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INDIANAPOLIS – Last week, a class action lawsuit was filed against the members of the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana and the prosecutors of the counties of Marion, Monroe, St. Joseph, and Tippecanoe by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana (ACLU) that challenges Senate Enrolled Act 1 (S.E.A. 1) which bans almost all abortions and is set to take effect this week on September 15.
The class action lawsuit cites S.E.A. 1 as violating Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and was brought on behalf of Hoosier Jews for Choice and five unnamed women, one of whom identifies as Pagan, in the court filing.
In the court filing, the ACLU of Indiana outlines how S.E.A. 1 violates many religious beliefs since the law defines life as beginning at conception.
Although some religions, and adherents of those religions, believe that human life
begins at conception (however defined), this is not a theological opinion shared by all
religions or all religious persons.
The variety of faiths represented in the lawsuit includes Judaism, Islam, and Paganism. The complaint clearly outlines how S.E.A. 1 is in direct conflict with Jewish law.
For example, under Jewish law, a fetus attains the status of a living person only at
birth. Rabbinic sources note that prior to the 40th day of gestation, the embryo is
considered to be “mere water.” Thereafter, the embryo or fetus is considered a physical
part of the woman’s body, not having a life of its own or independent rights.Jewish law recognizes that abortions may occur, and should occur as a religious
matter, under circumstances not allowed by S.E.A. 1 or existing Indiana law. An abortion
should be allowed if necessary to prevent the mother’s mental anguish that could arise
from severe physical or mental health issues, even if there is not a physical health risk
that is likely to cause substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily
function.Jewish law stresses the necessity of protecting the life and physical and mental
health of the mother prior to birth as the fetus is not yet deemed to be a person. As noted
by the 19th century Orthodox Rabbi, Moshe of Pressburg, “[N]o woman is required to
build the world by destroying herself.”Any restrictions imposed on a Jewish woman who believes in and follows Jewish
law that demands that a fetus not be protected at the expense of serious consequences
to the woman’s physical or mental health violates and substantially burdens the
woman’s sincere religious beliefs and religious exercise.
And in conflict with Islamic law:
Islam does not believe that the fetus is ensouled at the moment of conception and
some Muslim scholars take the position that the fetus does not possess a soul until 120
days after conception. This is based on a tradition in which the Prophet (SAW) mentions
that an angel breathes the soul into the fetus by 120 days.Muslim scholars therefore indicate that within 40 days of conception it is proper
and appropriate to seek an abortion for any reason, including reasons not authorized by
S.E.A. 1, and under certain circumstances, the woman should seek an abortion.Once the fetus reaches 40 days after conception, conservative Muslim scholars
believe that an abortion can still be obtained if there is a pressing need that justifies it in
the eyes of Islamic law. This pressing need includes the physical or mental health of the
mother and therefore would allow or direct abortions, even in situations prohibited by
S.E.A. 1.Thus, in a number of Muslim-majority nations, such as Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar,
Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, abortion may occur in cases of a risk to a
woman’s mental or physical health. They may also occur in those countries in cases of
fetal impairment.S.E.A. 1 will deny Muslim women the ability to obtain abortions when they are
authorized or directed to do so by Islamic law. This will impose a substantial burden on
their sincere religious beliefs and the exercise of their religion.
The complaint continues by outlining other faiths and belief systems, like Unitarian Universalists, Episcopalians, and specifically names Paganism:
Unitarian Universalists have long supported reproductive justice.
