The 3 - May 12, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes the story of freedom of a Pakistani mom who has now left the country after her death sentence was overturned.  Also, a Pennsylvania lawmaker was the catalyst for criticism and a rally at a Planned Parenthood clinic recently.  And, a Southern governor resisted pressure and signed a piece of pro-life legislation.

Pakistani mom freed by high court now in Canada

It has certainly been a long journey for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani wife and mother who was arrested and sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy. After the nation's Supreme Court struck down the sentence, she went into hiding, awaiting another destination.

That new home has been located and she is there. WORLD Magazine reports that:

Bibi’s lawyer, Saif-ul Malook, said she arrived Tuesday in Ottawa, Canada, where her two daughters have lived since December.

“Asia Bibi is now free, and we wish her and her family all the best following their reunification,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

As the article points out, the original incident occurred in 2009.  The high court threw out her death sentence in October and re-affirmed its decision in February of this year.

Pennsylvania lawmaker berates pro-life protestors, pro-life leaders respond with rally

The pro-life movement has been startled by the amazingly rude treatment of protesters outside a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood clinic. The provocation was made by a State Representative, Brian Sims, who, according to ChristianHeadlines.com, was "harassing pro-life teenagers and women praying outside of a Planned Parenthood."  And, his actions were shown on video.

In response, pro-life leaders gathered in Philadelphia on Friday morning, according to the article, which states:

Lila Rose – the founder and CEO of pro-life organization Live Action – opened the rally by calling for the protection of human lives and the resignation of Representative Sims.

She said, “We are here because we love life. Because we believe in the dignity and the right to live for every human being. Because we love and we respect every human life. And because the pro-life community will not back down to any harassment or bullying or hate.”

Former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson and others spoke to the crowd.  Estimates emerged that some 1,000 people showed up on the streets of the city to stand for life and against the rude treatment of pro-lifers by the elected official.

Georgia governor defies Hollywood, signs pro-life bill

There has been a flurry of activity across America in the pro-life space, as state after state has been strengthening its abortion restrictions.  Alabama is considering a tough, new law that would criminalize abortion and present a direct challenge to the language of Roe v. Wade, that says the unborn child is not a person.  So, the bill is designed to present the personhood argument.

Other states have passed what are called "heartbeat" bills, which ban abortion after the time a heartbeat is detected.  Facing some opposition from the entertainment industry, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed that state's "heartbeat" bill into law this week.

The AJC.com website states:

In signing the bill in Georgia, Kemp kept a promise he made during his 2018 campaign.

“All life has value, all life matters and all life is worthy of protection,” Kemp said. “I’m signing this bill to ensure all Georgians have the opportunity to live, grow, learn and prosper in the great state of Georgia.”

The article points out that:

Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio all have signed similar “heartbeat bills.” A federal judge has already issued a preliminary injunction against the Kentucky law, and similar laws enacted in recent years in Iowa and North Dakota have also been struck down in the courts.