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The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.

Explainer: How legal issues make it to the Supreme Court

Last week Alabama passed the most restrictive abortion law in the nation. The state government approved the law even though it conflicts with current federal law on abortion. For many lawmakers, that was the point. As Alabama state Rep. Terri Collins (R) said, “This bill is about challenging Roe v. Wade and protecting the lives of the unborn because an unborn baby is a person who deserves love and protection.”

But many legal experts on both sides are mixed about whether it will ever be considered by the Supreme Court. Many pro-life legal experts think the Supreme Court is likely to simply ignore the challenge to the legitimacy of Roe. “I think it extremely unlikely the court will ever take a direct attack on the Roe case,” said James Bopp, the general council for National Right to Life. “The court just doesn’t operate that way.”

Clarke D. Forsythe, senior counsel at Americans United for Life, makes a similar claim. “Some sponsors of these bills may be motivated by the belief that they present an ‘ideal test case’ for the Supreme Court,” says Forsythe. “Others think that an abortion prohibition will ‘force’ the Court to readdress Roe v. Wade.”

This Week at the ERLC

Students and pastors from across the country came to Nashville this week for ERLC Academy, which included teaching from Russell Moore about Christian Ethics and how to think as a Christian about important issues.

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik has an article in USA Today about the Alabama abortion ban and being pro-life.

What You Need to Know

Facial recognition technology is already being employed throughout the world—for good and for bad. Jason Thacker helps us think through concerns about this type of technology. Read his insights here.

Facial recognition can be a bit overwhelming for those without a deep understanding of how it works and the issues at stake. But engaging these matters doesn’t require a government position or even advanced degrees in computer science or surveillance. As we enter these discussions, we must not lose sight of the fact that this technology is here to stay, and no type of ban will stop the development and use of these tools. We must decide as a society what value we place on feeling secure while maintain privacy. We must decide how to use these technologies with wisdom and care, rather than punting the issue down the road for future generations.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and it highlights an area where our churches need to grow. Stephen Grcevich points out that our churches should be “mental health-informed.” Read his article, listing five characteristics of this type of church, here.

Finding a church well-equipped to minister with someone with mental health concerns is challenging. The need for mental health-informed churches is critical, especially if we are to minister effectively with individuals hurt by past experiences. A Baylor University study noted that 3 of 10 attendees who approached their church for help related to a mental health condition for themselves or a family member reported negative interactions counterproductive to treatment. For one in eight who approached their church for help, the experience was so distressing that it resulted in them leaving the church for good. This isn’t how it should be.

How do people in our SBC churches think about abuse? Is it taken seriously? LifeWay set out to answer questions like these, and Phillip Bethancourt writes about the results. Read his article here.

LifeWay Research recently released the results of a national survey of Protestant churchgoers including Southern Baptist churchgoers on their perception of sexual misconduct. The survey asked a variety of questions to gauge what sort of experience those who attend Protestant churches have had with sexual abuse, harassment, safety, and accountability within their local churches. The results were sometimes surprising but nonetheless sobering and occasionally alarming.

News From Capitol Hill

“I’m thankful to HHS for restoring common sense and a natural reading of the English language to this regulation. The previous Administration’s rule here was beyond troubling. The previous rule lorded over consciences irresponsibly with a regulatory fiat disconnected from the legislation approved by the people’s elected lawmakers. Moreover, health care should be protecting and honoring human life, including that of unborn children, not endangering it. We should also respect the consciences of nurses and physicians not to be forced to participate in taking innocent human life. I’m glad to see this change."

Featured Podcasts

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, and the child welfare system is overwhelmed, especially in the middle of the opioid crisis. Yet many faith-based foster care and adoption providers find themselves defending their very right to exist up against legislation like the Equality Act. Jeff Pickering and Chelsea Patterson Sobolik welcome their coalition partner Hillary Byrnes, a religious liberty advocate from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to discuss the future of faith-based child welfare on the Capitol Conversations podcast.

Better Together, a series of the ERLC Podcast, captures our desire to partner together as men and women in the church and beyond to advance the kingdom with mutual support and care. Trillia Newbell hosts Kathy Litton. Litton is the director of Planter Spouse Development at the North American Mission Board. Listen in as we discuss women in ministry and leadership.

From The Public Square

The Equality Act Will Harm Religious Freedom
Thomas F. Farr, RealClearReligion

Supporters of the Equality Act claim it will increase equality in America, but it will actually harm one of the most fundamental rights we all share as Americans – religious freedom. It purports to ban discrimination, but it actually bans disagreement.

More on the ‘Abortion Cuts Crime’ Debate
Michael J. New, National Review

While the study itself has received a great deal of media coverage, most outlets have given subsequent critiques of the study considerably less attention.

Texas Lawmakers Pass ‘Save Chick-Fil-A’ Bill
The Daily Signal

The “Save Chick-fil-A” bill, which Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign, does not allow the government to take “any adverse action” against any contractor, individual, or business because of their religious beliefs.

Court Rules Against Gang Members-Turned-Evangelists
Morgan Lee, Christianity Today

Ex-members say they’re uniquely equipped to reach gangs. Former Latin Kings continue to fight Illinois restrictions they believe hamper their right to share the gospel.