Feb. 7, 2012 - New regulations announced by Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius that require insurance coverage of birth control and other contraceptive services for employees of religious institutions are drawing a firestorm of opposition. American Atheists has pointed out that critics, including former Gov. Mitt Romney and the Catholic League, are playing fast and loose with the truth.
"Faith groups and the religious right are trying to turn this into an attack on 'religious freedom,'" said American Atheist President Dave Silverman. "No one is compelling any religious person to use birth control against their wishes. This is about fair health coverage for the tens of thousands of people -- many of them non-Catholic -- who work for Catholic or other faith institutions."
Silverman added : "These people workers deserve the same insurance coverage and protections as employees of secular institutions. "You don't get to break the law just because you think your god wants you too. Everyone gets the same rights in this country, everyone, even the churches, should have the same responsibilities""
Blair Scott, Communications Director for American Atheists, pointed out that many faith-based social agencies, including Catholic hospitals, eagerly accept government funding. "They should play by the same rules as everyone else," said Mr. Scott. "There should not be no special exemptions for a religious groups, including the Roman Catholic Church, from regulations that protect rights for employees.
Mr. Scott added, "The Catholic League and even Presidential hopeful Gov. Mitt Romney are misinforming the public and making it seem that religious people are having their right to worship violated. This is about equal protection, not religious freedom."
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization that defends civil rights for Atheists and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church-mosque-temple and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. www.americanatheists.org
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