The Associated Press (“AP News”) is reporting that Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christian Jenkins could rule as early as tomorrow (5/20/2024) regarding the constitutionality of Ohio’s 2019 ‘fetal heartbeat law’ banning most abortions once cardiac activity can be detected. The forthcoming ruling will be made in light of a conflicting 2023 voter-approved amendment known as “Issue 1,” which gave every person in Ohio “the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions.”
Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost acknowledges that the 2023 amendment renders the 2019 ‘fetal heartbeat law’ unconstitutional, but has sought to maintain other elements of the 2019 law, including certain notification and reporting provisions.
Beyond this case before Judge Jenkins, there are several pending court cases regarding abortion restrictions in Ohio, including a ban on the use of telehealth for medication abortions, a requirement that fetal remains from surgical abortions be cremated or buried, a 24-hour waiting period requirement, and a mandate that abortion clinics maintain emergency transfer agreements with local hospitals.
The AP News article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, Ohio has been a leader in establishing prohibitions on the elective killing of unborn babies through abortive practices; however, as seems to be the case in most divisive matters, the courts are being used to chip away at the approved abortion restrictions or bans.
The argument that abortion is health care and reproductive medicine is false on its face, as the undisputed goal of every abortion is not to heal or to protect, but to kill the unborn child. The argument that killing one’s own unborn baby is a “human right” – as many persons have argued – is ridiculous on its face (see Exodus 20:13). The bible, including the Ten Commandments, makes it clear that life is precious to God, who knew every person before they were ever formed in their mothers’ wombs (see Psalm 139:13-16).
Simply put, one does not show compassion for others by agreeing to murder.
As followers of Christ, let’s pray that the courts would not intervene any further into Ohio’s (and other states’) laws restricting or banning abortions. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit touches the hearts of those predisposed to support abortion, opening their eyes and ears to be sensitive to what is actually being done to the unborn children. Let’s also pray that mothers (and yes, fathers too) would be moved to make all necessary arrangements for an unborn child for which they aren’t prepared to raise – as so many persons still desire children to adopt.
God does not make mistakes! It is the evil one (see John 10:10) who does not want options other than abortion to be discussed and shared with women in need of true compassion and assistance with a pregnancy. Bearing children is a gift from the Lord (see Psalm 127:3).
Here are the above-referenced scriptures:
Exodus 20:13 (Amplified Bible)
“You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).”
Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT)
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank [Y]ou for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in [Y]our book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
John 10:10 (NKJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Psalm 127:3 (NKJV)
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, [t]he fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!