I've been thinking about this blog for several days now. It's definitely not a normal post for me. Normally, people coming to this blog to see fun pictures of our family and friends, sweet stories about our little one, and that's about it. But that's not what this is. I'll be back to that later this week with some fun pictures of Curtis, but for now, I want to talk about Hobby Lobby.
The Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case is a landmark case. When I saw the verdict, I literally did a happy dance with Curtis in my arms because, though it small, it was a victory for LIFE, a victory for religious freedom, a victory for the first amendment, and, in my opinion, a victory for women. I have come to see, sadly, that this victory may be very short lived and that grieves my heart. As I watched Lila Rose on the news speaking about the bill being introduced in the Senate to overturn the ruling, and saw the hope that this would not gain popularity, I was right there with her, hoping and praying that people would see that the justice system got something right. But sadly, because I tend to be a realist, while I can hope and believe that God can change things, it will be a fight to not overturn this ruling.
I have a somewhat unique view point on this subject because I am of the demographic who would typically be outraged by this landmark decision. I'm a women in her 20s, of child bearing age who, until 9 months ago, had a very successful career as a nurse that I worked incredibly hard for. Most women my age are not married, still partying after work and on the weekends, still having sex with any man who buys them a drink, focused on their career and having a good time. So, I am different, but I'm not ashamed of that. I'm not ashamed to be married, to be a stay at home mom of one, but hopefully many more. I'm not ashamed that I never fell into the demographic of women my age who were just looking to have a good time. Because of these things, people may say I am wrong, or my opinion doesn't matter, but there's one other thing that makes me qualified to talk about this. I am a nurse who works with pregnant women in crisis, who sees the worst place a woman can be in, the scariest situation she's ever faced. I love these women, thank God that they come to our clinic, praise Him when their hearts are broken for the LIFE they see inside of them and rejoice when they make the decision to carry that LIFE to term.
Some facts about the Supreme Court decision that I have seen misinterpreted, skewed and downright just plain lied about:
1. Hobby Lobby insurance coverage offers several different types of contraceptives including the pill, patch, ring, shot and implant. Most of these, from a nurse perspective, I would not recommend, but I have no problem with women using birth control and neither does Hobby Lobby.
2. This decision DOES NOT make any form of birth control illegal. All forms of birth control that were legal before the ruling are still legal now. Any woman who chooses to use emergency contraception or an IUD can still use them. I've said it 3 different ways now, but I'm not sure it can be re-iterated enough, any woman can still use all types of birth control.
3. Hobby Lobby does not tell it's employees that they cannot work for them if they choose to have an IUD or use emergency contraception. In fact, I assume Hobby Lobby would never ask an employee such a personal question.
4. Plan B and Ella are over the counter medications. Sadly, the law is now, that any person can go into their local Walgreens and buy these medications without a prescription, ID or parental consent. So while it won't be covered by insurance, it is still readily available.
5. Any person can walk into their GYN office and ask for an IUD, and get one placed. Yes, it may be more expensive than other birth controls in the short run, but since it's good for 5 years, the cost really evens out. So while it may not be covered under insurance, it can still be purchased and used pretty easily.
With those facts stated and widely known for the public knowledge for anyone who has a TV, or access to google, the Supreme Court's decision should not be as controversial as what it is. It is not a war on women. It is not a bunch of white, republican men dictating what kind of birth control woman can or cannot use. It is definitely not men infringing on a woman's "reproductive rights". This is a simple decision if anyone has any knowledge of the first amendment's protection of a person's freedom of religion. The Bible clearly talks about protecting the least of these, it talks about how important LIFE is, it talks about God forming us in our mother's womb and how sacred that time is. No, not all people believe the Bible and I completely understand that, BUT Christians have to respect other religions, so other religions, or the lack there of, should respect what a Christian believes. The right to LIFE is one of the most basic beliefs we hold, and therefore, if the owners of Hobby Lobby don't want to violate their conscience by providing drugs that disrupt and KILL that LIFE, then other religions should respect that and acknowledge their freedom protected by the first amendment.
I see the use of emergency contraception and IUDs often where I volunteer. This post modern, feminist world is so excited about both of these things because it allows them to have freer sex, not worry about if they took their pill, if they have any shots left, if they brought a condom, or if the condom broke/slipped or whatever the situation may be. They think these methods of contraception are wonderful because, if nothing else, they're a back-up, but pretty much, they allow them to do whatever they want, when they want to. What I have seen and experienced, leads me to the conclusion that these are not good forms of birth control and for the most part, should not be used (there are a few exceptions such as a clotting factor problem).
Plan B can be used up to 3 days after having unprotected sex. It's kind of like birth control on steroids. It provides a very concentrated amount of hormones to stop ovulation, thicken cervical mucus so sperm can't get through, and the abortifacent part...thin the uterine lining to stop a fertilized egg from implanting. This is not meant to be used as normal birth control, but because it is so readily available, women use it all the time as their normal means of birth control even though it says on the website and instructions to not do so.
And the IUD...the main function is to thin out the uterine wall to prevent an already fertilized egg from implanting.
Both forms, you can still get pregnant. I've seen it happen several times. Pregnancy with an IUD in can be extremely dangerous. There is potential risk for miscarriage, birth defects and harm to the mother. These are not full proof methods.
That's just my 2 cents about the those types of birth control in general.
I know my opinion isn't popular. I know it's "old fashioned" to think people should not be having sex if they don't want a child, and really shouldn't be having sex until they are married, but you can call me old fashioned. I'm okay with that. There would be a lot less uproar and anger over this decision if people chose to control themselves and only have sex the way God intended, the perfect way he planned. There would be less children murdered, less children without fathers, less broken hearts, less children abandoned.
That is my prayer, that one day this will be a reality. That people will see sex as the gift from God that it is, and likewise, the result of sex, children, as the wonderful gift from God they are and then maybe there wouldn't be the need for all the arguing over whether or not someone provides insurance that pays for your birth control.
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