Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

In the Philippine context, the dominance of Christian faith is evident because morality in
the country mainly anchors its principles and customs in the Bible that embodies virtues and
principles. The Bible enables a person to realize the ability to judge between actions with regards
to appropriate actions at a given time; to know the certain equality by which the just and definite
claim of another, neither more nor less, is satisfied; the practice of self-control and abstention;
and to fortitude, forbearance, strength, endurance, and the ability to confront fear, uncertainty,
and intimidation. This also includes procreation which is a sacred process and the most basic
purpose of marriage to produce more people who reflects God’s image. Likewise, procreation
includes the protection of life against abortions, contraceptives and other ways to destroy the
same. Hence, regardless of

In the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. a law was enacted by the Government
which employment-based group health care plans must provide certain types of preventative
care, such as FDA-approved contraceptive methods. While there are exemptions available for
religious employers and non-profit religious institutions, there are no exemptions available for
for-profit institutions. Thereafter, the Government was sued and the plaintiffs argued that the
requirement that the employment-based group health care plan cover contraception violated the
Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of
1993. The court held that the HHS contraception mandate substantially burdens the exercise of
religion. The Court added that the argument is also the religious question of the morality of
enabling the immoral acts of others, to which Health and Human Service had provided a binding
national answer. The Court argued that federal courts should not answer religious questions
because they would in effect be deciding whether certain beliefs are flawed. Herein case, it was
discussed that there must be a sensible balance between religious liberty and competing prior
governmental interests.

In Gonzales vs The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Raul Gonzalez, through his
guardian, filed an action to obtain writ of mandamus before the trial court of Manila to force
respondent to appoint plaintiff to the vacant chaplaincy, to compute for the income obtained
during the vacancy, and to secure other relief. The trial court then ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
It ordered respondent Roman Catholic Church of Manila to appoint plaintiff as chaplain to the
said chaplaincy, to pay plaintiff of the income obtained during the vacancy, and to reserve to him
any legal rights that he may have in connection to the cancellation of certificate of registration of
property under the name of the archbishop. It was held that it is in fact a mistake in the part of
the trial court to order defendant to appoint plaintiff chaplain in the chaplaincy in question.

Separation of the Church and state is a concept wherein there must be a distance between
religious institutions and the Government. Government activities should not be involved to
religious concerns and issues and also, Religious activities should not directly affect the
Government and its instrumentalities. Today, the Church and the State are very vocal regarding
their different notions and stand with their actions. Various condemnation and opposing
statements arise in the social media and the news that the certain Church condemns the actions of
the Government. This must be intervened because, the Church as a vital role on maintain the
well-being of the people by means of preaching the Good News. They are the institution whose
role is to see it that the morals and conducts and their members should be in accordance with
their teachings and faith. Furthermore, they must not use religious activities in order to address
opinions regarding specific activities of the Government. The State as well, shall not lessen
confidence regarding any religious system in order to counter on the notions of the Church.
Things as such must be addressed in order to prevent further damage.