HHS and Kosher Delis

Interesting article about the intersection between religious freedom and personal ethical standards.  In the fictional story of "The Parable of the Kosher Deli," William Lori uses a less volatile example to highlight the dilemma of the government mandating exemptions from the dictates of conscience.  His ideal conclusion:

     The government recognized that it is absurd for someone to come into a kosher deli and demand a ham sandwich; that it is beyond absurd for that private demand to be backed with the coercive power of the state; that it is downright surreal to apply this coercive power when the customer can get the same sandwich cheaply, or even free, just a few doors down. The question before the United States government — right now — is whether the story of our own church institutions that serve the public, and that are threatened by the HHS mandate, will end happily too.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-parable-of-the-kosher-deli/#ixzz1ma3puZsu