In an attempt to overturn extreme abortion restrictions in Missouri, 13 clergy members have filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the laws impose one religious interpretation upon everyone else, violating their rights and the Constitution. The clergy members represent faith traditions that say abortion is permissible or required in certain situations.

The 83-page lawsuit goes after a 2019 “trigger” law that said if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, abortions would only be permitted in medical emergencies (which do not include rape or incest) and that anyone who performs or induces an abortion risks between 5-15 years behind bars.

Maybe the most damning thing in the lawsuit is the collection of statements from Republican lawmakers who cited their religious faith as justification for their support of the bill, suggesting that the legislation wasn’t motivated by any kind of secular intent. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of those plaintiffs along with the National Women’s Law Center and the law firm Arnold & Porter, explained:

Lawmakers openly and repeatedly emphasized they were writing their religious beliefs into the abortion bans, even declaring in the bill itself that “Almighty God is the author of life” – a phrase that an opposing lawmaker noted was “in violation of the separation of church and state.” Legislators said they passed the ban because:

    “to me God doesn’t give us a choice in this area. He is the Creator of life.”

    “being from the Biblical side of it, I’ve always believed that life does occur at the point of conception.”

    “Life begins at conception. Psalms 119 says …”

    “as a Catholic I do believe life begins at conception. That is built into our legislative findings currently in law…”

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