I am very glad to see you are engaging in the discussion! This is certainly a timely and sensitive matter that American citizens - and Christians in particular - need to be made aware of.

Both of these matters boil down to the issue itself. While tax money does go to support Planned Parenthood, government money (so far) has not directly funded abortion. Surely, those involved in the Beckett Case would rather their tax money NOT go to support Planned Parenthood, as many would likely not want their money to go to pay for war, or certain politicians salary, or many other government projects. However, they are submitting to the authorities God has allowed to be placed in their government and "Rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar's."

However, as Christians we must stand when the authorities over us are in fault of forcing us to betray God's commands. Abortion is taking a life. You brought up a GREAT point with the employees of these organizations. If one of these employees was fired for taking an abortive drug, that organization would be sued, and rightly so. The organization cannot mandate how their employees live in their personal life. None of these organizations seem to be asking to prevent their employees from taking abortive drugs (though certainly they would all hope the employees would choose life.) But the government is mandating that these organizations PAY for the employees abortive drugs.

Let us put ourselves in the situation. We go into business and the Lord grants us success. We honor him by running our business based on Biblical principles. Then we decide we are going to have our employees say "God bless you" as customers leave the way Chick-Fil-A always says "My pleasure." Then, there is a mandate you can't say "God" unless you say "Buddha, Mohammed, and all other deities." That would be a violation of our rights. How much more severe when it comes to an issue as cruel as abortion.

It is not a political agenda, it is a Kingdom of Christ agenda. As believers, we are called to engage the world. We are not seeking to gain some political advantage to force all Americans to go to church on Sundays. However, when it comes to the slaughter of millions of innocent children in the womb we MUST take a stand. I believe we will give an account for how we fought this battle before God. May we fight the good fight.

Grace and peace,

Michael

Second, I am a bit confused about the nature of the objection that the organizations have to the Mandate. Someone could work, say, for Hobby Lobby or Wheaton College and use their paycheck for birth control or abortion services. This does not violate the conscience of those in the organizations (I take it) because it is the individual’s decision to seek those potentially immoral services and the organization does not claim authority over the individual’s use of their compensation so long as it is legal etc. How is it any different when the insurance provided by those organizations offers birth control and abortion services? So again, wouldn’t the actually consistent position here be one where religious organizations could fire their employees for any use of their compensation that is perceived as immoral by the organization? Either that, or allow that the Mandate doesn’t really violate the conscience of those in religious organizations—at least not in any new and especially objectionable way--right?

You say access to healthcare like someone is trying to stop women from having life saving procedures like heart surgery or cancer treatment. Killing an unwanted baby is not healthcare.

Hormones that regulate a woman's cycle are the not the same as abortion inducing drugs. As a woman, I really think you need to educate yourself on it.

The same people that want women to have the freedom to kill their babies do NOT want them to have an ultrasound so that they can make an informed decision. Healthcare as long as you make the decisions that they want you to make.

(using your intro...) Wait a minute? When did the gospel of Jesus Christ's saving redemption render us at odd with participating in civics as responsible citizens? It didn't. Nice try though.

Spare us the lecture on how we Christians shouldn't be involved in polititcs. Oh, wait, you said "right wing" politics. Now we see. You just get rankled at Christians involved in "right wing" politics, but -- and this is nearly always the case -- you're just dandy with "Christians" supporting leftist politics, eh?

You wrote: "No wonder christians are leaving churches in droves." This is laughable. The "churches" that are dying are liberal mainline denominations -- PCUCA, UMC, etc. -- that abandoned truth, holiness and morality decades ago. Now their increasingly empty buildings now dot the American landscape like the skeletons of dead theology that they are. Meanwhile, the Evangelical church is doing just fine. Standing for God in the midst of wickness has never been a wise popularity move, so spare us the attendance lecture, too.

There is nothing complicated by the accommodation. Women need access to healthcare. The Catholic church who we aren't even suppose to be taking orders from since we are protestant Christians doesn't want to pay for it. A separate entity provides healthcare for the woman that is not cost to the church or faith based institution. Church/Faith Based organization doesn't pay for abortificant/birth control and women get access to health care.

Not every women on birth control is sexually active or using them to have sex. They can be used to regulate cycles and prevent cramps. Only a legalist and a pharisee would object to something so trivial when Obama has been more than accommodating to the demands of the evangelical right.

Also access to birth control leads to fewer abortions. As someone who does not like or approve of abortions, LESS abortions is MORE & BETTER! This is backed by FACTS and hard data.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57526550/study-free-birth-control-leads-to-way-fewer-abortions/

As a christian I think we should be focusing on being better Christians and growing to be better disciples, not playing right wing politics. No wonder christians are leaving church in droves. We are more interested in pushing conservative political agendas than learn about who Jesus is and how to have a relationship with him.

Have a great day and God bless!