Thinking Out Loud: Where Do We Draw the Line on Religious Freedom?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

First Amendment to the United States Constitution

"And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

The Bible (King James version, Mark 12:17)

Many Catholic institutions, including the University of Notre Dame, are suing the Obama administration over the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") mandate that employers provide workers birth control coverage.  The way the Catholic Church sees it, if the mandate survives, our religious freedoms will not. 

As a Roman Catholic, it is my opinion that the Catholic Church is misguided.  I am not going to argue here why I believe they are wrong.  What I will ask is that if the Catholic Church wins this argument, where will we draw the line between religious freedom and federal and state law? 

Some fairly recent headlines to consider:

"Marijuana as Religious Right? California Court Says It's Possible"

Well, why not?  If weed is part of your religious ceremony, how can the government say you can't use it?  I am personally paranoid enough about God looking over my shoulder to participate in any ceremony that uses pot to get closer to thee, but hey, that's just me. 

"The Argument for Legalization of Polygamy"

All I can say is that if one spouse makes you happy, why not two or three?  (Note:  This does not apply to gay people.  Sorry, you'll have to find another religion.)

"Judge Rules Against Religion, Favors Hospital"

A Texas judge ruled against the parents of a child in need of a blood transfusion.  The parents are Jehovah's Witnesses and do not believe in blood transfusions containing donated blood, even if it means death.  They wanted to withold medical treatment for their child.  The judge disagreed.  Certainly any reasonable person would side with the judge's ruling, but, if the Catholic Church has their way, why wouldn't religious belief trump a child's welfare? 

"Native American inmates challenging tobacco ban"

South Dakota banned tobacco in prisons, even for religious ceremonies.  Some Native Americans consider tobacco central to their religious practices.  Who cares if allowing tobacco in prisons for some makes the job of controlling contraband harder for prison guards?  If the Catholic Church has their way, South Dakota will just have to deal with it.

"Army denies Hawaiian groups access to cultural sites"

The Army bans two Native Hawaiian groups from federal property used for training that the groups consider to be sacred.  That's funny, one of my religious beliefs is that Oriole Park at Camden Yards is sacred ground and I would like to visit the seats behind home plate every time the O's are in town.