Blog

by Nathan Buck

I apologize in advance for anyone who is tired of hearing about this. After several online discussions, even via the business sector, I felt strongly that I needed to share something about the Hobby Lobby incident and the Supreme Court decision. If you haven’t heard about it, here is the summary.

The Supreme Court ruled that Hobby Lobby, since it is a closely held company (which means the owners are an individual family/families, not shareholders), is able to object to paying for certain types of mandatory contraception that violate their belief that all human life is sacred. To be clear, Hobby Lobby still pays for healthcare, still pays for contraception, pays a strong living wage to its associates, and does not require employees to share their beliefs in order to be employed there.

This decision has been met with criticism and celebration all over the country. Those who celebrate are glad the courts stood up for a family who took a moral stance on a healthcare reform law that was not only imposed on them, but contained mandatory support of objectionable and optional contraceptive procedures. Those who have criticized it have ranged from fearful slippery slope arguments, to women’s rights, to definitions of corporations excluding “religion,” to accusations of Hobby Lobby proselytizing or forcing religion on their employees.

I am deeply saddened by the half-truths, ignorance, and outright lies that people seem to legitimately believe justify attacking Hobby Lobby and its owners. Especially because at its core, this situation demonstrates the sinister shift of focus we have as a society.

An objective moral stance by a closely held corporation, that ultimately doesn't benefit their bottom line or branding, is reviled with an argument based on subjective entitlement ideology. If a person is going to challenge a corporation's moral/ethical decision, shouldn’t the challenge be morally and ethically sound as well? Sadly the drift away from understanding “inalienable human rights,” toward embracing self-centered entitlements has taken deep root.

Entitlements cannot be defended legitimately, without destroying the freedom of others.

Galatians 5:13-15 says, “You my brothers and sisters were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Arguing for what we are entitled to is massively self-centered, ignores the simple fact that everything we own has been given to us by God’s grace, and refuses to acknowledge or respect the needs/rights/beliefs of others. When we become entitlement focused, we step into a lifestyle that will war against anything and anyone who doesn’t give us what we feel we deserve. And as we meet every other entitlement-oriented person, the battles will only get more frequent and more violent. It is a stage set for destruction.

Two encouragements this week:
- Know the facts, and speak the facts – without being drawn into deceptive arguments.
- Unravel entitlement thinking and actions everywhere you go, by demonstrating love and service.

Entitlements cannot be defended legitimately, without destroying the freedom of others.

Serving in love and grace is the most excellent way – and can rescue those on the battlefield, warring to satisfy their flesh.