Abortion & The Failed Separation of Church and State -

The reproductive right of abortion has become a debate and topic for many people. The medical procedure to terminate a pregnancy is controlled by the government and its regulation of reproductive rights. Within American society, there is a notion called the separation between the church and state. The idea is rooted in the principle that religious organizations and governments should function independently of one another. However, in our current society, religious beliefs strongly influence legal and social attitudes towards abortion, making it more difficult for individuals to obtain and access healthcare treatments related to reproduction. Since the separation is not well-maintained, religious values and doctrines influence legislation and policies related to reproductive access and, to an even greater extent, abortion.

For moral or theological reasons, some religious groups may be against abortion; these ideologies tend to result in restrictive laws and barriers to access. In these situations, those seeking abortion services could encounter stigma, limited healthcare options, and face legal obstacles. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This case ruled that under the U.S. Constitution, abortion and the decision to continue or end a pregnancy belongs to the individual, considering it a fundamental right. However, in 2022, on a 6-3 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Roe v. Wade was overturned, giving state governments the right to determine whether or not people had the legal ability to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. After Dobbs v. Jackson, many states banned abortion, making it illegal due to conservative and religious beliefs. Kay Ivey, the governor of Alabama, stated, “ This legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God”(Laser, 2019). The governor represents the state; in her expression, it is evident how the lines of church and state have blurred. She suggests that the law is not just a legal enactment but also a symbolic statement reflecting the values of religion. There exists a notable impediment to women seeking access to abortion services in certain states because of religion. Consequently, this restriction curtails women’s ability to autonomously make decisions about their bodies.

The evident breakdown of the separation between church and state, particularly concerning the impact on abortion, is widespread. Notably, in 2022, a case known as Reverend v. Missouri, a group of 14 clergy asserted that the Missouri state abortion ban violated the principle of the separation between the church and state. The opening statement adds to the deeply rooted issue of limiting the control women have over their own bodies. Furthermore, within the same case, it was also notably mentioned how Legislators openly invoked their religious beliefs and attacked abortion after signing on to House bill No. 126: “They openly invoked their personal religious beliefs as the reason for the law, enacting in the statute the religious views that “Almighty God is the author of life” and that “the life of an individual human being begins at conception …”(Blackmon v. Missouri 2023) The use of language goes beyond personal belief and translates religious principles into the legislation and the policy that limits the access and right to abortion in the state.

In conclusion, an enduring tenet of American culture, the separation of church and state, seems to be in trouble, particularly when it comes to reproductive rights. The blurred lines between religious values and legislative decisions are evident in cases like Reverned v. Missouri. The influenced legislation and policies limit the right to access safe and legal abortion while reducing the right of women to make decisions over their own reproductive autonomy.

References