Christian Groups tell Supreme Court Federal Abortion-Contraception Mandate Violates Religious Beliefs

By Julie Brown Patton
3222366
More religious organizations this week are urging the Supreme Court to rule that requirements of the 2011 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) abortion/contraception mandate infringe upon religious freedoms. Reuters

Christians are forced to violate either their religious beliefs or the government's rules, due to the current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) abortion/contraception mandate, Southern Baptist entities told U.S. Supreme Court judges through a friend-of-the-court brief filed Monday.

The brief was issued by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the International Mission Board (IMB) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Southern Baptist's president R. Albert Mohler Jr. urged the high court to rule that the "controversial" federal regulation infringes on religious freedom, reports Baptist Press.

Released in support of the 2010 health-care reform law, the abortion/contraception mandate requires employers to provide for their workers contraceptives, intrauterine devices and drugs, such as Plan B, the "morning-after" pill, that can potentially cause abortions. Employers who do not abide can face fines.

Supreme Court justices consolidated seven cases involving a variety of religious, nonprofit organizations that have challenged the requirement but lost at the appeals court level. Among the challengers are several Southern Baptist institutions, including GuideStone Financial Resources, reports Baptist Press. GuideStone is exempt from the mandate and accompanying fines, but it serves ministries that face hefty penalties for failure to obey the rule.

Oral arguments for the combined case, which is consolidated under the title Zubik v. Burwell, are not yet scheduled but are thought to be likely to be heard during March or April. The court is expected to issue its opinion before its term ends, which normally is in late June.

ERLC President Russell Moore said this combined case will be "pivotal in maintaining soul freedom for all people."

The "issue" as framed in Supreme Court language is:  "Whether the HHS contraceptive-coverage mandate and its 'accommodation' violate the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act by forcing religious nonprofits to act in violation of their sincerely held religious beliefs, when the government has not proven that this compulsion is the least restrictive means of advancing any compelling interest."

Zubik v. Burwell was consolidated with:

These cases are among 56 involving religious, nonprofit organizations that object to the rule issued in 2011 by HHS. HHS provided an exemption to the rule for churches and their auxiliaries but did not extend it to non-church-related, nonprofit organizations that object. It issued an accommodation for religious nonprofits, but many of those ministries or institutions have found it unacceptable. They contend it still makes them complicit in covering contraceptives and potentially abortion-causing drugs cites Baptist Press.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories