Oracle Temple is a multi-faith church in Independence, VA. Each Temple Talk features a guest speaker and a theme for us to explore by engaging in high-level discussion and spiritual reflection.

In this Temple Talk, we will explore the First Amendment Approach to challenging anti-abortion legislation, which is a more meaningful argument than using the Fourteenth Amendment:

The Fourteenth Amendment Argument: Roe v. Wade was based on an implicit “right to privacy” under the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The right to privacy was carved out for sexual matters (e.g., birth control, interracial marriage). Under this argument, however, the states have counter-balancing rights, which is how they undermined Roe v. Wade.

The First Amendment Argument: The 1st Amendment permits no state encroachment because “Religious Freedom” is deemed an absolute constitutional right. Therefore, religious rights provide a better basis for female bodily sovereignty.

Join us for this Temple Talk to learn more and hear from those working on challenging abortion bans using the First Amendment as their moral and legal reasoning: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84525956957

Rabbi Barry Silver, of the L'Dor Vador congregation in Florida, will be joining us. Rabbi Silver has filed in Florida to challenge the abortion ban in his state.