Tag: abortion

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BREAKING: SCOTUS docs leaked

Late last night, Politico reported that they had obtained the leaked opinion – not a final ruling – from Justice Alito in the Dobbs case, indicating that Roe v. Wade and Casey would be overturned and the right to make laws on abortion sent back to the states.

While we are jubilated by the hope that Roe and its deadly consequences may be rightfully overturned soon, what is shocking is that this leak is unprecedented. In the 1970s, there were a handful of early “scoops” on rulings, but for such a consequential case, this leak is troubling.

We know that Roe v. Wade was erroneously decided; the original ruling invented the “right” to abortion out of thin air. We know that from a constitutional perspective, Roe stands no legitimate chance, and we do expect SCOTUS to rule in favor of life once the final ruling is actually released.

We praise God that the pro-life movement continues to secure major victories throughout the nation. We pray for wisdom, however, to navigate what seems to be a nefarious plot to try and change the natural course of law in the US. We expect for the radical left to attempt to force the federal codification of Roe before it may be overturned.

What we do know: God is, always has been, and always will be in control.

Thank you for standing with the Indiana Family Institute in prayer and action.

God’s will be done.

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Indiana lawmakers seek possible special session on abortion

Although Indiana’s legislative session is over, some Republican lawmakers have requested to return for a special session if Roe v. Wade is overturned or altered by the Supreme Court this year. A letter was sent to Governor Holcomb asking him to call them back to discuss changing Indiana’s abortion laws. Major action has been held off as pro-life legislators wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on a Mississippi law that will hopefully overturn Roe.

As of now, Indiana has some of the strongest pro-life laws in the nation, but if Roe were overturned we could do much more. Although the federal courts have overturned some of our pro-life laws, the Dobbs decision could change that.

While our state has made great strides to limit legal abortions, there is still more to be done. A special session is needed for lawmakers to implement even stronger protections for the unborn child.

The fate of abortion lies in the ruling of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The law from Mississippi “protects the health of pregnant mothers, the dignity of unborn children, and the integrity of the medical profession by limiting abortions after 15 weeks in gestational age, permitting them only in medical emergencies or for severe fetal abnormality.”

Here’s what’s at stake: “[i]f the Supreme Court decides that Mississippi’s commonsense law is constitutional, it will upend Roe v. Wade, freeing states to enact abortion laws based on the wishes and values of their citizens.” Therein lies the conflict and why the justices’ decision is so paramount to the future of abortion.

Please continue to pray for the Supreme Court and our justices, that they would deliver a favorable outcome and stand up for the lives of the unborn. Just imagine a world where life is treasured instead of torn apart. With Roe overturned, that dream is one step closer to becoming reality.

Prayer is our greatest weapon! Pray for Indiana legislators, pray for the end of Roe, pray for a changing culture on abortion, and pray for the next generation of pro-life leaders.

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Troubling statement from President Biden

In honor of International Women’s Day, President Biden made a troubling statement regarding abortion. “Every person deserves the chance to live up to their full God-given potential, without regard for gender or other factors. Yet too often, in too many places, women and girls face obstacles that limit their possibilities and undermine their participation in economic, political, and social life.” He further affirmed his administration’s commitment to “ma[ke] gender equity a cornerstone” and even “launched a whole-of-government effort to protect reproductive rights.”

This statement is deeply distressing as he is suggesting that women can’t reach their God-given potential without the availability of abortion. Not only is it demeaning, it is very wrong. Violence can never, and should never, be used to achieve equality. It’s a sad reflection of the dehumanization of the child in the womb, and actually quite insulting to women to assert that they won’t be able to achieve their dreams with children.

IFI believes that life starts at conception and must therefore be protected. Women should never be intimidated to abort their child out of fear, desperation, or concern of societal stigma. Statements like the one above are very damaging and dangerous to those considering abortion. It does not provide encouragement or confidence to women who are already struggling with a life-altering decision.

That is why we worked to pass HB 1217. This bill will penalize anyone who coerces a woman into having an abortion and results in a felony. Women seeking an abortion must be informed that coerced abortions are illegal, and abortion clinics are required to report instances of coercion to law enforcement. Every life is gift from God, and we want women in Indiana to recognize the value of their unborn child.

