Sheldon is reacting to a bill passed by the DC City Council earlier this week
that requires health insurance providers--even Christians who are opposed to
contraception--to provide coverage for contraceptive devices.
"The original bill contained a conscience clause that protected religious
groups from being forced to violate their deeply held beliefs, but this language
was stripped from the final bill," noted Sheldon.
TVC is deeply concerned about the anti-Christian remarks made by DC City Councilman
Jim Graham who pushed through this legislation. Graham is a homosexual activist
who has undisguised disdain for Christians and their beliefs.
In pushing his contraceptive bill, Graham held up a photo of the Pope and told
his fellow Councilmen, that he had "spent years fighting church dogma."
He told them, "My problem is surrendering decisions on public health matters
to the church."
Graham's remark is simply another example of anti-Christian bigotry displayed
by homosexual activists.
On Wednesday, a congressional committee that oversees the District of Columbia
held a routine budget hearing but questioned City Council Chairman Linda Cropp
on the contraceptive vote and the anti-Christian comments made by Graham. Cropp
downplayed Graham's comments and supported the vote.
We commend committee member Ernest Istook for describing the DC contraceptive
debate as a "forum for bashing religion, and one faith in particular."
TVC calls upon Congress to reject the DC Council's vote until a conscience
clause is added that protects all persons who have religious objections to contraception.
DC City Council members displayed cowardice when they failed to challenge Graham's
anti-Christian comments, but they still have an opportunity to do the right
thing. They should clearly condemn Graham's bigotry and issue an apology to
the Catholic Church for his anti-religious remarks.
"In Jim Graham's Washington, DC, apparently only liberals or homosexuals
have freedom of conscience," said Sheldon. "It is ironic that people
like Graham, who are always talking about the separation of church and state
would then try to impose their anti-religious political policies upon Christians."