Spreading the word: HHS Mandate

[lifeisbeautiful]

I was reading the letter from Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York (President of USCCB) to the US bishops http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-act...er.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=51472

Here is an excerpt (I added the bolded formatting):

At a recent meeting between staff of the bishops’ conference and the White House staff, our staff members asked directly whether the broader concerns of religious freedom—that is, revisiting the straight-jacketing mandates, or **broadening **the maligned exemption—**are all off the **table. They were informed that they are. So much for “working out the wrinkles.” Instead, they advised the bishops’ conference that **we should listen to the “enlightened” voices of **accommodation, such as the recent, hardly surprising yet terribly unfortunate editorial in America. The White House seems to think we bishops simply do not know or understand Catholic teaching and so, taking a cue from its own definition of religious freedom, now has **nominated its own handpicked official Catholic teachers.

What can we do to help raise awareness of what is happening to friends and family? A lot of good Catholic families are not completely aware of what is going on, or don’t know what they can do. Aside from sharing this letter, and signing the petition, http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm , and praying, praying, praying…are there any other action items you can thing of?
The devil is very smart in using the issue of contraception, one that causes such a run of emotions and is so difficult for many to understand/embrace, the root of so many problems in this world. We need to be vocal, lately I have come to see how pro-choice organizations are so involved and active in social media and pressuring companies and government officials, we need to be more vocal too, but we have to know what we are talking about, be well informed. Any suggestions, ideas, comments, etc?

 

[DulcisAncilla]

I know this isn’t an option for everyone, and it certainly causes considerable stress for me, but I’ve really made a commitment to educating myself on this topic so I can defend it on Facebook. I know, I know, pointless, right? I can’t help it. There is SO MUCH PROPAGANDA in my news feed that I can’t sit by without challenging it. I have absolutely no problem addressing blatant untruths with thoughtful, concise, well-worded and verifiable rebuttals, and I’ve found that people often adjust to a more considerate tone after I do.
For instance, a friend - married in the Church, no less - posts approximately a dozen videos, memes, and Colbert Report clips relating to the HHS Mandate per day, with her accompanying rants about how this is a women’s health issue, 98% of Catholics use contraceptives, millions of women will die without access to contraceptives for medical issues, et cetera. Just before I have a rage stroke from reading all of this, I open a word document, challenge her claims with reliable statistics and links to pertinent documents, and address/explain her misconceptions about the Catholic Church and its stance if necessary. Often it requires a little research and introspection on my part, which is wonderful - then I edit it into a fluid response and post, always thanking her for her “thoughtful discourse.” She has responded amazingly well thus far, and while I don’t expect her to publicly cede to anything I write, I hope it will expand at least one person’s thinking on the topic.
Do note that I do not post inflammatory articles or links of my own, just respond to others’ and point out inconsistencies in their logic, or iterate aspects they may not be considering. And dazzle 'em with stats. Oooh, I love stats

Aside from that, I have been praying and fasting, and asking that the Holy Spirit guide me in navigating conversations and interactions related to the HHS, as well as that He provide me with opportunities to do so. I’m eager to see what other suggestions this thread can give me!

 

[Anniejoe]

One suggestion I would make is to consistently use the more accurate term “birth control” since this mandate goes far beyond contraception. Many protestants are opposed to abortifacient forms of birth control, even if they do not oppose contraception. I think the present administration is using the term contraception to try to “divide and conquer”. Make it clear to those you speak with this is an issue for many religious traditions, not just Catholics, because it includes methods that kill children after conception.

 

[mark_a]

One suggestion I would make is to consistently use the more accurate term “birth control” since this mandate goes far beyond contraception. Many protestants are opposed to abortifacient forms of birth control, even if they do not oppose contraception.

Can you give us some examples where Protestant Church teaching condemns abortifacient birth control?

I ask because abortifacient effects of the pill are roundly and routinely poo-pooed by Protestants on these forums.

Thanks!

 

[Anniejoe]

Can you give us some examples where Protestant Church teaching condemns abortifacient birth control?

I ask because abortifacient effects of the pill are roundly and routinely poo-pooed by Protestants on these forums.

Thanks!

Sorry, Mark, I wasn’t aware of that. I think that information is very new to many of us (I am a convert who spent a lot of years as a protestant). I only learned about the abortifacient properties of the BCP myself about a year ago. But, I’ve told everyone I know, and they were all appalled…but that’s just anecdotal evidence. Aside from BCPs, there is Plan B, Ella, and IUDs. I have read some comments by protestant pastors who are supporting the fight against the mandate saying they do not support birth control that acts as an abortifacient.

