A judge in Missouri has ruled against a case filed by Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist leaders who support abortion rights, seeking to block the state from enforcing its restrictive abortion law. The judge stated that the lawmakers behind the ban were not attempting to impose their religious beliefs on the state's residents.
The challenged provisions of the law include language recognizing the sanctity of life and referencing the Creator. However, the judge noted that similar language is present in the preamble to the Missouri Constitution, which expresses reverence for a higher power.
The ruling emphasized that the belief that life begins at conception, while significant to some religious beliefs, is not inherently a religious belief and does not infringe on individuals' freedom of worship or conscience.
Americans United for Separation of Church & State and the National Women’s Law Center, representing the religious leaders, expressed disappointment with the decision and are exploring legal options to challenge the abortion ban.
Attorneys for the state argued that the law does not impose religious beliefs on others, even though some supporters of the ban oppose abortion for religious reasons.
The judge highlighted Missouri's historical efforts to restrict and criminalize abortion, noting that the recent reversal of Roe v. Wade paved the way for further regulation of abortion in the state.
Following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Missouri's Attorney General and Governor swiftly moved to enforce a 2019 law that prohibits most abortions, except in cases of medical emergency. The law imposes severe penalties on medical professionals who perform abortions but does not prosecute women seeking abortions.
Missouri already had stringent abortion laws in place, leading to a decline in the number of abortions performed in the state. Some residents have sought abortion services in neighboring states with less restrictive laws.
