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: U.S. Expands Ban on Foreign Aid to Overseas Abortion Providers

What just happened?

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the Trump administration is strengthening the “Mexico City policy,” which prohibits U.S. foreign aid to groups that provide or promote abortion overseas, and will be strictly enforcing another statute aimed at preventing abortions abroad.

The policy is being modified so that the U.S. will no longer financially support groups around the world that help other organizations that support or promote abortion.

“We will refuse to provide assistance to foreign NGOs that give financial support to other foreign groups in the global abortion industry,” Pompeo told reporters at the State Department. “We will enforce a strict prohibition on backdoor funding schemes and end runs around our policy. American taxpayer dollars will not be used to underwrite abortions.”

Pompeo added that the "vast majority" of groups that partner with the U.S. have agreed to comply with the policy so far, and cast the latest decision as being rooted in compassion. "We're talking about human lives," he said.

What does the Bible say about abortion? Dan Darling answers that question this week in a new piece at Lifeway Voices. Check it out here.
If you'll be at the TGC National Conference next week in Indianapolis, make sure to attend this important panel conversation featuring Russell Moore, Dan Darling, Trillia Newbell, and others.
The ERLC is partnering with our friends at Prison Fellowship to spread the word about #SecondChanceMonth, a nationwide effort to unlock brighter futures for people with a criminal record. Learn how you can become a Second Chance Month partner here.

What You Need to Know

In an age of social media and virtual mobs, how can parents help their kids wisely navigate controversial issues and avoid making mistakes that can cost them later in life? Josh Wester tackles that topic here.

The best thing that Christian parents can do to protect their kids from the online mob isn’t necessarily to cut out social media. Instead, it is to make a commitment to be present in their lives. This means being committed to shaping their character and faithful to train them in the way they should go.

Since February, more than 250 Christians have been murdered in Nigeria by either militant Fulani herdsmen or the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram. Casey B. Hough writes an important reminder on "The continuing persecution of Nigerian Christians."

As our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ face persecution, Christians must remember that though we are separated by thousands of miles, we are still all members of the Body of Christ. Nigerian Christians confess the same Lord, faith, and baptism. When one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we should take notice and intercede on their behalf before God.

Anxiety is one of the most common - and most misunderstood - mental health struggles we face in modern society. Garrick D. Connor shares his own struggles with anxiety and shares some helpful thoughts on how Christians should approach this issue.

If you or someone you love struggles with chronic anxiety, you can be assured that it is a real issue—and something that can’t be cured by having more faith or praying more prayers. However, you can help an anxious person just by noticing, caring, and being available to help bear their burdens.

News From Capitol Hill

Born Alive in the U.S. House of Representatives

This week, the House Minority Whip, Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) announced that on April 2nd, they will file a discharge petition. Upon receiving 218 signatures, the petition would force the U.S. House of Representatives to have a floor vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
Americans deserve to know where their elected officials stand on the issue of infanticide, and the House of Representatives should vote on this important and life saving bill.
What Is a Discharge Petition?

A discharge petition is a tool the minority party has to force a floor vote on a particular piece of legislation. Because the Speaker of the House controls what pieces of legislation receive a floor vote, a decent amount of minority bills never receive floor votes. If a discharge petition reaches 218 signatures, the House will be required to vote on it.

Once the discharge petition is filed, members can go to the floor to sign the petition, and signal their support for the Born Alive bill. Citizens can call and ask their Representatives to sign the discharge petition on the Born-Alive bill. Or, if their Representative has spoken out publicly in support of the bill, they can thank them. Each day that Congress is in session, a representative has gone to the floor and given a speech on the importance of Born-Alive, and why the House should vote. Click here to see those speeches.
What is the Born-Alive Bill?

Current federal law doesn’t protect a baby who survives an abortion. The bill would amend the federal criminal code to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to:

1. Exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and

2. Ensure that such a child is immediately admitted to a hospital.

The ERLC will continue its work to ensure legal protection for innocent lives as well as win hearts and minds to caring for the vulnerable. Read more on this issue from our Policy Staff.

Featured Podcasts

This week on Better Together on the ERLC podcast, author Courtney Reissig joins Trillia Newbell to discuss training women in the local church. Check out their conversation here.

Has there ever been a season in life where you just wanted to give up? Kyle Idleman joins Dan Darling on The Way Home podcast to talk about not giving up and the importance of encouraging one another. Listen here.

From The Public Square

Utah bans abortions after 18 weeks, teeing up legal showdown
Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a law banning most abortions after 18 weeks of gestation, teeing up a legal showdown.

Making Family Formation More Affordable: An Interview with U.S. Senator Mike Lee
W. Bradford Wilcox, Institute for Family Studies

“Not only is it important for Americans to able to afford to start and expand families but having the time to nurture new life is likely to produce healthier children down the road.”

Assisted-Suicide Advocates Oppose Real Protections
Wesley J. Smith, National Review

Assisted-suicide advocates sell their hemlock by promising “strict guidelines” to protect against abuse.

These New Laws Will Strengthen US Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
Olivia Enos, Michelle Kim, Yeondoo Kim, and Emma Childs , The Daily Signal