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The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.
What’s happening with the debate on infanticide in Congress?
The debate in Washington over infanticide is rightly shocking to many, but tragically, flows from the abortion industry’s recent advocacy for late-term abortion.
In recent weeks, the applause for late-term abortion in New York and the defense of infanticide in Virginia led U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse (R–Neb.) to the floor of the Senate on Thursday, Jan. 31, to call for a vote on his legislation, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, to protect the very babies Gov. Northam advocated for leaving on the table.
The Born-Alive bill is important because current federal law lacks sufficient legal protection and medical provision for children who survive failed abortions. When a child is born alive, whether in a hospital, at home, or in an abortion clinic, any action taken to end that child’s life is and always ought to be considered murder. Withholding medical care from such an infant denies the human dignity affirmed to that precious child by God. Such a callous dereliction of responsibility by the legal system also denies that child’s basic human right of life as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
This Week at the ERLC
Last weekend, Russell Moore addressed the Ralph Northam scandal. Read his article here.
- Under Andrew T. Walker’s direction, a group of Christian ministry leaders met this week for ThinkLab: Ministry in a Gender Confused Age. This group took time to think through the difficulty of transgender issues facing the church and will eventually develop a resource meant to help churches.
- This week, members of our staff met to plan for Evangelicals for Life 2020. If you are interested in standing for life and understanding issues of human dignity, stayed tuned. In the meantime, you can watch the videos from our 2019 conference here.
What You Need to Know
Are you familiar with the term “deepfake”? If not, you probably should be because this technology has serious implications. Jason Thacker gives us important information about these fake videos. Read his article here.
“[T]here is a newer AI technology that allows someone to not only replace the voice of the speaker but alter their facial characteristics in order to make them say whatever you want. While it might make for a funny YouTube video to share online, the potential use of this new technology will have disturbing and profound effects on society in the years to come.
Sadly, a demographic of people who are often overlooked in our churches are senior citizens. They are often removed from community, whether involuntarily or by choice. Simply put, we have to be a people who go to them in Jesus’ name. Sheila Dougal, a longtime nurse, shares 3 ways we can bring the gospel to the elderly. Read her piece here.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there will be more people over age 65 than children by 2035. This swell in the aging population is what some are calling the “grey tsunami.” But I think Jesus would call it the white harvest. In the coming years, onr in every five residents in the U.S. will be elderly. Our neighborhoods, churches, and hospitals are filling with the boomers of the 1940s to 1960s. But is the church looking to reach them?
News From Capitol Hill
The ERLC policy team is engaged in the current debate on infanticide and late-term abortions sparked by the state legislators and governors of New York and Virginia.
On Monday, Sen. Sasse called for a vote by unanimous consent on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. “Let’s be clear," Sen. Sasse said in his floor speech, "We’re talking about fourth-trimester abortion or what anyone in the normal world calls infanticide.” In addition to Sen. Sasse, Leader McConnell and Sens. Ernst (R–Iowa), Hawley (R–Mo.), Lankford (R–Okla.), and Braun (R–Ind.) each spoke in support of the Born-Alive bill.
The vote, however, was then blocked by Senator Patty Murray (D–Wash.). Sen. Murray arrived on the floor in time to object and then promptly left. Her reasoning for objecting was that it was “a gross misinterpretation of the actual language of the bill that is being asked to be considered.” After her objection, Sen. Ernst replied, “This body can no longer unanimously condemn murder.”
The ERLC is committed to the vision Christ gives us of the kingdom of God where people flourish because human dignity is upheld and the justice required by Scripture is fulfilled. This is why the ERLC policy team in Washington advocates for justice as defined by Christ, whether the assault on human dignity comes from a white supremacist in the streets of Charlottesville or a governor on the airwaves of WTOP radio. As ERLC president Russell Moore stated in his article on the Virginia governor’s scandal, “Abortion and racial injustice are alike an affront to human dignity, and to the image of God.” In this moment of national debate, it is once again critical for the people of the cross to respond with clarity.
Americans deserve to know where their elected officials stand on infanticide. The ERLC joins with the pro-life advocacy community in urging the U.S. Senate to take a roll call vote soon on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
Featured Podcasts
“In the final days of the 115th Congress, a significant and bipartisan federal criminal justice reform bill was signed into law at the White House. The First Step Act, which sought both prison and sentencing reforms, enjoyed overwhelming votes in the Senate and House this past December. Yet the bill’s journey to passage was as unlikely as the coalition of conservatives and liberals who supported it. Join the D.C. team and Heather Rice-Minus as they dicuss this. Listen here
Marriage, parenting, and discipleship—what could be difficult or confusing about these topics? In today’s society, the answer is “a lot.” On the ERLC Podcast, Todd Wagner discussed marriage and parenting and how being intentional with discipleship within these relationships can bring great joy. Tune in here.
From The Public Square
Supreme Court asked to put Louisiana abortion law on hold
Carol Zimmermann, Crux
The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily put on hold a state law restricting Louisiana abortion providers.
Why Human Dignity Is a Gospel Issue
Joseph D’Souza, Christianity Today
Jesus' message was coupled with the restoration of God-given human dignity — their Imago-Dei.
Preserving the Integrity of the Bible in China
Emma Childs and Olivia Enos, Daily Signal
China’s attempts to secularize religion have spilled over into rewriting the Bible.
Ex-Turkish prisoner Andrew Brunson calls for release of detained Americans
Eli Okun, Politico
“There’s still a number of American citizens who are held in Turkey, and I hope that there will be continued interest in getting them released,” Brunson said.
