The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness (OPW) is encouraged by
the diverse dialogue that is occurring in response to the Reverend J. Herbert
Nelson’s statement with respect to the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling. The OPW gives thanks
for the words of support as well as the expressions of disagreement. It is through dialogue and engagement that we
may begin to break down the walls of ideology and see Christ in and through each
other.
Much of the criticism of Rev. Nelson’s statement has been to
point out his lack of specificity as to the particular contraceptives challenged
in the Hobby Lobby case. Access to reproductive health care is an essential
human right affirmed by Presbyterian General Assemblies, many of which have reaffirmed the historic Presbyterian commitment to accessible,
comprehensive health care that should be equal, accessible, affordable, and
high quality for all persons. (214th General Assembly, Minutes, 2002, p.634)
But more than a ruling related to available contraception, Rev.
Nelson and the Office of Public Witness wished to express in his
statement a concern about religious liberty. The Hobby Lobby decision establishes a precedent
that sets the conscience of employers over and above the conscience of workers.
Further, the decision grants first amendment liberties to for-profit
corporations, which, no matter how closely they are held, are not people. Allowing corporations, whose primary function
is profit, the freedom to impose religious values on employees is fundamentally
un-American and contrary to the values upon which this nation was founded.
As always, the Office of Public Witness represents the
actions approved by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly and its predecessor
bodies, which have affirmed that God Alone is Lord of Conscience and that individuals must make decisions in
personal and public life that are consistent with their own values, without seeking
to coerce others. National policy that allows employers and the owners of
corporations to coerce employees with respect to their moral decisions undermines
our churches and the nation.
The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, is Director for Public Witness in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC.
