Missouri abortion ban wasn't about lawmakers imposing religious beliefs, judge says

Missouri abortion ban wasn't about lawmakers imposing religious beliefs, judge says
Judge rejects argument lawmakers intended to “impose their religious beliefs.”



https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-rejects-religious-leaders-challenge-missouri-abortion-ban-111157417
By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press


June 15, 2024, 3:19 PM



A judge in Missouri says lawmakers who passed a restrictive abortion ban were not trying to impose their religious beliefs on everyone in the state, rejecting a case filed by more than a dozen Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist leaders who support abortion rights.

The groups sought a permanent injunction last year barring Missouri from enforcing its abortion law and a declaration that provisions violate the state Constitution.

One section of the statute at issue 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 said in his ruling Friday that there is similar language in the preamble to the Missouri Constitution, which expresses “profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.” The rest of the challenged provisions contain no explicit religious language, he said..................

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