An Indiana court ruled that Jews have a religious liberty right to abortion. Here's why that matters.

[Richard D]

(JTA) — Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the right to abortion is no longer protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. But that seismic constitutional change has triggered a new legal debate: In the absence of federal constitutional protection, does state law provide Jews with a religious liberty right to abortion? Last week an Indiana state appellate court answered yes to the question — invoking variations on the word “Jew” more than 70 times in the process.

As the first state appellate court answer to the question, the ruling presents a persuasive case for other state courts to follow, potentially opening the door for Jews — and others with similar religious commitments — to secure abortions that are motivated by religious values even where such abortions are otherwise prohibited by state law.

Now, with Arizona’s decision this week barring abortion after six weeks and with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump saying that he would leave abortion decisions up to states rather than sign the federal ban that some on the right want, the significance of the ruling appears to have grown even since it was issued.

https://www.jta.org/2024/04/11/ideas/an-indiana-court-ruled-that-jews-have-a-religious-liberty-right-to-abortion-heres-why-that-matters

[marble falls]

1. And in Indiana, yet. Shocked.

[JohnSJ]

2. If this goes to the SC, and they rule similarly, one wonders if there will be

an increase in conversions.

[Maraya1969]

3. I was thinking the same thing. How do you prove you are Jewish except by joining

a temple? But that costs money.

[JohnSJ]

4. It is a formal process, and documented. The only issue is that it takes time, and

if it is being done because an abortion is needed, it may be a problem.

That being said, I don’t see why anyone can’t say their religious views allow abortion, Jewish, or any religion

[wnylib]

7. Agree. See my post #6.

[wnylib]

6. I am picturing Ancestry.com being flooded with mtDNA tests

to "prove" Jewish ancestry.

Or, other religious groups who have made official statements about abortion being morally acceptable in certain situations (rape, incest, poverty, abusive relationships, health and life of the pregnant person, non-viability of the fetus) might also claim religious freedom to abortion.

[Qutzupalotl]

5. Weird that a party supposedly based on Judeo-Christian values

rejected its own tenets when a political wedge was advantageous.

[Maraya1969]

8. Maybe not. My religion believes that there is neither birth nor death so an abortion

is not judged and murder would not be judged as "taking of a life" because the belief is that there was no 'life" to be taken. If the body is killed that life continues

[keithbvadu2]

9. Start a Christian denomination that allows abortion in its tenets.

The phony pro-lifers would be in the position of having to (dis)approve a religion as Christian.

You could be a member from far away. Just get on the rolls.

Trump proves that you don't have to attend church to be a member.

[Richard D]

10. This should be possible . . .

. . . there are exactly zero mentions of abortion or terminating or preventing pregnancy in the Christian bible.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. The Bible does not support the RWNJ's view on abortion