To the editor:
So President Barack Obama apologized to Afghanistan for the burning of their holy Quran, as it is a disregard for the Muslim faith.
I would just like to ask him where is that same regard for the Catholic faith when it comes to the HHS mandate that all private health care plans must provide coverage of services that violate that religion's teaching? Now let me ask you readers a question. Would you support being mandated to have to pay for the weapon with which someone is going to use to commit a crime? I didn't think so, as this would violate your conscience. This is what Catholic hospitals, universities and charities are facing if this HHS mandate is enforced.
Folks, whether or not you agree that the services in question (contraceptives, sterilizations, abortifacients) are right or wrong, it is imperative that you call, e-mail or write your U.S. representatives to pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act to preserve our First Amendment rights. If the religious liberty granted to us through the Constitution is taken away now, it will just get easier for the current administration to proceed on with the next erosion of our constitutional rights.
Please act today to encourage all Senate and House members to pass this very important bill. Remember, it was Karl Marx, author of "The Communist Manifesto" who wrote, "The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion." If this HHS law is allowed to stand, we are one step closer to that end.
Carol Miller
Martins Ferry
