I have always been proud of my country. Being a part of a country where everyone is free to believe what they want is an amazing thing we all should be proud of. It makes me proud to be part of a country that does not force laws prohibiting my rights as a human being or as an American Citizen.

Lately, as we listen to what is going on around us, there seems to  be things changing. Where our country is headed,may not be where we want it to be. In America we are granted human rights which are defined by the Declaration of Independence as  “Right to Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.”

I feel as though some of our liberties to do what we want, have been changing.

In 2010 Congress passed the Affordable Care Act and now it has become one of the most talked about and controversial mandates.

The Affordable Care Act has the requirement that most health plans must provide contraceptive coverage to women, despite the fact that it may violate companies’ religious freedom and liberty.

Attorney Peter Dobelbower, lawyer for Hobby Lobby, says that Hobby Lobby does not provide coverage for abortion-inducing drugs in its health care plan.  The result of their refusal to comply is a $1.3 million fine for each passing day. What gives the government government the right to violate the religious freedom and liberty of this company?

The more research I did, the deeper the information went. I was glad to see that religious entities such as places of worship are exempt from the Act. However, this has not stopped the assault of lawsuits that have started.

Many non-profit Catholic Universities and hospitals have complained about the Affordable Care Act because it violates Catholic Doctrine.  It was reported that a compromise that was hopefully underway.

But why should we have to compromise what we believe? I understand the other sides stance and I respect it. However, I do not personally believe that a country that prides itself in having so much freedom  should be infringing on the religious freedoms of its citizens.