Americans to pay for abortions

When the House passed the historic Senate version of health care reform, it opened the door for the federal government to pay for more abortions than at any time in history.

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., who had led the pro-life opposition, changed his vote after President Obama promised to sign an executive order said to place certain limits on abortion funding.

Nonetheless, it is the first time in more than 30 years that the government has departed from its longstanding policy of not using federal dollars to directly pay for abortions.

Year and review 2009: Signs and wonders

Religious Influence in Decline
According to a 2009 Gallup survey, two-thirds of Americans think religion is losing its influence on U.S. life. 67 percent of Americans think religious influence is waning, while just 27 percent say it is increasing. That perspective demonstrates a continuing downward trend, Gallup said. But the 27 percent figure is still higher than the record low, set in a 1970 poll, when just 14 percent of Americans thought religion was increasing in influence.

STDs on the Rise

Pro-life ministries make their mark in South Florida

Pro-life advocates might be discouraged that three anti-abortion measures were soundly defeated in South Dakota, California and Colorado during the national elections, but at least they have something to smile about in Florida.

Abortions have decreased in the state by 3.8 percent according to the 2007 Florida Vital Statistics Annual Report.