Hobby Lobby, a privately owned arts and craft store, is undergoing
a legal battle in the US Supreme Court. The latest hurdle for the Obama
Administration with its health care overhaul, the issue stems from whether corporations
can cite religious beliefs to remove certain types of contraceptive services
from employee health care coverage.
Hobby Lobby argued its case at the Supreme Court last week. Image: Shutterstock |
Hobby Lobby President Steven Green has stated, “We believe
that the principles that are taught scripturally is what we should operate our
lives by…and so we cannot be a part of taking a life.”
An
opposing view from the Justice Department states in its briefs that the
government wouldn’t be able to function if religious objections could be the
basis for corporations who refuse to comply with laws.
However, in 1993, Congress passed the Religious Freedom
Restoration Act, which cited if a law imposes a substantial burden on the free
exercise of religion, it has to meet a high level for justification. This
stemmed from a 1990 case involving the use of peyote as a part of ceremonies
held by Native Americans, who argued they could use the illegal hallucinogen as
part of spiritual rituals.
Hobby Lobby’s owners have stated that certain types of
contraception infringe upon their Christian beliefs. While Hobby Lobby says
they wish to provide insurance for their employees, the fine given to them for
opting out is $26 million a year—less than what the corporation currently
spends on insurance.
The case itself has ignited a public and social media debate.
The Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case,
trial and pending decision has taken to Twitter; new hashtags such as
#NotMyBossBusiness and #ReligiousFreedomForAll cropped up before and during the
Supreme Court oral arguments last week, creating significant chatter around the
issue and pending decision.
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