Birth control mandate wrong

I read with alarm “Free birth control mandate expanded” on Jan. 21. The ramifications of this mandate from President Barack Obama are far-reaching and formidable. Essentially, all organizations formed upon their religious beliefs are now compelled by President Obama’s mandate to provide free birth control even if it would violate their faith, identity or purpose.

What happened to the conscience clause or religious liberty? My understanding is that the Catholic Church regards some birth control as possibly abortive (taking a human life) in that it prevents implantation of a fertilized embryo. Should not these Catholic institutions have a right to exist based upon their faith principles?

It would seem such organizations are being pressured to cease from providing any medical insurance or cease from existing. So what would be the next mandate to be expanded? Regardless on what side of the issue you fall in terms of birth control, for an elected representative who swears to uphold the Constitution of the United States to require institutions, agencies or universities to act against their very faith, conscience and moral identity, sounds more like a dictatorship rather than a democracy.

Please pray for President Obama and for our country.

Jeanie Wagenman

Spokane