Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Can a government force a Church or individual to do something that violates their principles and convictions? Here are two articles that look at the issue in the USA where Obamacare regulations will force Catholic institutions to provide free contraceptive coverage. Irrespective of the specifics of this issue (birth control) which according to most polls Catholics support individually, it does seem to violate the principle of separation of Church and State. What do you think? Catholics cross with Obama over birth-control coverage - Glenn Thrush - POLITICO.com White House denies health-care mandate violates Catholic consciences

If this story is accurate, it reveals an amazing change in public policy. Up to now, governments offered (directly or indirectly) financial support for the procreation of the generation to follow. Now it is doing the opposite. Strange when you consider the requirement of a sufficiently expanding population to maintain pension and other social programs. Demographic trends demonstrate that the past two generations have failed to have enough children to accomplish the task. It makes little sense to implement a policy which will serve to discourage couples having children into the future. Secret Planned Parenthood Memo: Stop Maternity Coverage | LifeNews.com