Synagogue challenges Florida abortion law over religion
AP via Yahoo News
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) A new Florida law prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks with some exceptions violates religious freedom rights of Jews in addition to the state constitution's privacy protections, a synagogue claims in a lawsuit.
The lawsuit filed by the Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor of Boynton Beach contends the law that takes effect July 1 violates Jewish teachings, which state abortion is required if necessary to protect the health, mental or physical well-being of the woman and for other reasons.
As such, the act prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom, says the lawsuit, filed last week in Leon County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit adds that people who do not share the religious views reflected in the act will suffer" and that it threatens the Jewish people by imposing the laws of other religions upon Jews.
The lawsuit is the second challenge to the 15-week abortion ban enacted earlier this year by the Legislature and signed into law by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health providers also sued earlier this month to block the law from taking effect.