Explainer: What’s going on in Iran, Ethiopia, and China?

Over ​​the past few weeks there have been a number of international incidents that are worthy of our attention and prayer. Here are three you should know about from Iran, Ethiopia, and China.

How is your church responding to a post-Roe world?

The Dobbs decision marks a true turning point in the pro-life movement — a moment that Christians, pro-life advocates and many others have worked toward tirelessly for 50 years. As we respond to the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week in Washington, DC, we are shifting our focus to the upcoming November midterm elections. In just over two weeks, voters across the U.S. will head to the polls to vote on key issues surrounding life and religious liberty.

Voters in several states, including California, Vermont, and Michigan, will vote on constitutional amendments that will establish a constitutional right to abortion. Additionally, voters in Nevada will decide on adding the Equal Rights Amendment, which includes prohibition of discrimination on the basis of “gender identity” to the state constitution, posing a number of challenges to religious liberty. The ERLC is strongly opposed to all of these initiatives.

Voters in Montana and Kentucky, however, have the opportunity to support pro-life and religious liberty measures on the ballot. Montana is attempting to increase criminal charges on medical providers who fail to provide medical assistance to children born alive, regardless if from an attempted abortion. Kentucky voters are voting to ensure the state constitution does not “protect a right to abortion, or require the funding of abortion." In Arkansas, voters have the opportunity to add the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to their state constitution, strengthening religious liberty protections for people of faith in Arkansas. The ERLC is strongly supportive of these measures.

Featured Podcasts

Last week on the ERLC Podcast, Brent and Lindsay discussed the 60 Minutes segment with SBC President Bart Barber, what a jury ordered Alex Jones to pay the families of Sandy Hook victims, and the ERLC’s comments about the new Veterans Affairs abortion rule. They also talk about resources for pastors that enable them to respond bibically and wisely to gender and sexuality issues.

From The Public Square

Anti-abortion groups: It’s time for Republicans to stop avoiding the issue
Politico

In the final weeks of the campaign, groups that oppose abortion rights are urging Republican candidates to go on offense.

Indiana Supreme Court allows abortions to continue pending January hearing
Associated Press

The court denied a request to allow the law to take effect pending a court ruling. The law took effect on Sept. 15 but was paused when a lower court judge issued a preliminary injunction.

66 clinics across 15 states have stopped offering abortions post-Roe
Politico

As of Wednesday, abortions are almost entirely unavailable in 14 states and significantly limited in a 15th, according to a new report from the Guttmacher Institute.

Landmark trial begins over Arkansas' ban on trans youth care
Associated Press

The nation's first trial over a state's ban on gender-confirming care for children begins in Arkansas this week, the latest fight over restrictions on transgender youth championed by Republican leaders and widely condemned by medical experts.

What You Need to Read

Jason Thacker with Why do Christians address sexuality and gender issues all the time?

Given the widespread cultural fixation on sexuality and gender, it is no surprise that the church would focus on these crucial aspects of both personal and social ethics. But we must not believe that the Christian sexual ethic is simply a response to cultural movements. Instead, as humans, it is rooted in the very nature given to us by God.

Trey Meek with 5 ways to share resurrection facts in a skeptical age

Ultimately, Christians believe that Jesus lives because the Holy Spirit has borne witness in and regenerated our hearts. Still, in evangelism, Christians should gladly offer historical evidences for the faith. To do so is to follow the apostolic example—especially that of Paul. Furthermore, a historical emphasis upon Jesus’ death and resurrection highlights the uniqueness of the gospel.

Alex Ward with What our faith says about caring for immigrants and refugees

Every single day, by God’s miraculous rescue, people land on our shores hoping to build a life and a new family. The church in the West has a choice to embrace these brothers and sisters as our own, to ignore them, or worse. The theme of the table and family are key as we serve those God has brought to our shores.