January 26, 2024

Study on Rape & Abortion, Oregon Drug Reversal, Religious Nones

January 26, 2024


January 26, 2024

Together with:

"The nearer the soul can come to the Lord in this life, the greater will be its happiness and advantage in the next.”

Richard Baxter

Study On Abortion Bans & Rape

A study estimates that 64,565 pregnancies have resulted from rape in 14 U.S. states where abortion is banned, following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Supreme Court decision. The researchers used CDC and FBI data, determining that approximately 520,000 rapes occurred in these states during abortion bans. They then calculated that 12.5% of these assaults would lead to pregnancy.

The study aims to expose the impact of limited abortion access, emphasizing the challenges faced by survivors seeking abortions in states without exceptions for rape. The study hopes to raise concerns about the implications of limited reproductive choices for survivors of sexual assault and change the conversation about reproductive rights across the country.

There are numerous concerns with this story and its intention to "raise concern," but none greater than the underlying assumption that rape (the crime of the father) justifies the termination of the life of the child (abortion) (Ezekiel 18:20). While it is wrong to minimize the pain and trauma associated with victims of rape, it is even more horrible to punish and sentence to death the innocent child that is the result of it. The God who forms us in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5) is the same God who will exact His vengeance on the wicked (1 Thessalonians 4:6, Romans 12:19) and who calls us to protect the resulting life (Proverbs 31:8) and care for the victim (Psalm 82:3-4).

Not nearly as troubling, but still contributing to the concerns with the study and its intended implications, is the unsupported claim that 12.5% of these sexual assaults lead to pregnancies (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14).

Rape is evil (Deuteronomy 22:25), and the sacrifice of the woman to care for the life that begins as a result of it is courageous and requires great selflessness and compassion. Women who care for the child they have been given in such circumstances deserve our admiration, encouragement, and help (Isaiah 58:6-9).

By: Kirby Mankin & Todd Wagner

Oregon Reverses Course

Democratic lawmakers in Oregon are proposing a significant reversal of the state's pioneering drug decriminalization law. The new bill, announced on Tuesday, seeks to re-criminalize the possession of small amounts of drugs as a low-level misdemeanor, allowing police intervention to address major issues in rising public drug use.

Despite the initial support for the decriminalization law in 2020, legislators have now grappled with a surge in drug related crimes and overdose deaths, which prompted the reconsideration of drug policy. The bill is set to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session that begins in February.

Good intentions do not make good law; attention to wisdom does (Proverbs 12:15). Minimizing consequences for self-destructive behavior is not the recipe for future prosperity (Proverbs 23:13-14). Oregon's move to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs should have always been deeply concerning to anyone who understands the progressive nature of sin and addiction (Proverbs 24:23-24).

Meanwhile, we can rejoice at Oregon’s move to correct their error (Proverbs 28:13), even while we encourage them to base future laws on wiser sources than the opinions and ideas of man (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Rather than surrendering to the false belief that drug use is a harmless personal choice, clear-thinking people advocate for policies and programs that treat addiction, prevent harm, and restore broken lives (Luke 4:18). The remnant should continually advocate for laws informed by the wisdom of God’s word (Deuteronomy 4:40) and offer grace, forgiveness, and compassion to those who are suffering from the death that results from the way of man (Proverbs 14:12).

By: Cooper Wagner & Todd Wagner

Religious “Nones”

Yesterday, Pew research released a new report that 28% of Americans identify with the “nones” group, identifying as “atheists, agnostics, or nothing in particular” when asked about religious beliefs. Interestingly, this is the first year since 2016 that there has not been a recorded rise in those with that identification. In 2022 31% of the population identified as “noners”, in fact, 28% is the lowest recorded finding in the last five years.

Many hold mixed views on religion, acknowledging both harm and good. Although "nones" tend to be less civically engaged than religiously affiliated individuals, the data reveals variations within the group, with atheists and agnostics often participating at rates comparable to or exceeding their religious counterparts.

God’s Word anticipated that we would see an increase in those who have abandoned truth, forsaken righteousness, and scoff at God (1 Timothy 4:1). Rather than getting disheartened at this reality, the remnant should “take heart” (John 16:33), do the “work of an evangelist” (1 Timothy 4:5), and do all we can to deliver those being “taken away to slaughter” (Proverbs 24:11-12) by the cultural drift of our day.

Each of us should ask ourselves if we are grounded in God's Word (Psalm 119:105) and be slow to assume our faith is safe (1 Corinthians 10:12), actively being diligent to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). Wisdom calls us to remain on the alert against cultural trends that are working to shipwreck our faith (1 Timothy 1:19). May the remnant hold to sound teaching (2 Timothy 3:14), and encourage each other day after day so we would not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). God’s Word admonishes us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and zealously walk by the Spirit in obedience to Christ (Galatians 5:16).

If the remnant do none of the above, you can be sure there will be more “nones” next year. As culture drifts, determine to stand firm in Him who alone is worthy of our trust, rejoicing that our Father will keep you from stumbling as you continue to abide in Him (Jude 1:24-25).

By: The Remnant News Team

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