Thanks to your support and activism, HB 1217 passed in the House and the Senate! It now heads to Governor Holcomb’s desk where it must be signed before becoming law.

But we still need your help. Please contact Holcomb and ask him to approve this critical bill. Women deserve to feel loved and supported during the miracle of pregnancy, not coerced into making an egregious mistake.

Let’s protect women and their unborn children from threats of violence and other coercion.

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Planned Parenthood Attacks HB 1217

Last week, the Indiana House of Representatives voted to advance crucial pro-life legislation. House Bill 1217 makes coercing a woman into an abortion a felony and requires that any woman seeking an abortion is informed that coerced abortion is illegal. If an employee of an abortion clinic believes a woman is being coerced, the worker would be instructed to offer the woman a telephone and alternate exit from the building.

Coerced abortion is unfortunately a frequent occurrence. Studies show that 64% of women who seek abortions feel pressure to abort, and 67% of post-abortive women said they were not offered any counseling before undergoing an abortion. Many women experience intimidation from employers, threats of violence and homelessness, or cycles of abuse from their partners, leading them to feel as though abortion is their only option.

While it’s clear that women need protection, Planned Parenthood has outspokenly opposed our bill here in Indiana. Lisa Humes-Schulz, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates released a statement on the bill. “HB 1217 has nothing to do with protecting pregnant people from coercion and everything to do with endangering patient safety and access to time-sensitive essential care…This bill would actually further endanger patient safety and access and we urge the Senate to reject it.”

If Planned Parenthood really cared about women or “choice,” as they claim, they would support this bill. The bill simply protects women from being forced to make a life-changing decision under coercion that ultimately leads to harm and grief. Planned Parenthood only cares to protect its industry.

Planned Parenthood’s opposition makes sense in light of the fact that it is responsible for 40% of abortions nationwide. Ensuring that women aren’t being forced into an abortion might mean that fewer are performed and thus, less revenue. This is the real reason Planned Parenthood opposes the bill.

No woman should ever feel the need to end the life of her child out of fear or desperation. 

Please contact your local representatives and urge them to pass HB 1217. Let’s also keep women who are in troubling situations and feeling pressured to abort in our prayers. Please pray that they may be able to see beyond their circumstances and recognize the value of their child.

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Pro-Life Discrimination at Noblesville High

While public schools love to claim they champion diversity and inclusion, many times, they don’t practice what they preach. Christian students in particular are often hindered from expressing their beliefs through clubs or other on campus activities. Moreover, schools are hostile toward parents and often prevent their involvement. Administrators have made it clear that they want to control students by filtering the ideas that are allowed on campus.

Micah Beckwith of The Times of Noblesville told the story of a freshman student who wanted to start a “Students for Life” club at Noblesville High School. From Beckwith’s column:

“Emma, whose last name has been removed per the family’s request, is a 15-year-old freshman student at Noblesville High School who felt led to start a pro-life student club called “Students For Life.” Early in the summer of 2021, Emma began laying the groundwork to start the club at Noblesville High School. Students For Life is a national pro-life organization designed to raise awareness for adaption and fight against the brutality of abortion. However, to Emma’s dismay, the school denied her the right to start the pro-life club at the direction of Principal Craig McCaffrey.”

However, the school prohibited her from starting the club simply because her mother was present at an informational meeting and the principal allegedly doubted that the club was student-led. This story unfortunately demonstrates both of the prevalent themes of disrespect towards parental involvement and hostility towards Christian and conservative ideas.

Parental involvement in schools should be encouraged – not discouraged. Parents have every right to be involved in their child’s education. In fact, they should be as involved as possible. However, our nation is undergoing an attack on parental rights and even our own government leaders have discouraged parental involvement, even here in Indiana. Superintendent Beth Niedermeyer has even implied that schools are better equipped to teach children than parents themselves.

Schools like Noblesville have made it difficult for parents to be involved and have displayed outright hostility to pro-life and Christian viewpoints. Clearly, it’s time we take back education in Indiana and support our children’s ability to be gospel-bearers to their brothers and sisters.

Let’s pray for a culture that respects both the family and the dignity of human life, and kudos to Emma in Noblesville for leading the charge to speak up for the unborn.

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