Progressive religious and human rights groups today gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina, site of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and called on the Democratic National Committee to “stand up for people of faith and [of] no faith and not allow conservative politicians and religious leaders to redefine the meaning of religious liberty.” Both during and [...]
Headscarf and veil bans—however they are expressed in law—raise numerous red flags for those who care about human rights.
The recent Huffington Post article by Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops tells us quite a bit about the veracity of the USCCB’s claims that religious freedom is under attack in the United States.
Is this the House’s answer to the Senate’s Blunt Amendment?
What we know, and what the bishops missed, is that religious freedom deserves more than a fortnight—and it’s about protecting more than the interests of a small group of men whose demands don’t reflect the needs and desires of the people they claim to represent.
We are witnessing the rebirth of Christian religious fundamentalism in America, and the “Fortnight for Freedom” is a manifestation of the intolerance and repressiveness that grow out of such extremist movements.
The bishops’ recent actions show that they believe in unlimited freedom for themselves, but only the freedom they are willing to allow for the rest of us.
The bishops are correct: religious freedom is one of our most treasured liberties. But we have the right to a government that neither promotes nor disparages religion generally, nor any particular faith.
A requirement that health insurance plans cover birth control with no co-pay will take effect in August. Contrary to recent criticism, the new rule balances religious liberty with the need to protect women’s health and expand access to needed care.
The Affordable Care Act offers greater care to more people at lower cost as a nation. Cardinal Dolan’s plan would thwart that goal by keeping the overall pool of participants smaller and continue to drive health care costs up. In the end, he is asking Catholics and non Catholics alike to pay more.
