An Important Case Before the Supreme Court and Putin Wins Again

For the past few months I have been following a case that originated in California and yesterday found its way before the United States Supreme Court.  The case is known as NIFLA v Becerra.  NIFLA  stands for the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates - a prolife organization.  Xavier Becerra is the current California attorney-general who is defending the California bill that is being questioned.


Let me give a little background.  In 2015, the California legislature passed a bill known as "The Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency Act" which came to be known as the FACT Act.  The reason for the law was that, it was believed, women who faced an unplanned pregnancy were not being given adequate information regarding the availability of no and low cost medical services, including abortion, which were available through the State of California.  The FACT Act required that all crisis pregnancy centers post information regarding these services which the Sate of California provides and that such information be included in any advertisements for such facilities. 


In other words, if I am operating a nonprofit, prolife crisis pregnancy center, the law now requires that I post on my office walls and also place within my ads that abortions can be obtained through the State of California.  So, a woman who comes to my office seeking help must also be told, either verbally or through the postings, that abortion is an inexpensive option because the State will pay for it. 


Several nonprofit centers decided that such a law was an infringement upon their rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  They had the right to not share with their clients that abortion was an option because they had taken the position that abortion was wrong.  In 2016 the NIFLA sued the State of California on behalf of nonprofit crisis pregnancy centers claiming "that the law unfairly targets crisis pregnancy centers because it does not apply to clinics that perform abortions, and because it forces crisis centers to provide information they do not endorse" (www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/nifla-v-becerra-supreme-court-takes-both-abortion-first-amendment-ncna858056).


Yesterday the Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides  and will make a ruling sometime in June.  Each side had 25 minutes to present its case.  The heart of the argument made by NIFLA is that the government should not force individuals, or in this case a crisis pregnancy center, to promote a message that contradicts their sincerely held beliefs.


What I find very interesting is that the California law does not require that state-operated abortion clinics post information within their offices nor to have it published on their advertisements telling women that there is another option beside abortion.  No, this law seems to have had only one focus - upon those nonprofit crisis pregnancy centers, most of whom have some type of religious, prolife foundation.  This is just another attempt by "big government" to curtail the freedoms and rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution. 


I am grateful for the NIFLA and its willingness to take on this case.  And I am grateful that the United States Supreme Court decided to add this case to its spring docket of cases.  Now we just need to pray that, as they deliberate a decision, that they will be focused upon what is truly best for that mom and her unborn baby.  I will keep watch and will let you know when the Supreme Court has reached its decision. 


Meanwhile, President Putin has won another election in Russia.  Of course there was little opposition - the recent assassination and attempted assassination of dissident Russians living in England testify to what potentially can happen when a person falls out of favor with Putin.  Will Putin continue to bully his way with those Eastern European countries?  Probably.  Will Put continue to bully his way with the United States?  Probably.  But the Bible reminds us that as we near the end of the age, Russia will become stronger and will gather a coalition together to destroy Israel.  Will Putin be the leader of this Ezekiel-described coalition?  I can't speak with authority that he will, but I can state that the leader described in Ezekiel 38 will be someone with the nature of a Putin.  Wow1  Are these exciting times in which we live!  I am grateful that my hope is placed on the solid Rock Jesus Christ.