will force these individuals to choose between acting in accordance with their religious beliefs on one hand, and complying with a government mandate on the other. In 1809 Thomas Jefferson proclaimed, “No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.” Jefferson’s words are as true today as they were more than 200 years ago, and Members of the Prayer Caucus will continue working to ensure that Americans are not forced to leave their faith at home when they enter the public square.
To read the op-ed by David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby, click here: http://ow.ly/dIQpb
To track all the religious liberty lawsuits filed against the HHS mandate, click here: http://ow.ly/ddrMV
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Contact the Congressional Prayer Caucus Amy Vitale, Amy.Vitale@mail.house.gov