RELIGION HEADLINES

(SRN NEWS) – Abortion advocates are moving to repeal a 15-week abortion ban in Arizona that conflicts with an amendment approved by voters last month.  The ballot measure amends the Arizona constitution to allow abortions up to fetal viability — at about 21 weeks of pregnancy. The American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights have filed suit in Maricopa County Superior Court on behalf of two abortion doctors.  Opponents of the ballot measure say they’ll seek to intervene where appropriate.

A federal appeals court has ruled that most of Idaho’s law that makes it illegal to help underage girls get an abortion without their parents’ consent can take effect while a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality continues.  The decision by the 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals says the statute’s prohibition on helping a minor get an abortion by harboring and transporting them is likely to be found constitutional and can be enforced.  The part of the law pertaining to recruiting or influencing pregnant girls to have an abortion will remain on hold.

Attorneys for a transgender athlete have urged the Minnesota Supreme Court to allow him to compete in the women’s division at powerlifting events, saying he’s protected against discrimination by the Minnesota Human Rights Act.  USA Powerlifting rejected J.C. Cooper’s application in 2018 to compete in the women’s division of its events on the grounds that he is a man and enjoys strength advantages over actual women. Cooper sued in 2021, and a trial court sided with him but the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed that decision.

The LGBT agenda is again causing problems for religious soccer players.  Rainbow-colored captain’s armbands were issued to the 20 clubs in England’s Premier League this month, but Sam Morsey of Ipswich says he won’t wear one.  Morsey, a practicing Muslim, says he made the decision due to his religious beliefs. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace captain Mark Guehi (GOOEY) opted to wear the rainbow armband but added the phrase “I love Jesus” to it for a match against Newcastle.  Soccer players in Europe have been punished for refusing to promote homosexuality.