Plaintiffs representing Christian, Jewish and Muslim faithful are suing the state of Indiana, claiming its new ban on abortions violates its right to practice their religions that was ensconced in the US and Indiana constitutions, as well as a 2015 law signed by then-Governor Mike Pence that guaranteed “religious freedom,” the Associated Press reports.
The law, which is currently blocked in a separate lawsuit, basically blocks abortion in all circumstances after ten weeks gestation, including after rape or incest. There is an exception to protect the physical health of the mother.
Christian, Jewish and Muslim individuals, as well as the group Hoosier Jews for Choice, filed the lawsuit. The group notes that Jewish teachings state that the fetus isn’t considered a living person until it is born. The Jewish faith also puts primacy on the physical and mental health of the mother. The briefs also include theological teachings from Islamic, Episcopal, Unitarian Universalist and pagan faiths.
The filing also cites a 2015 law signed by Pence that was designed to ensure Christian parents could pull their kids from classes they did not feel was religiously appropriate and to allow self-proclaimed “Christians” to discriminate against people on religious groups. The law states that the state cannot pass any law that would cause substantial burden to someone trying to practice their religion.