Florida’s new abortion law violates religious freedom, a synagogue’s lawsuit says

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new Florida legislation prohibiting abortion following 15 months with some exceptions violates spiritual liberty legal rights of Jews in addition to the point out constitution’s privacy protections, a synagogue claims in a lawsuit.&#13

The lawsuit submitted by the Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor of Boynton Beach front contends the law that normally takes outcome July 1 violates Jewish teachings, which condition abortion “is demanded if necessary to shield the wellbeing, mental or bodily nicely-currently being of the lady” and for other reasons.&#13

“As this kind of, the act prohibits Jewish ladies from training their religion absolutely free of govt intrusion and this violates their privacy legal rights and religious independence,” states the lawsuit, submitted Friday in Leon County Circuit Court docket.&#13

The lawsuit adds that folks who “do not share the religious views reflected in the act will go through” and that it “threatens the Jewish people today by imposing the laws of other religions upon Jews.”&#13

Planned Parenthood has also submitted a challenge to the legislation

The lawsuit is the second obstacle to the 15-week abortion ban enacted previously this calendar year by the Legislature and signed into law by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health and fitness vendors also sued before this thirty day period to block the legislation from using impact.&#13

In a previous assertion, DeSantis’ place of work stated it “is self-confident that this law will ultimately endure all lawful worries.”&#13

The two lawsuits are likely to be consolidated into a one case. A listening to on a proposed injunction to block the Florida abortion legislation is very likely in the following two months.&#13

The regulation mirrors a very similar measure handed in Mississippi that is now right before the U.S. Supreme Court, which could use it to overturn the Roe v. Wade abortion choice based on a leaked draft belief. A remaining ruling on Roe is anticipated by the close of June.&#13

Rabbi warns of eroding the separation among faith and federal government

In Florida, Rabbi Barry Silver of Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor — the identify suggests “Generation to Generation”— said it procedures “cosmic Judaism,” which he defines on the synagogue’s web page as “the Judaism of tomorrow currently” that respects science, custom and spirituality.&#13

Silver is an legal professional, social activist and former Democratic point out legislator who variations himself as a “Rabbi-rouser” on his personal internet site. In an job interview Tuesday, Silver claimed when separation of faith and govt crumbles, spiritual minorities this kind of as Jews often experience.&#13

“Each and every time that wall commences to crack, undesirable factors start off to happen,” he said, noting that DeSantis signed the legislation at an evangelical Christian church.&#13

The new Florida abortion law, contains exceptions if the abortion is vital to preserve a mother’s lifestyle, avert major personal injury or if the fetus has a deadly abnormality. It does not enable for exemptions in scenarios exactly where pregnancies ended up brought about by rape, incest or human trafficking.&#13

Under current regulation, Florida makes it possible for abortions up to 24 months.&#13

No religion is monolithic on the abortion challenge. Yet numerous followers of faiths that do not prohibit abortion are aghast that a check out held by a minority of People could supersede their personal legal rights and religious beliefs this kind of as the place of Judaism as outlined in the lawsuit.&#13

“This ruling would be outlawing abortion in conditions when our faith would permit us,” claimed Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, scholar in home at the National Council of Jewish Ladies, “and it is basing its ideas of when lifetime commences on another person else’s philosophy or theology.” &#13

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