Abortion

A pro-life Democratic group and a Catholic organization announced this week separate campaigns to defend pro-life Democratic lawmakers who voted for the landmark federal health care overhaul against a partisan “misinformation” campaign.

Wholelifeheroes.org, launched by Democrats for Life of America, seeks to prove how 16 Democratic Members of Congress remain consistent with their pro-life principles despite voting for the new health care law.

The new website features fact checks that challenge assertions made by pro-life critics of the law as well as detailed information about the law’s pro-life policies, and the life-protecting records of the “Whole Life Heroes.” more >>

Pro-life and social conservative groups are in an uproar over what they say is the first federal funding of elective abortion under the new health care legislation.

The National Right to Life Committee accused the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of approving Pennsylvania’s request for $160 million for a new “high-risk” insurance program that will use federal funds to subsidize coverage of nearly all abortions before the 24th week of pregnancy.

Although the Pennsylvania plan on abortion states that “elective abortions are not covered,” NRLC points out that the detailed plan neglects to define “elective.” The Pennsylvania plan also elsewhere states that coverage includes abortions and contraceptives that fulfill requirements of several specific statutes. One of the statutes says that abortion is legal in Pennsylvania if a physician believes it is “necessary” based on “all factors (physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman’s age) relevant to the well-being of the woman.” more >>

After years of bitter court battles, attorneys of the state of Washington conceded that pharmacies have the right not to stock Plan B pills based on conscience rights.

Attorneys told a federal judge on Wednesday that the state will seek to create new rules for pharmacists with conscientious objections. The new regulations would allow the plaintiffs in the lawsuit – the owners of Ralph’s Thriftway pharmacy and two pharmacists – to not stock nor dispense Plan B, also known as the “the morning after pill.”

Plan B is a controversial contraceptive pill that prevents implantation. Pro-life groups and individuals are opposed to the drug because they contend it is tantamount to abortion. more >>

Spain's more liberal abortion law went into effect Monday amid protests by pro-life groups.

The new law, which was approved in February, declares abortion a woman's right and allows the procedure without restrictions up to the 14th week of pregnancy.

Prior to the legislation, women could only legally have an abortion up to 12 weeks' gestation in cases of rape and up to 22 weeks if there is a fetal malformation. Abortions were also allowed when the mother’s physical or mental health is at risk. more >>

America currently stands in a very dangerous position, said renowned pastor and author Dr. Charles Stanley. Today more than ever, the country is turning away from God and moving closer toward socialism, he warned. And the consequences will be grave.

"We know the truth, we know the principles of God. In spite of all that, we find ourselves as a nation violating the laws of God, heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and the generations that are to come unless there is a change," he said.

Speaking to thousands at First Baptist Church of Atlanta and to a live Web audience on Friday, Stanley delivered a sobering 4th of July message about a dangerous spiritual tide that is engulfing the country and the crucial need for prayer. more >>

A lawsuit against public funding of embryonic stem cell research was revitalized Friday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit that contends the Obama administration’s embryonic stem cell research policy violates federal law. The court found that the plaintiffs have “competitive standing” to sue.

“Although private-sector funding of embryonic stem cell research has been practically unlimited, it has failed to produce results,” said Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden, in a statement. more >>