In today’s 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Obamacare with conservative darling and chief justice, John G. Roberts, Jr., writing the decision, holding that the federal government may impose tax penalties on those who do not have health insurance.

Roberts, a Roman Catholic nominated by former President George W. Bush, joined the four liberal justices in upholding Barack Obama’s health care plan as being constitutional.

The individual mandate for every American to obtain health coverage was upheld, and those who cannot afford it will be extended coverage through taxpayer-funded government programs.

Hundreds of protestors gathered outside of the Supreme Court to express their disapproval of the ruling. Heretofore, many individuals, including conservatives and evangelicals, had adamantly been supportive of Justice Roberts, believing that he would save the country from the requirements in Obamacare, despite the liberal leanings of his associate justices.

However, others do not see Roberts as necessarily being conservative. In 2005, in a discussion with California Senator Diane Feinstein pertaining to the separation of church and state, Roberts explained, “[M]y faith and my religious beliefs do not play a role in judging. When it comes to judging, I look to the law books and always have. I don’t look to the Bible or any other religious source.”

Two years later, while upholding the partial birth abortion ban in Gonzalez v. Carhart, he joined with Justice William Kennedy, who wrote that perhaps abortionists could “find different and less shocking methods to abort the fetus in the second trimester, thereby accommodating legislative demand.”

Roy Moore, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and president of the Foundation for Moral Law, had filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in the Obamacare case, called State of Florida v. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Moore’s organization had argued that, most significantly, the imposed federal law constituted a violation of the 1oth Amendment.

After the issuance of today’s ruling, Moore released a statement declaring the decision as being unconstitutional.

“Perhaps the week before July 4th is an appropriate time to recognize the tyranny of the federal government that is now upon us,” he said. “The recent history of our federal government, to quote the Declaration of Independence, ‘is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.’”

“When the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court says that government may ‘tax’ individuals for health care, what is next–mandated life, home, and auto insurance? In Obamacare, all three branches of government have ignored the Constitution and especially the 10th Amendment, which protects the rights of the states and the people to direct their own destinies,” he added. “A return to God and the United States Constitution is the only hope for the future of our country.”

Rusty Thomas, author of The Kingdom Leadership Institute Manual, agrees. He states that he believes today’s ruling by the Supreme Court creates at least two significant problems for the country.

“First, the government will use its vast powers to force people to pay for something they may not want nor need. In this case, it is healthcare. This ruling grants government control over our healthcare, which in reality, will control American lives from womb to tomb,” he stated. “Second, they intend to steal our money to kill our neighbors. Thus, both principally and in practice, our government is demanding we forsake our God, our heritage, and the Christian ethic to love our neighbor as ourselves, so they can rob our money through government fiat to kill our neighbor.”

On pages 107 and 128 of the final law, Christians who participate in health care sharing ministries are exempt from the “individual mandate” to obtain health insurance.

The legislation reads, “…Exemptions from Individual Responsibility Requirements — (A) In the case of an individual seeking exemption based on the individual’s status as a member of an exempt religious sect or division, as a member of a health care sharing ministry… Such term shall not include any individual for any month if such individual is a member of a health care sharing ministry for the month.”

However, in order to be eligible for the exemption, the health care sharing ministry must have been in operation since 1999. There are only three organizations nationwide that qualify under these terms: Samaritan Ministries, Christian Healthcare Ministries and Medi-Share.

While health care sharing communities are not necessarily insurance programs, some think that they are even better, partly because they believe that helping those in need is Biblical, and also because of the significant savings that is said to be attached to the programs. The Heartlander reports that “[i]nstead of monthly premiums, Medi-Share participants share in each other’s medical bills and pay, on average, 20 percent to 30 percent less for health care than those with traditional insurance…”

Participants in Christian health share programs are required live Biblical lifestyles, and may not use tobacco, illegal drugs, or have sexual relations outside of marriage.

Christians who do not elect to participate in a health care sharing program may be forced to fund abortion services. The current health care law requires all Americans who are enrolled in one of the government-approved insurance plans that cover abortion to pay a separate monthly premium, which will be earmarked for funding abortions. As well, Obamacare only prohibits the use of government funds for abortions unless a state passes a future law to opt out of doing so.

Rusty Thomas opined that Christians must remain loyal to Christ in light of today’s decision.

“No Christian in right standing with God can ever participate in this ruling. As Joshua before us we must make this confession before friend and foe alike, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,’ regardless of the cost,” he declared. “When the laws of men conflict with the laws of God, our duty is clear, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'”

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