Local clergy divided on issues raised by Supreme Court birth control case

March 28--Like the justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, local clergy members are divided on the question of whether businesses are entitled to religious rights.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on a case contending that some parts of the Affordable Care Act violate family-owned companies' rights to religious freedom, specifically those that require businesses to provide certain forms of contraception to employees.

Two businesses, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp., are at the center of the issue.

"We should be alarmed," said Bruce Martin, pastor at Village Baptist Church. "Those who want the freedom to pursue their lifestyle and values are trying to use the government to deny freedom to Christians who want to follow their beliefs and values."

Under the health care law, health insurance plans must offer a range of preventive services at no extra charge, including all forms of birth control for women that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

There are exemptions for churches and nonprofit religious entities such as schools and hospitals that are affiliated with churches. The companies in the case object to covering birth control that they say works after conception.

"If this is allowed, does that mean a Ku Klux Klan member can sue an African-American caterer if they refuse by conscience to cater a KKK event?" Martin asked. "Can Westboro Baptist Church now sue a homosexual printer who refuses by conscience to print their anti-gay hate literature?

"Once we start denying freedom to one set of people, that can be applied across the board."

Martin said he does not think a business making the argument for religious freedom is any different from a person asking for the same right.

"In essence, they are implying that Christians cannot own businesses and be competitive in the marketplace," he said. "This is America. Once you start trampling on freedom of conscience, where's it going to stop?"

Dr. Cureton Johnson of First Baptist Church on Moore Street and the Rev. Donna Fowler-Marchant, minister of pastoral care at First Presbyterian Church, disagree with Martin's perspective.

Johnson said he does not think a corporation has the right to exert its influence on the religious beliefs of its employees.

"I've never seen a corporation voting for anything in my church conference or voting for anything in my pew," he said. "They could come along and say they don't believe in blood transfusions or going to see a doctor. What are you going to say to not seeing a doctor if you're part of that corporation or business?

"That opens Pandora's box, and I think it's absurd."

Fowler-Marchant, who said she was expressing her personal opinions and not speaking on behalf of her church, said she has seen health plans that would not cover some forms of birth control but would cover the total cost of childbirth.

"That seems more of a lifestyle choice than a health care issue," she said. "I think that is the key question. Is it a matter of the people who have their own Christian beliefs, or can they claim it for the whole corporation? I don't think you can, but that's what we're going to be looking at."

Monsignor David Brockman formerly served at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville and is now with the Diocese of Raleigh.

Brockman said no one of the Catholic faith should support the part of the Affordable Care Act that provides drugs or treatments that could cause an abortion.

"That's something for us that is highly morally objectionable," he said. "This is a matter where we agree with Christians who bring litigation to the Supreme Court."

Brockman said he thinks many people are unaware that some forms of contraception lead to abortion.

He said he feels uncertain as to how the opinion will go. A decision is expected by late June, The Associated Press reports.

"We need to wait and see what the final result is," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Staff writer Earl Vaughan Jr. can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3519.

___

(c)2014 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)

Visit The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) at www.fayobserver.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services