Oklahoma-based retailer Hobby Lobby reiterates its objection on contraception issue

David Green, founder of the Oklahoma City-based retailer, his family and the company sued in Oklahoma City federal court in September to block the federal government from requiring the company to provide insurance coverage for contraception devices such as the “morning-after pill,” “week-after pill” and some kinds of intrauterine devices.

They are asking U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton to prevent the government from enforcing new health care rules on their business “and other individuals and organizations that object on religious grounds to providing insurance coverage for abortion-causing drugs and devices and related education and counseling.” A hearing on a preliminary injunction request is set for Thursday.

The company on Wednesday responded to a government filing in the case that argued the owners cannot raise religious objections to the preventive services coverage regulations because Hobby Lobby is a for-profit, secular corporation.

“The government cannot label people or organizations as ‘secular' or ‘religious' and grant or withhold freedom accordingly,” the company's attorneys wrote. “The law simply protects the exercise of religion — whether the Greens practice it in their church, in their home, or in running their business.”

The Greens run their companies, Hobby Lobby and Mardel, under a statement of purpose that includes “operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles.” Their stores close on Sunday, offer chaplain services to their employees and broadcast Christian music among other demonstrations of the owners' religious beliefs.