What exactly was the Hobby Lobby scandal?

The Hobby Lobby "scandal" refers primarily to two major controversies: the illegal importation and smuggling of thousands of ancient Iraqi artifacts, often mislabeled and falsely declared, leading to a $3 million fine and forfeiture; and the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case, where the company successfully argued, based on religious freedom, that it didn't have to provide certain contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for its employees.

What is the controversy with Hobby Lobby?

Hobby Lobby controversies center on the owner's conservative Christian beliefs influencing company policy, notably the Supreme Court case allowing them to deny contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) based on religious freedom. Other major issues include accusations of acquiring smuggled antiquities for their Museum of the Bible, leading to settlements and repatriation of artifacts, and alleged discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees, as seen in a successful lawsuit by a transgender woman over restroom access. 

What was the Hobby Lobby scandal?

The Hobby Lobby smuggling scandal started in 2009 when representatives of the Hobby Lobby chain of craft stores received a large number of clay bullae and tablets originating in the ancient Near East.

What items were involved in the Hobby Lobby case?

Hobby Lobby Stores, and a related case, involved religiously devout business owners who objected to only four contraceptives: the “morning-after” pills Ella and Plan B, and two intrauterine devices (IUDs).

What happens if you find historical artifacts on your property?

American common law says it is yours to keep if you find a simple ancient artifact such as an arrow or tomahawk head on your property. You need not report it or give it to government officials or preservation societies. Simply preserve it and take a photo.

Hobby Lobby - The Controversial History

Why is digging up graves illegal?

Digging up a grave is illegal because it violates laws protecting the sanctity of human remains, desecrates a sacred site, interferes with family rights, and poses public health/safety risks, with laws prohibiting disturbing interred bodies or grave markers without court orders or permits due to cultural taboos, common law rights, and statutes against cemetery desecration. Breaking these laws can lead to serious criminal charges like grave robbing or abuse of a corpse. 

Is it legal to keep arrowheads you find?

You generally cannot keep arrowheads found on public land (federal or state) because they are protected cultural resources, and removing them is illegal under laws like the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), often resulting in fines or jail time. However, if you find an arrowhead on private land, it belongs to the landowner, who can give you permission to keep it; otherwise, they own it. 

What tragedy happened at Hobby Lobby?

The primary tragedy at Hobby Lobby involved a fatal workplace shooting in March 2023 at an Oklahoma City distribution center, where employee Domonique Thompson shot and killed his manager, Douglas Smith, after a work-related argument, with the suspect dying later in a police chase crash. While a major incident, there was also a significant federal case involving Hobby Lobby being fined for illegally smuggling ancient artifacts from the Middle East. 

Why does Hobby Lobby not want to cover birth control?

Hobby Lobby had religious objections, arguing that providing birth control went against their Christian faith. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Hobby Lobby, allowing them to refuse birth control coverage for their employees. In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Burwell v.

What is the religion of Hobby Lobby owner?

Hobby Lobby's owners, the Green family, are devout Evangelical Christians, specifically rooted in Pentecostal traditions, with the founder David Green coming from a family of preachers. Their faith heavily influences the company's operations, leading to practices like closing stores on Sundays, promoting Biblical principles, and significant donations to Christian ministries, including funding the Museum of the Bible. 

Why do liberals dislike Hobby Lobby?

Liberals fear that this holding aggressively extends the protection of RFRA while undermining the compelling goal of the contraceptive mandate. In fact, the holding is quite nuanced and limited, and much liberal reaction reflects discomfort with RFRA itself.

What did Hobby Lobby do with the artifacts?

In a settlement last year with the Justice Department, Hobby Lobby agreed to forfeit the objects and paid a $3 million fine. In May, about 3,800 objects were handed back to the Iraqi government at a ceremony at its Washington, D.C., embassy, and will be returned to Iraq later this year.

What does DEI mean at Hobby Lobby?

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Hobby Lobby Store

Explore how workplace culture impacts people of different demographics, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and veteran status.

What birth control brands are being involved in the lawsuit?

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals: Bayer manufactures Yaz® and Yasmin® birth control pills (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol). Both have been named in birth control pill lawsuits. Bayer also manufactures Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system), which is associated with IUD injuries.

What is the significance of the Hobby Lobby case?

The Court ruled against birth control access in a 5-to-4 decision, with the majority of the justices saying that Hobby Lobby and other “closely held corporations” could deny birth control coverage to their employees. The ruling set a new precedent.

Is Hobby Lobby really paying 18.50 an hour?

Hobby Lobby paid $18.50/hour as its minimum for full-time employees starting January 1, 2022, but they've raised wages since then; as of late 2024, their minimum wage increased to $19.25/hour, and they've even announced wages around $20.15/hour for full-time workers by October 2025, showing they adjust pay upwards for full-time staff, with part-time rates also increasing. 

What is Hobby Lobby's political stance?

As an evangelical Protestant-owned company, Hobby Lobby incorporates American conservative values and Christian media.

Does Hobby Lobby cover vasectomies?

In fact, Hobby Lobby has continued to cover male contraception (vasectomies) even after the Burwell decision. In California, the FEHA prohibits employment discrimination by way of two different theories.

Does Hobby Lobby donate 50% of their profits?

Hobby Lobby Founder and CEO David Green opens up about the moment that led to the company donating half its earnings every year to ministries like One Hope, YouVersion, and Museum of the Bible.

Why is Hobby Lobby closed on Sunday?

Hobby Lobby closes on Sundays due to the deeply held Christian faith of its founders, the Green family, who observe Sunday as a day of rest and worship (the Sabbath) and believe in providing employees time for family and religious observance, a principle they uphold over potential profits. This practice is a core part of their business identity, extending to pausing all online activity and business operations on Sundays to honor their commitment. 

What's controversial about Hobby Lobby?

Hobby Lobby controversies center on the owner's conservative Christian beliefs influencing company policy, notably the Supreme Court case allowing them to deny contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) based on religious freedom. Other major issues include accusations of acquiring smuggled antiquities for their Museum of the Bible, leading to settlements and repatriation of artifacts, and alleged discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees, as seen in a successful lawsuit by a transgender woman over restroom access. 

What happens if you find Indian remains on your property?

Stop immediately and contact the County Coroner. The coroner has two working days to examine human remains after being notified by the responsible person. If the remains are Native American, the Coroner has 24 hours to notify the Native American Heritage Commission.

Why are you not supposed to pick up arrowheads?

It's illegal to collect arrowheads on U.S. public lands (federal, state, tribal) because they are protected cultural resources under laws like the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). Removing them destroys crucial context for scientists, robs future generations of discovery, disrespects Native American heritage, and can lead to fines or jail time, even if found on the surface, as they are considered government property or sacred items. 

How much can you sell a real arrowhead for?

Get "Overstreet Arrowhead Guide" they are the definitive authority on prices. You may have one or two rare ones worth more than the whole collection. Average EBay price on a field grade point is $5.00. You can use an arrowheads price and identification book to value the rest .