HOBBY LOBBY IS DUE TO HIT THE SUPREME COURT SEEKING RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION
On March 25, 2014, Hobby Lobby, a national chain of over 600 plus stores, founded over 40 years by a Christian family (HobbyLobby.com, 2014), will be appearing in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. As a Christian based company, Hobby Lobby is transparent in its views and is proud to show it. The Christian based retailer is not open on Sunday in observation the Lord ’s Day, they pay their employer far above the national minimum wage at an average $14 per hour according to News Week, (2014). Hobby Lobby is one of two companies in the case. The Supreme Court will be deciding whether companies like Hobby Lobby have the freedom to exercise Biblical believes that violate the Obamacare’s requirement to include coverage such as abortion in their employee healthcare programs. The founders of Hobby Lobby are seeking religious exemption from the Obamacare. If Hobby Lobby were to lose this battle and they choose to ignore the requirements imposed by Obamacare the company will be fined up to $100 dollars per employee. These fees could cost Hobby Lobby over million dollars per year.
The questions I am asking myself is –isn’t this the same reason America was founded? To be free to exercise your own religious beliefs, and to pursue a life? Yes, indeed these are two of main core principles America was founded. So, when did it become ok for society to allow the government to put limits on these two very basic fundamental rights? I am not sure. I don’t think I will ever be able to pinpoint when America started down this slippery slope of saying that just because a company forms a corporation that they have to turn their backs on the very moral beliefs that make them who they are.
I leave you with these final thoughts, while it is my hope that Hobby Lobby wins this fight, if not for themselves and the Biblical believes they support, but for the people that they employ, because to find a job in our economy is rough and to find a company that supports the Lord ’s Day is rare. If Hobby Lobby is to lose this fight the prospect of all the fines will ultimately jeopardize more lives and jobs than any benefit society might see by enforcing the requirements of the Obamacare. Unfortunately, the verdict from the Supreme Court is not expected to be released until late May to sometime in June, 2014.
#HobbyLobby, #SupremeCourt, #Obamacare,
