Explainer: Current challenges to abortion bans in 5 states

A recent flurry of lawsuits filed by abortion providers has led some judges to block or stall newly implemented abortion bans and restrictions. Here are five states in which the legal status of abortion is being challenged.

Is your church ready to respond to a post-Roe world?

The release of the Dobbs decision marks a true turning point in the pro-life movement — a moment that Christians, pro-life advocates and many others have worked toward tirelessly for 50 years. As we respond to the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

Since the landmark ruling in the Dobbs case two weeks ago, the abortion landscape has been changing rapidly. This decision overturned the horrific precedents in both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and ultimately sent the issue of abortion back to each state to decide. Since that moment, states, federal legislators, abortion providers, pregnancy resource centers, protestors, and others immediately began to feel the effects. This, in turn, has created an overwhelming flurry of activity on a number of fronts in the abortion debate over the past week.

It is easy to believe that the overturning of Roe means that the fight to end abortion is over, but the reality is that much remains to be done and decided on the issue. The ending of Roe is a massive step worth celebrating, but it also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the pro-life movement. In order for Christians to wisely engage this issue, it is important for us to be aware of how the advocacy efforts and landscare around abortion are quickly changing.

You can read a round-up of some of the most important post-Roe abortion developments here.

Featured Podcasts

On this week's episode of the ERLC Podcast, Brent and Lindsay discuss discuss Happy the elephant and what the controversy teaches us about personhood. They also discuss developments in a post-Roe America and how to talk to your kids about sexting.

On the Digital Public Square podcast, Dean Inserra joins Jason Thacker to talk about Christian culture and the biblical sexual ethic. Dean is the lead pastor of the City Church and author of a recent book entitled Pure: Why the Bible’s Plan for Sexuality isn’t Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive.

From The Public Square

Judge set to hear challenge of Mississippi abortion law
Associated Press

A judge is considering a lawsuit filed by Mississippi’s only abortion clinic, which is trying to remain open by blocking a law that would ban most abortions in the state.

Judge to block Florida abortion ban; Kentucky ban on hold
Associated Press

A Florida judge said Thursday that he will temporarily block a 15-week ban on abortions in his state, but his bench ruling won't take effect before the ban becomes law Friday — an issue that could cause confusion for patients as well as abortion providers.

Texas Supreme Court blocks order that resumed abortions
Associated Press

The Texas Supreme Court has blocked a lower court order that had given some abortion clinics confidence to resume performing abortions.

Florida's 15-week abortion ban temporarily blocked by judge
Associated Press

A Florida judge said Thursday he will temporarily block the state's new law banning all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The measure was signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in April.

What You Need to Read

Chelsea Sobolik with Why miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies are not abortion

As a Christian woman who’s been involved in the pro-life movement for well over a decade, both professionally and personally, it deeply matters to me that the pro-life movement always provides the utmost care and concern for both a woman and her preborn child.

Jackson McNeece with What the Happy the elephant controversy teaches us about personhood

The first commandment God gave Adam in the Garden of Eden was to have dominion over the rest of what God created (Gen. 1:28), a responsibility characterized by cultivation and stewardship. Yet, this case, rather than demonstrating how best to care for creation, can serve as a warning to Christians who seek to define what is or is not a human being especially since this question strikes at the core of many of the most pressing social questions of our day.

Jill Waggoner with How to talk to your kids about the problem of sexting: An interview with the CEO of a parental control app

Children today encounter an online world unlike anything experienced by prior generations. They are introduced to devices early and often, and families increasingly accept them as a normal fixture of everyday life. Over 50% of American kids have their own smartphone by age 11, and on average, 13-year-olds now devote more than seven hours a day to non-school-related screen time.