Church and State
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It is sometimes said that a law protecting the fetus on the ground that it is a person (or that it possesses the same rights as a person) would be unconstitutional because it would violate the required separation of church and state. Is anti-abortion legislation an attempt to force a religious doctrine on the nation? Is the issue inherently religious?

Some of those who defend the rights of the fetus base their position on Biblical sources. Others see the will of God in each pregnancy. Perhaps some rely on the authority of their church leaders. If so, does it matter? Why?

Is there a principle by which positions like these can be declared illegitimate or out of bounds in American politics or legal argument?

Keep in mind that someone might advocate legislation against theft or murder or rape and base their position on Biblical sources. Would this be an argument against such legislation? If many black Americans felt a religious inspiration during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, does that detract from their goals or from the legitimacy of civil rights legislation?

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