A core belief of Unitarian Universalists is that every human being has inherent
worth and dignity. This is an endowed right given to us by the Creator.Unitarian Universalists believe that a person who is pregnant should be entitled
to obtain an abortion and if the person is blocked by the law or outside authorities, their
endowed rights are impinged upon.Being denied the ability to obtain an abortion when a Unitarian Universalist
believes an abortion is necessary breaks the covenant Unitarian Universalists have to
honor their own inherent worth and dignity and will impose a substantial burden on the
sincere religious beliefs and exercise of a Unitarian Universalist.The Episcopal Church holds that equitable access to women’s health care, which
includes reproductive health care, is an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her
dignity and worth as a human being,Therefore, an Episcopal cleric may counsel a woman seeking an abortion where to
continue the pregnancy would cause serious mental health or physical problems, even
if the health problem would not involve a serious risk of substantial and irreversible
physical impairment of a major bodily function, that it is morally and religiously
permissible for the individual to obtain the abortion, as her life and wellbeing are of
primary importance at that point.Therefore the Episcopal Church affirms that abortions may occur under situations
not allowable by S.B. 1 or by other Indiana laws.Paganism is an umbrella term that comprises many spiritual belief systems that
are polytheistic in nature.These spiritual belief systems play similar roles in the lives of Pagans as do
monotheistic religions for believers in those religious traditions.Most Pagans recognize that there are Gods and Goddesses and stress the feminine
face of divinity. Creation and life-giving are seen as feminine acts.Because of this, Pagans emphasize the importance of women being free and
autonomous as representations of the Goddess, in her many forms.Most Pagans therefore demand, as part of their religious and spiritual tradition,
that women have full bodily autonomy, free from interference from others.Therefore, as a matter of religious and spiritual belief, many Pagans believe that
in recognition of a woman’s autonomy demanded by their sincere beliefs, women must
be allowed to obtain abortions.Denying a practicing Pagan the ability to obtain an abortion will impose a
substantial burden on her sincere religious beliefs.
This is the second lawsuit to be filed by the ACLU in Indiana challenging the law. The first was filed on August 31 with the plaintiffs listed as Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, Inc.; Whole Woman’s Health Alliance; Women’s Med Group Professional Corporation; All-Options, Inc.; and Dr. Amy Caldwell.
The August 31 lawsuit seeks relief for medical practitioners, their staff, and patients from the restrictive guidelines of the new law which would close virtually all clinics that perform abortions and require any abortions to be done in a hospital setting. The new law also would enact felony charges for practitioners found to be in violation of the law which contains conflicting articles as to exactly when performing an abortion would be considered outside of the legal limits.
The complaint cites the violations of the new law with the Indiana Constitution Article 1, section 1, Right to Privacy; The Equal Privileges and Immunities Clause of Article 1, section 23; and Article 1, Section 12 for the law’s vagueness and seemingly unclear legal application.
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Upcoming Pagan Pride Day Events:
Pagan Pride All Day Celebration sponsored by Abelina’s Grove will take place on Saturday, September 17, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm in Easterlin Park located at 1000 NW 38th Street in Oakland Park, Florida. Featured presenters include Opal Luna (Knot Magick), Birch Von Baum (Eco-feminism and Masculinity); and Karl the Drum Guy (Magickal Brewing). Due to the event taking place in a county park, there is $1.50 entry fee, and alcohol and drugs of any type are prohibited. The event will also have a cauldron in place to accept love donations.
Announcements:
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- Circle Sanctuary will celebrate the Fall Equinox and the arrival of Autumn on Saturday, September 24 at their “Welcome Fall Festival” at their Nature Preserve near Barneveld, Wisconsin. Events begin at 9:30 am and run until 5:00 pm (CDT). The event includes workshops, nature walks, and rituals. The theme for this year is “Gratitude: Reaping Your Inner Harvest.” Pre-registration for the event is required. More detailed information, registration links, and the cost of the event can be found on Circle Sanctuary’s website.
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- Nominations for the 2022 Witchies Awards opened this month. You can nominate your favorite author, blog, magazine, podcast, music, and more. Publication dates for nominations must fall between August 22, 2021, and August 21, 2022, in order to be considered and valid. Devin Hunter, Laura Tempest Zakroff, Storm Faerywolf, and Mat Auryn are all exempt from being nominated since they are involved in award organization and process. Nominations are open through September 30. Voting in all categories begins on October 3, and winners will be announced live on November 5 at The Witchies hosted by the Official Witches’ Sabbat and presented by ModernWitch.com.
Kazimierz Mazur – September 6, 2022
- Kazimierz Mazur is reported to have died on September 6 and had begun his journey to Nawia and Wyraj (the lands of the afterlife). He was the co-founder of the Native Polish Church and a long-term member of the Native Polish Church council.
