Abortion

WASHINGTON – New York Times bestselling author and humor writer Eric Metaxas may fool you at first with his non-stop wisecracks (including how he wished the head table at the National Prayer Breakfast was filled with celebrities rather than politicians), but once he gets talking about his Christian faith, he gets pretty serious, pretty fast.

Metaxas, author of books such as Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, was the keynote speaker at the 60th National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. After an entertaining introduction – where everything from the Occupy movement to the hefty prayer breakfast fee ended up as materials for jokes – the born-again Christian author got down to business and focused on contrasting phony religiosity and real faith.

"The lives of both of these men (Wilberforce and Bonhoeffer) illustrate between phony religiosity and really believing in God in a way that it changes your life – it must change your life and the lives of others," said Metaxas. more >>

Pro-life and family groups are celebrating the Susan G. Komen Foundation's decision to cut ties with Planned Parenthood this week. But Douglas R. Scott Jr., president of Life Decisions International, a Planned Parenthood watchdog group, says not so fast.

"Despite Komen's wonderful announcement, actual support of Planned Parenthood will not end for another 13 months or so, Komen will honor commitments made to several Planned Parenthood affiliates prior to implementation of the new policy," Scott said in a released statement.

The breast cancer charity will thus remain in the "Dishonorable Mention" section of LDI's Boycott List. Scott said it would be wrong to drop Komen from The Boycott List, only for the general public to see grants going to Planned Parenthood in the future. more >>

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a bill this week that would limit a controversial decision by the Obama administration mandating health coverage for contraceptive services. He spoke about that bill in a Thursday interview with The Christian Post.

The ruling requires employers to provide free contraceptive services, including abortifacients, in their health insurance coverage. There is an exemption for religious organizations, but it is written so narrowly that most religious organizations, such as schools, hospitals and public service organizations, would not qualify. Rubio's bill would expand the exemption for religious groups.

CP: Your bill, The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, S.B. 2043, expands the religious exemption, but does not get rid of the mandate altogether, correct? more >>

The Virginia state Senate jumpstarted lawmakers' 2012 pro-life agenda Wednesday with the passage of an informed consent bill mandating abortion providers perform an ultrasound on a patient before conducting an abortion.

Supporting senators herald the 21-18 vote as victory for women because the ultrasound bill will ensure they receive more medical information prior to an abortion procedure.

Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, agreed in a statement on the NARAL website that women should have access to an ultrasound but said the state Senate bill forces it on women. more >>

A family studies researcher encouraged pro-life groups to cheer on cancer fund Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation for its decision to discontinue grants for Planned Parenthood and to press other groups to do the same.

Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM), said the Komen Foundation needs pro-lifers' support following its Tuesday decision.

"I think all pro-lifers have to thank Susan G. Komen today. They're coming under vicious attacks today by Planned Parenthood," Ruse told The Christian Post. more >>

Susan G. Komen, one of the largest breast cancer charities in the U.S., has cut ties with Planned Parenthood.

Pro-life and family groups are celebrating the move. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins commented, "We applaud Susan G. Komen for the Cure for putting women's health first rather than fund the nation's largest abortion provider. For too long many people of good will gave money to this foundation to help stop the scourge of breast cancer, not realizing that their money was going to help subsidize the nation's largest abortion provider.

"Susan G. Komen's decision to stop funding the abortion industry is good news for women seeking help dealing with breast cancer. This is also good news for the lives of many unborn babies." more >>