April 3, 2012 at 12:43 am · Filed under Press Releases
“CATHOLIC LAWYERS ASSOCIATION SPEAKS OUT ON
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND HHS GUIDELINES ON
STERILIZATION, CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION”
The St. Thomas More Society (“STMS”) of Orange County, the largest association of Catholic lawyers and Judges in the Country, has recently spoken out on the issue of religious freedom and the Obama administration’s proposed HHS regulations mandating church affiliated groups to provide sterilization, abortion and contraception services. Speaking on behalf of the St. Thomas More Society, its President, Gregory N. Weiler, reiterated the STMS’s full support of the position of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (“USCCB”) opposing the HHS regulations as a gross violation of religious liberty.
“While there is much mixed up thinking regarding the issue of mandatory insurance coverage, every citizen needs to be reminded that freedom of religion, religious liberty, is really the bedrock liberty of a free society. Religious liberty contains under its mantle, the right to act in accordance with one’s individual conscience, the right to speak in accordance with one’s conscience, and most importantly, the freedom from being compelled to act in a way which violates one’s individual conscience. It is no coincidence that freedom of religion is the first liberty listed in the first amendment in the Bill of Rights, into which the framers of the Constitution enshrined an ostensibly absolute prohibition on governmental power (“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or…prohibiting the free exercise thereof [religion]…..”).
The STMS fully supports the USCCB in opposing the HHS regulations mandating actions inconsistent with Church teaching, as an unjust and as an unconstitutional infringement on the religious liberties of all Americans.
It may be instructive to recall the words of the drafter of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, who also drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom enacted a couple of years prior to the First Amendment which stated: “That to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical.”
March 15, 2012 at 8:26 am · Filed under Events
Please join us on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., as the very engaging Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., P.h.D. presents to the St. Thomas More Society his new book: Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of the Life Issues.
His book sets out, in a brief, yet highly-readable and lucid style, ten basic principles that must govern the reasonable person’s thinking and acting about life issues. A highly-regarded philosopher, Father Spitzer provides an intelligent outline for thinking and talking about human life. This book is a powerful tool for persuasively articulating and effectively inculturating a prolife philosophy.
How do we make sense of life? How should we treat others? How should we reasonably be expected to be treated by others? When human life is at stake, are there reasonable principles we can rely on to guide our actions? How should our laws be framed to protect human life? What kind of society should be built?
Many people rely on their religious beliefs to answer these questions. But not everyone accepts the same religious premises or recognizes the same spiritual authorities. Are there “public arguments”-reasons that can be given that do not presuppose agreement on religious grounds or common religious commitments-that can guide our thoughts and actions, as well as our laws and public policies?
Recent praise of Fr. Spitzer’s new book:
“Ten Universal Principles is a true philosopher’s gift to all who sincerely wish to live wisely and well.” - Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University
“Lucid, limpid, logical. Fr. Spitzer’s elegant and readable book about the life issues provides the tools for knowledge, and his view of his audience is rooted in his vision of man as a being who wants to know.” - J. Budziszewski, University of Texas, Author, What We Can’t Not Know: A Guide
Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, is a philosopher, educator, author and former President of Gonzaga University. He is founder and President of the Magis Institute, an organization dedicated to public education on the relationship among the disciplines of physics, philosophy, reason, and faith. He is the head of the Ethics and Performance Institute which delivers web-based ethics education to corporations and individuals. He is also President of the Spitzer Center of Ethical Leadership, which delivers similar curricula to non-profit organizations. His other books include Healing the Culture and Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life.
February 6, 2012 at 4:36 pm · Filed under Events
A native of San Diego, Andre is the Co-Founder of Rondee, Inc., a national provider of free conference calling services. Andre founded 1-800-411-SAVE, one the first companies to provide free directory assistance to consumers. His prior work includes management consulting at McKinsey & Company.
He has been active for many years in the Stanford Catholic Community and is passionate about service. In 1994 he co-founded United Students for Veterans’ Health, a pioneering student organization which continues to serve hospitalized veterans in multiple states. Andre also served under two California governors as the state’s youth representative to the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.
Andre holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Stanford University, a M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. He is a member of the California Bar.