Kazimierz Mazur (1948–2022) via Rodzimy Kościół Polski [CC BY-SA 3.0]
- Mazur was a spiritual leader in native Slavic faith circles and he was also known to the wider public as an actor on big and small screens. Along with Lech Emfazy Stefański, he led the effort for the official registration of Rodzimy Kościół Polski (Native Polish Church) in 1995, which was the first, post-war native-religious organization to be registered in Poland.
- Mazur actively worked towards the purchase of lands designated for religious purposes in Mrozy and in Barchów. Mazur’s efforts resulted in native faith believers in Poland now having a place of their own to worship on their own land. He also left guidelines for the construction of a future temple.
- In his last years, Mazur taught future candidates of Akademia Żerców and shared his knowledge with his potential future successors. He also took part in the writing of the native faith liturgy and program that was showcased in the renewed publication of Native Polish Church: Status – History – Program Aims – Cult – Ethics.is also remembered as a husband, father, and grandfather by his family.
- His funeral ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at 15:00 local time in Wołomin, Poland. As is noted in the announcement:
- Praise and glory to his memory! Let his accomplishments and doings secure him in eternal fame!
What is remembered, lives!
In other news:
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- 16 artifacts that had been stolen and smuggled into the U.S. were recovered by law enforcement and will be returned to their country of origin, Egypt. The artifacts are part of a major international case that involved the trafficking of Egyptian antiquities. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office seized six artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City as part of an investigation focused on the smuggling of Egyptian antiquities to the United States and France. In May, Jean-Luc Martinez, the former president of the Louvre museum, was charged with complicity in fraud and was connected to five of the items in the possession of The Met. Among the items recovered: part of a painted coffin depicting the facial feature of a woman; limestone relief engraved with hieroglyphic text and an offering scene; five linen Fragments of a wall dating to between 250 and 450 BCE; a bronze statue of Kemes, a famed musician; and a portrait depicting a Roman-era woman in Fayoum. An additional nine other artifacts which included a Ptolemaic-era coin and other items from ancient Egyptian were seized from an American businessman’s possession by authorities. The items are scheduled to be returned via the Egyptian Consulate in New York City.
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- Heavy rains have damaged the UNESCO World Heritage site in the southeastern Sindh province of Pakistan. The 4,500-year-old archaeological site of Mohenjo Daro saw most of its protective mud slurry or coating washed away by the heavy rains. The mud slurry had been applied to protect the original structure from exposure to the elements and any further degradation. So while the structure of one of the best and most well-preserved urban settlements in the world is essentially unharmed and has seen no flooding, if conservation and restoration work does not begin soon to replace the protective mud, the site could become compromised. However, over the past month, over 1,300 people in Pakistan have lost their lives to the tremendous flooding brought by what has been described as “monster monsoons” causing millions of people to be displaced and forced from their homes. Much of the land flooded is agricultural and there is a concern there will be widespread food shortages as a result.
Earlier this year, four tigers abandoned by a circus were rescued from a train car enclosure in San Luis, Argentina where they had lived for the past 15 years. Four Paws International, a non-profit animal welfare organization, coordinated the transport of the tigers to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.
The four tigers, named, Messi, Sandro, Mafalda, and Gustavo, had never been outside of the train car and were uncertain of the strange new environment they found themselves in after over 30 hours of transport in crates from Argentina.
Since their arrival at LIONSROCK, the big cats have adjusted well to their new home. Mafalda, the only female tiger was spayed once the staff felt she had settled in and felt comfortable in her new surroundings. The oldest male tiger, Sandro, estimated to be roughly 18 years old, had some health issues in addition to impaired eyesight and was scheduled to be moved to a special enclosure to better accommodate his health needs.
LIONSROCK is home to over 100 big cats that have been rescued from countries around the world. The sanctuary provides an animal-appropriate environment for each of the big cats they provide safe space for.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Cat’s Eye Tarot, by Debra M. Givin, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.Card: Major arcana (XVII), The Star
This week holds the potential for renewal, inspiration, and wishes coming true. Optimism and believing positive outcomes are possible are likely to set the tone.
Conversely, be mindful of what is desired or wished for, as a fixation on negative aspects possesses the probability of contributing to their creation.
Decks generously provided by Asheville Pagan Supply.
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