The Catholic bishops have revealed their true agenda, and it is precisely what I feared. They are not going to be happy until contraception is completely removed from the healthcare plan. But the question remains: if you can violate state and federal labor law because your organization is owned by a religious institution  whose beliefs do not coincide with the law, what is to prevent a MEMBER of that religion from refusing to obey state and federal labor laws? Doesn't it violate their religious beliefs as well?  If the first example is "anti-first amendment," why isn't the second? But of course, under that argument, they are both violations. So what's to prevent a Jehovah's Witness who owns a company from refusing to pay for blood transfusions? Or for a Christian Scientist from refusing to pay ALL health insurance? What prevents anyone who believes that homosexuality is a sin from discriminating against LGBT people in hiring or health care insurance practices? What prevents a Hindu from refusing to hire anyone who eats beef, since they consider cows sacred?

The fact of the matter is that this ruling is not a violation of First Amendment rights AT ALL, since the Catholic Church always has the option of NOT running hospitals or colleges, of NOT receiving federal funds. As they are fond of saying to those of us (nonbelievers) who work at their institutions, "If you don't like it, you can leave." Well, back at ya, bishops: If you don't like labor laws that protect the health rights of women, feel free to get out of the business of health care or education and stick to your churches. In fact, rather than worrying about what women are doing with their reproductive organs, why don't you focus on what your priests are doing with little children in the rectories? Sorry to bring up a touchy subject, but the hypocrisy is stunning.

 The notion that the health care rule was "anti-first amendment" is just plain sloppy interpretation. You cannot do whatever you want in this country under the blanket protect of First Amendment freedoms. Ask any Native American who attempted to use peyote as a part of their religious practice. You cannot discriminate against black people just because your religion tells you that races should not mingle. Your beliefs are inviolate, but your actions are subject to the same laws as everyone else.

 I work in a Catholic institution where similar conversations have taken place over other issues. The Catholic retort of last resort is, "You knew this was a Catholic institution when you started working here. If you don't like it, you can leave." This is the easy out, but it's also one rife with hypocrisy, since the fact of the matter is that these Catholic institutions could not survive if, indeed, all of the non-Catholics decided to leave. There are not enough Catholic professors to teach all the courses, not enough Catholic doctors to perform all the surgeries, nor, I daresay, not enough Catholic custodians to sweep all the hallways. These institutions depend on the support of non-Catholics. We deserve a little respect in return.

 Furthermore, the very definition of "Catholic belief" depends entirely on to whom you are speaking. When a couple of my Catholic coworkers pulled the "If you don't like it, you can leave" retort on me, I was quick to ask, "Tell me something: how many Catholic women do you know who DON'T use birth control?" Heads were lowered, the self-satisfied stare gone, replaced by the guilty admission that no one, NO ONE, believes that the bishops know what they are talking about when it comes to contraception.

 So please, spare me your specious "first amendment" arguments. Show a little respect for people with whom you disagree, and spend a little time removing the log in your own eye before you go looking for the mote in your brother's, or sister's.