Get Your Religion Out of My Vagina, Part 3

When doing a quick search as to what constitutes a “religious employer,” it is not as clear cut as one would imagine. The obvious ones, such as religious schools, have already been brought before the court system for violating the workplace anti-discrimination laws. In one case, the great RBG questioned if a religious school has the right to fire employees for reasons that have nothing to do with religion. This was in regard to a teacher who was fired after revealing that she had breast cancer and required medical leave in order to undergo chemotherapy. That teacher has since passed away. Also addressed in the case was who fell under the employee umbrella: teachers, nurses, coaches, janitors, bus drivers... 

The water gets even more murky in terms of what is considered a religious employer. As of July 8, 2020, the Trump Administration won further control over women’s bodies. It was determined that “employers who have sincerely held religious beliefs or moral objections against providing insurance coverage or payments for contraceptive services cannot be required to provide such coverage or payments.” 

Sincerely held religious beliefs or moral objections? That sounds a bit loosey goosey to me. According to NPR, the purpose of this intentionally loose definition is to “allow any company or nonprofit group to exclude the coverage for contraception if it has a religious or moral obligation.” As of 2017, the US Supreme Court has not provided a comprehensive definition of religion, but it is likely that it only applies to mainstream religions, but it has not been clearly stated. 

Knowing this, I had someone reach out and share with me some wonderful insight into their belief system and how it dictates that strangers should have a say in what a woman does with her own body. In return, I may have suggested that she check out an adult toy to release some of her pent up aggression. I guess part of my message is that life is short. Too short to search hashtags and lash out at strangers for having the audacity to advocate for women’s health issues. Perhaps that time could be better used?