Religious News Roundup: Abortion Pill Laws, Doctor’s Death, Worship Protections

State legislators in pro-life areas are targeting abortion medication access as telehealth becomes the primary method for obtaining pills. Meanwhile, California considers new protections for houses of worship amid rising protests.

State representatives in areas with strict abortion laws are turning their attention to legislation targeting abortion medication access. South Dakota’s governor recently approved such legislation this month, while Mississippi legislators appear near completion of similar measures. This legislative push follows new research indicating that obtaining medication through remote healthcare services has surpassed interstate travel as the primary method for women in restrictive states to access abortion services.

Research conducted by the Guttmacher Institute reveals that in 2025, women in the 13 states with complete abortion bans accessed medication through telehealth services more frequently than traveling across state lines for procedures – marking the first time this trend has occurred.

In other developments, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, the abortion provider who received a life sentence for the deaths of three infants born alive, has passed away at 85 years old. His deteriorating West Philadelphia facility earned the notorious designation as a “house of horrors.” Former staff members provided testimony that he regularly conducted prohibited procedures beyond Pennsylvania’s 24-week restriction. Following the controversy, two senior state health department officials lost their positions. Prison officials report that Gosnell died at a medical facility outside the correctional system, having been most recently housed at the State Correctional Institution-Smithfield, located approximately 60 miles south of Pittsburgh.

California state representatives are reviewing proposed legislation to create protective zones around religious facilities, aimed at maintaining distance between protesters and worshippers. The proposed law would establish 100-foot boundaries around churches, synagogues, and mosques, prohibiting protesters from approaching congregation members without permission. The measure, backed by 40 Jewish organizations throughout California, stems from pro-Palestinian demonstrations targeting synagogues. Additionally, an incident in Minnesota where protesters opposing President Trump’s immigration policies disrupted a church service likely contributed to the bill’s development.

New research from the Pew Research Center examines the connection between religious affiliation and educational achievement across the United States. The study indicates that Hindu community members demonstrate the highest likelihood of obtaining bachelor’s degrees or higher education, with 70 percent achieving this level. Jewish individuals follow at 65 percent completion rates. The research also shows that 44 percent of Muslims hold degrees, along with 40 percent of Mainline Protestants. In contrast, fewer than one-third of Evangelical Protestants possess bachelor’s degrees, while less than one-quarter of Black Protestants have achieved this educational milestone.