Evangelicals Want Reversal of Birth Control Rule

A group of evangelical pastors is joining Roman Catholic leaders who oppose an Obama administration requirement that employees of religiously affiliated businesses receive birth control coverage.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Monday said more than 2,500 pastors and evangelical leaders have signed a letter to Obama asking him to reverse the mandate.

While most Protestants do not oppose contraception, the letter calls the mandate a violation of religious freedoms.

The signers also object to requiring coverage of the morning-after pill and other drugs and devices that allow an egg to be fertilized.

President Obama recently offered a compromise in which insurers, rather than religious groups, would pay for the contraceptive coverage.

The mandate does not apply to churches, only religiously affiliated institutions like universities and hospitals.