Explained: the religious freedom impacts of the Texas abortion law
Plus Catholic pilgrims killed in South Sudan, Christian adoption center splintering over LGBTQ families & more
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Last week, the Supreme Court upheld a Texas “heartbeat bill” in a 5-4 decision. The law prohibits abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. More unusually, it allows all individual citizens to enforce the law by suing anyone aiding and abetting an abortion prohibited by the law.
Our legal columnist Chelsea Langston Bombino explains what the law means for Texas and considers the effect on religious freedom. The Texas abortion law could affect the religious liberties of those providing pastoral care for women considering abortion or Jews who, in accordance with Jewish teaching, seek an abortion to save the life of the mother.
“Let’s pray there are religious and spiritual leaders and institutions on all sides of this issue willing to offer vulnerable women, and their unborn babies, social, spiritual and material support that will encourage them not only to choose life but to live it abundantly, for them and their children,” she writes.
See you next week.
The Religious Freedom Impacts Of The Texas Abortion Law
Christian Adoption Center Splintering Over Allowing LGBTQ Families by Steve Rabey
Safe Families for Children, a national nonprofit that markets itself to churches and evangelical donors as a faith-based alternative to foster care, is losing some of its 100 local chapters that are starting new, independent groups to work only with traditional male-female families.
Catholic Pilgrims Killed In South Sudan Latest Victims Of Violence by Juma Peter
Unidentified gunmen recently ambushed a van carrying Catholic pilgrims along a highway in eastern South Sudan, killing five people including two Catholic nuns. The attack is only the latest to highlight the dangers faced by faith leaders trying to usher in reconciliation after civil war and aiding a humanitarian crisis of an estimated 8.3 million people.
Belarus Brings Criminal Charges Against Church For Outdoor Worship by Olga Glace
Officials are threatening Pastor Vyacheslav Goncharenko and other members of New Life Pentecostal Church in the capital Minsk with administrative and criminal charges for continuing to hold meetings for worship in the open air in the church car park.
Kanye West 'Donda' Shows His Deeper Faith Walk by Princess Jones
(REVIEW) After much anticipation, Kanye West’s tenth studio album “Donda” released. The 27-track album shows the evolution of Kanye’s Christian faith and its inspiration for impressive pop music.
Churches Of Christ Assess Damage, Gear Up For Hurricane Ida Relief by Erik Tryggestad
The Category 4 storm downed power lines and tore roofs from buildings, including the meeting places of at least two Churches of Christ, and caused damage across the city.
Opinion
Weekend Plug-In: From Ida To Afghanistan To Abortion, The Best Religion Reads In A Gigantic News Week by Bobby Ross Jr.
Everything The Media Will Cover About Afghanistan Is Bound Up With A Rigid Form Of Islam by Richard Ostling
When Facing Vaccine Doubters In The Pews, Trust Instead Of Shame Is Crucial by Terry Mattingly
United Methodist Prelude: Small Denomination Faces Its Own Split Over Bible And Sex by Richard Ostling
Why Is The US Government Blocking Refugee Flights From Afghanistan? by Lela Gilbert
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How do you help the homeless and mentally ill in America?
Religion Unplugged visited the Orange Country Rescue Mission in California to learn more about one of the most innovative approaches to homelessness in America. We spoke with Jim Palmer, the president and CEO of the Rescue Mission at the Village of Hope, a unique college campus-like facility that trains homeless men and women in life and job skills while treating other aspects of the whole person. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
Don't Overlook How The Catholic Church Has Helped Afghanistan For Years by Clemente Lisi
(OPINION) I want to place a spotlight on the important work of Christian groups across Afghanistan over the years, the little mention they have received by the secular press, a recent story that illustrates both the plight of Afghan refugees and the Catholic converts now living outside the country who have been crucial in helping people get out.
How The Jason Bourne Films Inspired A Pill-Sized Bible by Leif Le Mahieu
A China-based Christian ministry hosts hacker events for Christians with backgrounds in the CIA, military and related intelligence fields. They use advanced technology to create and use devices ranging from drones, Bibles the size of credit cards and a pocket-sized WiFi device called the Gospel Cloud, inventions that 007 would be proud of if he were a man of God.
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