Southern Baptist Reaction To Hobby Lobby Decision: ‘Hallelujah’

Russell Moore, who heads the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, spoke to reports around the country after the Hobby Lobby decision came down. Credit: Blake Farmer / WPLN

The Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention is praising God for the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby, which challenged an Obamacare requirement to cover birth control. The denomination has been a vocal supporter of the Green family, which owns the for-profit retailer and are SBC members.

Hobby Lobby took issue with some of the contraceptives that have to be covered, such as the Plan B morning-after pill, citing religious convictions regarding abortion. After the 5-4 decision in the company’s favor, the first word from Baptist public policy chief Russell Moore was “hallelujah.”

Hallelujah! #HobbyLobby

— Russell Moore (@drmoore) June 30, 2014

“This is as close as it gets to dancing in the streets for joy for a Southern Baptist,” Moore told reporters on a conference call. “I’m elated by this decision.”

Moore says it’s an “encouraging sign” that the Supreme Court recognizes “religious liberty.” He says a ruling the other way would have been “catastrophic” for “freedom of conscience.”

But faith groups are divided. The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice – which includes the Episcopal Church and Jewish organizations – says the Hobby Lobby decision has “perverted” religious freedom “to privilege a boss’s faith over an employee’s.”