Missouri Judge Upholds State's Abortion Ban Against Religious Freedom Challenge

Interfaith clergy argue the ban imposes religious beliefs, but the court finds it constitutional

St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser ruled that Missouri's abortion ban does not violate the separation of church and state.
The lawsuit was filed by 14 interfaith clergy members, including rabbis, claiming the law enforced personal religious beliefs.
The judge stated that the belief that life begins at conception is not exclusively religious and aligns with the state constitution's language.
Clergy members and advocacy groups are considering further legal action in response to the ruling.
Missouri's abortion ban, one of the first enacted after Roe v. Wade was overturned, allows abortions only in medical emergencies.