The Religious Freedom Restoration Act - 962 Words

Public policies are the rules, laws and regulations that govern society as a whole. Federal and State governments institute these policies in order to ensure that its citizens and resources are protected. The assignment required students to explore a public policy issue to determine how the policy is perceived by the various cultures in the United States. One such policy that concerns many is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In light of the political climate in today’s society the act requires a review to determine if the law is fair to all cultures and their religious belief. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed in 1993, allows for any business to be entitled to an exemption from applicable laws as long as it can be proven to be due to one’s religious belief. (Rivkin, David Whelan, 2012). In simpler terms, it means that a business owner or church has the right to discriminate in the form of not providing pro-choice rights to female employees, to deny patronage to their businesses to gay/lesbian couples and to not offer the aforementioned employee benefits because of their sexual orientation. However, bear in mind, in order to deny these individuals, their particular rights, one merely has to cite the new RFRA act. In order to support the statements made previously, please see examples below: 1. A landlord who refuses to rent to same-sex couples, unmarried couples, single parents, people of various races or of a different religion. 2. An employerShow MoreRelatedThe Religious Freedom Restoration Act1309 Words   |  6 PagesThe Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) is a federal law that was set up to protect the free exercise of religion, as an undeniable right, protected by the First Amendment. Easy enough, right –however, it seems can be interpreted in different ways, some depending on what your beliefs are i.e., religious or secular. Such as in the legal case of Burwell (U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services) vs. Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby argued that they should not have to pay for contraceptives for theirRead MoreLocal Religious Freedom Restoration Act905 Words   |  4 PagesLocal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) are controversial in nature, because while they pretend to use the excuse to protect the free exercise of religion, intrinsically it is an avenue to attack same sex marriages which have been ruled constitutional by most circuit appellate courts in the United States. Curr ently the Supreme Court is hearing the cases that might ultimately decide the faith of marriage equality. United States v. Windsor opened the door for most federal appellate jurisdictionsRead MoreThe Controversy Over Religious Freedom1264 Words   |  6 PagesControversies Over Religious Freedom Religious freedom has been a staple of the American doctrine since the Bill of Rights. Since then, religious freedom has been challenged non-stop. From the Supreme Court’s rulings that have shaped what religious freedoms mean, which include the enactment of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and the legalization of same-sex marriage; to obstacles that Muslims face. Religious freedom has been and continuous to be a center point in American politicsRead MoreReligious Freedom : More Than Just America s Hobby Anymore1666 Words   |  7 PagesReligious Freedom: More Than Just America’s Hobby Anymore Religious freedom in the United States originated in the reason that many pilgrims arrived on North America’s shores. They were leaving so that they could practice their version of their religion unhindered by a government entity. This was later reaffirmed by the Constitution of the United States with the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause. The laws of the land continued to be relooked at by the Supreme Court and religious freedom wasRead MoreContraception Within The Affordable Care Act2406 Words   |  10 PagesContraception within the Affordable Care Act Sarah Tharpe University of New England SSW 505 October 16, 2014 Abstract The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its mandate regarding contraception has been the center of contention since the United States Supreme Court decided to go forward with the case in 2013. The initial mandate in question instructed establishments to include and or make available all forms of contraception. Additionally, the employee’s individual health care plan was to provideRead MoreThe Freedom Restoration Act Should Not Be Treated Like People, Let Alone Granted1499 Words   |  6 PagesWhether big or small, corporations should not be treated like people, let alone granted religious freedom. The Supreme Court continued the horrible trend of pro-corporation rights. Whether one stands with Hobby Lobby, Inc. and considers this case a success of religious freedom or an intrusion, I see it as the court favored corporation’s rights over personal rights. Female workers should be given the availability to use contraceptives. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Burw ell v. HobbyRead MoreBirth Control and the Government Essay1092 Words   |  5 Pagesbirth control and the government. A dangerous couple, it raises the question of who should have control over contraceptive laws and what controls involving them should be put in place? Currently, under the Obama Administration, the Affordable Care Act and â€Å"Obamacare† have been created. One of the sections of this new plan creates a mandate which requires private businesses to provide insurance that covers birth control costs. The government should not be able to force businesses, and therefore theRead MoreControversial Issues Like Same Sex Marriage1481 Words   |  6 Pagesanti-gay license to discriminate, it permits anyone to deny â€Å"any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges, nor counseling, adoption, foster care, and other social services to anyone else, based on their sincerely held religious beliefs (Bardash). The second bill bars same-sex couple s from taking part in contract marriage. Subsequently, it expels the fundamental right to have equal protections guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution to any LGBT person as well as women andRead MoreHobby Lobby : An Overview1027 Words   |  5 PagesIsland by August 2017(Bloomberg). The company seems to continue to grow even in the down turn of the economy. Many people may say that this is a coincidence, but they believe that they are prosperous because of their faith in God. With the company’s religious beliefs, they are not open on Sundays. They believe that their employees need to spend Sundays with their family and not working. Only being open for sixty-six hours a week, the company is still very prosperous (becketfund.org). With the introductionRead MoreHeavens Gate and the Infingement of Religious Freedom2800 Words   |  12 PagesInfringement of Religious Freedoms Introduction How much religious freedom do we want? The United States Constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens. However, since the establishment of this freedom, there have been continuous debates and modifications. Despite this independence, there have been times when the government felt it necessary to infringe upon religious freedom for various reasons. The question is, at which point it is okay for the government to become involved in religious affairs