Use Caution When Engaging in the Contraception Debate

USA Today reports that Rush Limbaugh has lost his seventh advertiser because of his insulting comments directed toward Georgetown University student Sandra Fluke. Apparently, Limbaugh referenced her over a three day period, calling her a “slut” and a “prostitute.”

Ouch. Wasn’t Limbaugh the one who coined the term “Drive-by Media” in criticism of such practices? If not, he sure uses the term like he did.

In his statement of apology, Mr. Limbaugh spoke of his frustration with the direction of the debate surrounding the contraception/HHS mandate issue. He wrote, “What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow?” Great question, by the way. He also wrote, “I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.” I couldn’t agree more.

But if what he says is true, why point the finger at someone and condemn her by calling her names? Seems a little like hypocrisy to me.

Just an observation. Limbaugh is a big boy, he can handle my humble criticism from my little blog. He did apologize. He should get the benefit of the doubt.

This episode presents us with a powerful lesson. When making our arguments, we need to stick to what we know for sure. We know that the mandate requiring religious institutions’ insurance companies to provide free contraception to employees is a violation of the First Amendment. We know that the mandate represents an egregious intrusion of the government upon individual freedom. We know that the implications of the mandate, if the Affordable Care Act is upheld by the Supreme Court and the Republicans cannot repeal it, will negatively impact the future of religious freedom profoundly in America. We need to stick with what we know when we make our arguments.

Is contemporary American culture obsessed with sex? Yes. Glance at the magazine rack in the checkout line at Wal-Mart if you don’t believe it. Is there a general trend away from accepting personal responsibility for moral choices in America? You better believe it. Are the consequences of the breakdown of the American family evident on a systematic level? You’d be crazy to deny it. But these are different issues. They need to be addressed in other venues. (Message to the churches: Where have you been the last 50 years?? Stop griping about the worship style and be the church!)

The contraception mandate is a religious freedom issue. That much is obvious. Do not get distracted by the issue of the moral breakdown that’s been going on for decades and decades. If you try and make the issue about moral laxity in America, you’re going to lose.