A Missouri judge has determined that state lawmakers did not intend to impose their religious beliefs on residents when they passed a strict abortion ban. This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit from over a dozen Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist leaders who support abortion rights.
Last year, the groups sought a permanent injunction to prevent Missouri from enforcing its abortion law.They also requested a declaration that certain provisions violate the state Constitution.
One part of the statute in question reads: “In recognition that Almighty God is the author of life, that all men and women are ‘endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life.'”
Judge Jason Sengheiser noted in his ruling that similar language is found in the preamble to the Missouri Constitution, which refers to a “profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.” He pointed out that the rest of the challenged provisions do not contain explicit religious language.
“While the determination that life begins at conception may run counter to some religious beliefs, it is not itself necessarily a religious belief,” Sengheiser wrote. “As such, it does not prevent all men and women from worshipping Almighty God or not worshipping according to the dictates of their own consciences.”
The Americans United for Separation of Church & State and the National Women’s Law Center, representing the religious leaders, responded in a joint statement.
“Missouri’s abortion ban is a direct attack on the separation of church and state, religious freedom and reproductive freedom,” the statement said.
Attorneys for the state argued that the law does not force religious beliefs on others just because some supporters oppose abortion on religious grounds.
Sengheiser mentioned that the state has a history of restricting and criminalizing abortion. He cited statutes that are over a century old. “Essentially, the only thing that changed is that Roe was reversed, opening the door to this further regulation,” he said.
In 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov Mike Parson quickly enacted a 2019 law. This law prohibits abortions except in cases of medical emergencies and included a provision to take effect only if Roe was overturned.
The law makes performing or inducing an abortion a felony, punishable by five to 15 years in prison. Medical professionals who perform abortions also risk losing their licenses. The law specifies that women who undergo abortions cannot be prosecuted.
Missouri already had some of the nation’s more restrictive abortion laws. As a result, many residents traveled to clinics in neighboring states like Illinois and Kansas for the procedure.
(With inputs from agencies)
Last year, the groups sought a permanent injunction to prevent Missouri from enforcing its abortion law.They also requested a declaration that certain provisions violate the state Constitution.
One part of the statute in question reads: “In recognition that Almighty God is the author of life, that all men and women are ‘endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life.'”
Judge Jason Sengheiser noted in his ruling that similar language is found in the preamble to the Missouri Constitution, which refers to a “profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.” He pointed out that the rest of the challenged provisions do not contain explicit religious language.
“While the determination that life begins at conception may run counter to some religious beliefs, it is not itself necessarily a religious belief,” Sengheiser wrote. “As such, it does not prevent all men and women from worshipping Almighty God or not worshipping according to the dictates of their own consciences.”
The Americans United for Separation of Church & State and the National Women’s Law Center, representing the religious leaders, responded in a joint statement.
“Missouri’s abortion ban is a direct attack on the separation of church and state, religious freedom and reproductive freedom,” the statement said.
Attorneys for the state argued that the law does not force religious beliefs on others just because some supporters oppose abortion on religious grounds.
Sengheiser mentioned that the state has a history of restricting and criminalizing abortion. He cited statutes that are over a century old. “Essentially, the only thing that changed is that Roe was reversed, opening the door to this further regulation,” he said.
In 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Gov Mike Parson quickly enacted a 2019 law. This law prohibits abortions except in cases of medical emergencies and included a provision to take effect only if Roe was overturned.
The law makes performing or inducing an abortion a felony, punishable by five to 15 years in prison. Medical professionals who perform abortions also risk losing their licenses. The law specifies that women who undergo abortions cannot be prosecuted.
Missouri already had some of the nation’s more restrictive abortion laws. As a result, many residents traveled to clinics in neighboring states like Illinois and Kansas for the procedure.
(With inputs from agencies)