Rights of employees the real issue

With all the commotion about separation of church and state surrounding the contraception issue, it has been forgotten that the hospitals and colleges affected by the administration’s original decision are, in effect, secular institutions because they are not being operated for a solely religious purpose. Their clients are a diverse group of many religions and ethnic backgrounds, as are their employees. In fact, any attempt at religious or racial discrimination against clients or employees by these institutions would result in legal action.

Many of these institutions receive government aid and grants as secular, public services but attempt to hide behind their religious faade when it comes to controls.

Rather than say that the government is interfering with their religious beliefs, it seems to me that the organization is interfering with the beliefs of their employees. The government cannot and should not assist in the enforcement of a religious tenet on those who believe otherwise, which is what is done when exceptions are granted.

It is clear that truly religious institutions, such as churches, seminaries and convents, should not be required to act outside their dogma. This, however, was not the case with the recent controversy.

John D. Adams

Wheeling