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Explainer: Texas authorizes citizens to enforce new abortion lawTexas recently passed a new law that would allow citizens, rather than government officials, to enforce a new law that prohibits abortion as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. “The Texas Heartbeat Act is novel in approach, allowing for citizens to hold abortionists accountable through private lawsuits,” says Rebecca Parma, a senior legislative associate with Texas Right to Life. “No heartbeat law passed by another state has taken this strategy. Additionally, the bill does not punish women who obtain abortions.” Here is what you should know about this new pro-life legislation. Read MoreThis Week in Washington, D.C.The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled in a 7-3 decision that churches’ supervision of clergy, not only hiring and firing, is encompassed by the “ministerial exception” legal doctrine. This rule, created by the Supreme Court in 2012, allows for the hiring and firing decisions of churches and other religious institutions to be made according to their beliefs. The Seventh Circuit case involved the firing of a Chicago-area Catholic church music director after he married his male partner; the music director, in turn, sued the church for discriminatory firing and a hostile work environment. After a Seventh Circuit panel ruled in favor of the music director last August, the ERLC, in tandem with other faith-based organizations, filed a friend-of-the-court brief calling on the court to rehear the case. The court’s decision last week is a win for advocates of religious liberty, as well as churches and religious institutions. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, the ERLC's acting director of policy, praised the ruling: “Church affairs are no place for secular governing authorities to exert influence. It is imperative that courts continue to affirm the ministerial exception because, to do otherwise, would render the separation of church and state meaningless.” Get the latest from our DC teamFrom The Public SquareThe Biden Administration Can Capitalize on the International Religious Freedom Summit As the Biden administration continues to prioritize human rights in US foreign policy, it should look to the upcoming IRF Summit, running from July 13 to 15, as a forum where it can promote this agenda with a broad coalition that is diverse in both religious composition and political affiliation. UN: world hunger was dramatically worse in pandemic year A United Nations report says last year saw a “dramatic worsening” of world hunger, much of that likely linked to the pandemic. Court finds Air Force largely at fault for 2017 Texas church shooting A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that the U.S. Air Force is 60 percent responsible for the November 2017 shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which left 25 people dead and 22 wounded. Does Religiosity Protect Against Infidelity? Two of the main ways religion may prevent extramarital affairs is by preventing individuals from flirting with someone who is not their spouse and by reducing their use of pornography. What You Need to ReadAndrew Bertodatti with What life is like in the U.S. for an immigrant Forced displacement is a growing and urgent global crisis. A multitude of conditions, including religious persecution, force people from their homes to pursue safety and the well-being of their families. As the worldwide refugee crisis becomes increasingly dire, churches have an opportunity to profoundly affect displaced people by extending compassion, hospitality, and advocacy. Jordan Wootten with How remembering our mortality helps us live today Death remains our enemy, this much is certain. But what Satan meant for evil, in his whisperings to Eve and in Christ’s agonized cries from the cross, God has turned for our good. The crucified and resurrected one has crushed the head of the serpent, and because “he went first,” our resurrection will soon follow. Death has been defeated, and that’s worth remembering in a way that transforms our lives today. Heather Rice-Minus with A new documentary sheds light on reentry after prison Each person is made in the image of God, and no life is beyond his reach. Followers of Christ are called to share the grace and truth of the gospel with all people and to minister to those who are marginalized or oppressed. The act of serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families in the name of Jesus is not only a ministry but also a means of worship and spiritual growth. Recognizing the basic, God-given dignity of each individual, we should create a culture that celebrates formerly incarcerated people’s worth and potential, regardless of their past. This Week at the ERLCDaniel Patterson praised the settlement reached between Capitol Hill Baptist Church and Washington, D.C. He also expressed gratitude for the U.S. Senate passing the Uyghur Forced Labor Act, a bill the ERLC strongly supported.Chelsea Patterson Sobolik talked to Baptist Press about an important court ruling protecting the ministerial exception. Jason Thacker discussed the danger of deepfake videos in an interview with The Alabama Baptist. Featured PodcastsIn last week's episode of the ERLC Podcast, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss the assassination of Haiti’s president, how new deaths from covid remain from those who are unvaccinated, a summer Olympics without any spectators, and the winner of the national spelling bee. Listen NowIn this episode of the WeeklyTech Podcast, Jason Thacker is joined by Dr. Gregg Allison, professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to talk about his new book, Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World. Listen Now Share Tweet Forward
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