Mark Shea on Why We May Fight the HHS Mandate…

Last updated on: January 24, 2017 at 5:54 pm by Frank Weathers

Mark Shea on Why We May Fight the HHS Mandate… 2017-01-24T17:54:49-05:00 Frank Weathers

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A reader asked Mark how the HHS Mandate is any different than paying our taxes and watching the government waste them on all kinds of things Catholics may find unjust and wasteful. They wondered how the HHS Mandate is any different from this. Mark’s reply clears things up for those who are still sitting on the sidelines.

A reader writes:

I have had some debates with a friend regarding the HHS Mandate. He claims that Catholics shouldn’t be in such an uproar regarding the mandate given the newest changes by the Obama administration to require the insurance companies to offer contraception at no cost to the Catholic institution or business. His argument is that it is no different than him paying taxes for wars that he doesnt agree with and finds morally objectionable and contrary to his beliefs.

Is the latest form of the mandate the same as tax payer dollars being used for morally objectionable wars or even abortion? Either way it seems like you are paying indirectly for things that you might not agree with. My friend’s comparison between the two situations have me at a loss for what the difference is between the two situations. IS there a difference?

No. It’s not the same. Our taxpayer dollars have been paying for all sorts immorality, including unjust wars, abortion and contraceptives, and the Church, though it urges a change of policy in such matters, has never mounted the sort of resistance we now see being directed against the HHS Mandate. Why? Because with taxes, the State, though it may mishandle money, nonethless has a legitimate role in providing for the common good that outweighs the inefficiency and corruption that often accompanies government. So Paul, for instance, urges, the Romans to pay their taxes — even when the Emperor is Nero (Romans 13).

But the HHS mandate is not taking from a fungible pool of tax dollars providing for the common good and spending it badly. Rather, it is ordering — targeting, really — Catholic institutions and commanding them to do something specifically repugnant to their conscience and threatening to destroy them financially and legally if they do not comply. The entire and sole point of the HHS Mandate is to make open and naked war against the Church and punish her for her beliefs about sexual morality. The Church has a duty to resist such an act of war against her teaching.

Read the rest and remember: our government has never turned it’s sights onto the religious freedoms guaranteed it’s citizenry until now. Remember how Henry VIII destroyed the monasteries in England? Danny Boyle missed sharing that episode in his opening ceremonies for the XXX Olympiad. Here’s a reminder…

Previous Post

July 27, 2012

Ultimate Gearhead Coolness: A Formula One Race Car Cut in Half

Next Post

July 29, 2012 What Would President Obama's Second Term Look Like?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog News Conversion Story Culture Learning Living Nature Prayer Uncategorized Working

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to 1 John, what commandment have we had from the beginning?

Select your answer to see how you score.

To keep the Sabbath holy To believe in Jesus Christ To love one another To forgive our enemies