Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Hobby Lobby: Religious Freedom, Liberty Triumphs over Obamacare Contraception Mandate

By Lauren Leigh Noske
Hobby Lobby Ruling
Hobby Lobby Ruling

The Supreme Court met today to deliver its ruling on Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby, wherein the Christian family-owned business opposed complying with the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate of the Affordable Care Act, which requires that employers provide employees with cost-free contraception and abortive measures. ABC News reports that the 5-4 majority ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby this morning, stating that for-profit, family-owned corporations can choose not to offer such measures to their employees if it would violate the owners' religious beliefs.

A precedent has been set today for opposition to the HHS contraception mandate on basis of a business owner's religious beliefs. Hobby Lobby, along with many other Christian-based organizations, was facing legal ramifications because although their business is not a church or religious organization, the owners held Christian beliefs which go against providing abortive drugs and contraception to their employees.

By choosing not to comply with the contraception mandate, Hobby Lobby would have been fined up to $1 million per day had the Court not ruled in its favor. Fox News reports that Hobby Lobby has been waiting for the verdict since oral arguments were given in March.

Those in favor of the HHS mandate claim that allowing businesses to deny such coverage to employees would be discriminating against women whose beliefs differ than those of their employers, and worry that this case might set precedent for a business to oppose any law on the basis of religious beliefs.

The Supreme Court majority ruled that the contraceptive mandate does violate a corporation's right to freedom of religious expression; they also specified that this freedom of expression is meant for corporations which are owned by few individuals, such as family-operated businesses.

"Today's decision is important because the government regulation [which was] struck down punished the Christian entrepreneur," says Hugh Whelchel, executive director for the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics - "The government's assertion that seeking profit is a completely secular pursuit, and that once we go into business, we lose our religious freedoms in the context of those activities, is fundamentally wrong. We are pleased and relieved today that the nation's highest court ruled in a way that upholds the Christian view of work."

    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