Even if what you say is a universally held view by protestants, even more reason to point out that birth control includes lots of methods that kill children in the womb. There’s room for education on the issue, in my opinion.

 

[mark_a]

**

Sorry, Mark, I wasn’t aware of that. I think that information is very new to many of us (I am a convert who spent a lot of years as a protestant).

Welcome home!!!

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

I know this isn’t an option for everyone, and it certainly causes considerable stress for me, but I’ve really made a commitment to educating myself on this topic so I can defend it on Facebook. I know, I know, pointless, right? I can’t help it. There is SO MUCH PROPAGANDA in my news feed that I can’t sit by without challenging it. I have absolutely no problem addressing blatant untruths with thoughtful, concise, well-worded and verifiable rebuttals, and I’ve found that people often adjust to a more considerate tone after I do.
For instance, a friend - married in the Church, no less - posts approximately a dozen videos, memes, and Colbert Report clips relating to the HHS Mandate per day, with her accompanying rants about how this is a women’s health issue, 98% of Catholics use contraceptives, millions of women will die without access to contraceptives for medical issues, et cetera. Just before I have a rage stroke from reading all of this, I open a word document, challenge her claims with reliable statistics and links to pertinent documents, and address/explain her misconceptions about the Catholic Church and its stance if necessary. Often it requires a little research and introspection on my part, which is wonderful - then I edit it into a fluid response and post, always thanking her for her “thoughtful discourse.” She has responded amazingly well thus far, and while I don’t expect her to publicly cede to anything I write, I hope it will expand at least one person’s thinking on the topic.
Do note that I do not post inflammatory articles or links of my own, just respond to others’ and point out inconsistencies in their logic, or iterate aspects they may not be considering. And dazzle 'em with stats. Oooh, I love stats

Aside from that, I have been praying and fasting, and asking that the Holy Spirit guide me in navigating conversations and interactions related to the HHS, as well as that He provide me with opportunities to do so. I’m eager to see what other suggestions this thread can give me!

Actually I think you have a good point, and I agree it isn’t for everyone. I went back and forth with someone yesterday (I had created one of those ecards and posted it on my facebook, she shared it, but to be critical of it, and we went back and forth amicably, but it ended with our agreeing that we aren’t going to agree with each other. Usually other people chime in, but it was a pretty silent thread.) But yes, I do think we need to educate ourselves with unbiased facts (sometimes hard to come by) and pray that the Holy Spirit guides us, not our pride nor our anger/feelings. We don’t want to make things worse because we got into something we didn’t prepare for, but I do see that Facebook is being used, a lot, by the pro-choice etc group, and I think we need a presence as well. I think it is awesome that you are doing that!

One suggestion I would make is to consistently use the more accurate term “birth control” since this mandate goes far beyond contraception. Many protestants are opposed to abortifacient forms of birth control, even if they do not oppose contraception. I think the present administration is using the term contraception to try to “divide and conquer”. Make it clear to those you speak with this is an issue for many religious traditions, not just Catholics, because it includes methods that kill children after conception.

Thank you, that is something that I had not even though about, good point, to be aware of this.

Sorry, Mark, I wasn’t aware of that. I think that information is very new to many of us (I am a convert who spent a lot of years as a protestant). I only learned about the abortifacient properties of the BCP myself about a year ago. But, I’ve told everyone I know, and they were all appalled…but that’s just anecdotal evidence. Aside from BCPs, there is Plan B, Ella, and IUDs. I have read some comments by protestant pastors who are supporting the fight against the mandate saying they do not support birth control that acts as an abortifacient.

Even if what you say is a universally held view by protestants, even more reason to point out that birth control includes lots of methods that kill children in the womb. There’s room for education on the issue, in my opinion.

Great point as well!

As someone else mentioned, this is giving a great opportunity to educate others with the Truth, but how we do it really matters, we need to pray about it and educate ourselves, and be as loving as charitable as we can!

 

[MomaMary8]

Here is another article you may be interested in reading. It debunks the myth of this HHS mandate being about women’s health:

The article is by Maureen Pratt and is on page 4

issuu.com/ampsinc/docs/030212.dialog?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

The article discusses all the health threats that women face but are not covered at 100% like they wish to do with birth control and abortion inducing drugs.

St. Michael Pray for Us!