This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I read with interest the article about the Supreme Court case brought by Hobby Lobby Inc. to exempt them from providing contraceptive coverage to employees because of the owners' religious beliefs ("Hobby Lobby owners deserve their religious beliefs," Opinion, March 15).
The argument is wholly framed as a case of religious freedom vs. that of the government, which asserts that corporations are not people and thereby not entitled to Constitutional protection of freedom of religion.
It is however fascinating that the attorney arguing for Hobby Lobby never mentions the rights of the only indisputable "person" here ... the workers affected by this decision. One can reasonably assume that many of the workers are not of the same religious beliefs as their employers. What if their religious beliefs allow them to use contraceptives? Whose rights should then supersede those of the other party?
Better that Hobby Lobby spend the money they devote to lawsuits, instead to "lobby" the Congress for national health care that would remove the controversy and their need to provide health care to their employees.
Lew Baker
Salt Lake City