Today I am beginning a new semi-regular feature called “Passion News.”  The point is to address important items of news for people seeking to live with a passion for God and compassion for people in response to Christ’s passion for us.

For this first post, we need to consider the Obama administration’s plan to require even religious organizations to include birth control in their health insurance policies.  This is a big problem for Catholic organizations, as the Catholic Church rejects the use of birth control.  But it should also concern anyone who is pro-life, because the birth control that must be included in these policies includes methods that cause abortions.  And it should concern anyone who believes in freedom of religion over anyone’s pet policy whether it be from the left or right.

To learn more, a good place to start is this article from Christianity Today.  You might also check out this FAQ at the Gospel Coalition.  Influential evangelical leaders like Rick Warren and Charles Colson are calling evangelicals to stand with the Catholic Church and have raised the possibility of civil disobedience.  The Catholic Church has pledged not to give in.  Considering that 1 in 6 people in this country use Catholic hospitals, I’m betting that the government will have to give in if the Catholic Church stays firm on this issue.  The Obama administration can hardly fine that many hospitals out of existence – talk about a medical and political nightmare! 

In response to the backlash, President Obama offered what he called a compromise, which does nothing to end the issue or solve the freedom of religion infringement. 

Meanwhile J. E. Dyer at Patheos points out that the more things we want (or allow) the government to control, the less room there is for relious freedom. 

And in the most recent news, a House committee held a hearing to review the administration’s policy, inviting several clery from various religions.  Read this article to see the incredible disdain some of our government officials have for clergy and the freedom of religion.  Compassion for people requires us to act better than these folks.