Abortion Pill Suspension Contradicts Beliefs of Most People of Faith, Says Interfaith Leader

People of diverse faiths and beliefs are criticizing Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s decision Friday to halt FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone as an egregious violation of religious freedom.

The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:

"The suspension of mifepristone is the anti-choice movement’s latest attempt to force the religious beliefs of a few on the bodies of many. Contrary to the narrative being pushed by Christian nationalists, with whom the ruling judge has close ties, reproductive freedom is an essential part of religious freedom. This is a clear overstep by an activist judge, motivated more by theology than the law.

"Various religious traditions approach matters of health care differently. Americans should have the ability to make decisions based on their own beliefs and circumstances, not the religious views of public officials. This ruling is completely out of step with the views of Americans from almost every religious tradition according to polls and underlined by the recent Supreme Court vote in Wisconsin, where abortion was a major factor in the landslide victory of Janet Protasiewicz.

"If one thing has become clear since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, it’s that people of faith and conscience will not cede ground to an extreme minority, and will continue to fight for all people to have access to comprehensive reproductive services."