+ a record number of school shootings in 2022 US Edition - Today's top story: How the threat of 'taxpayer-funded abortion' is being used to mobilize conservative religious voters [View in browser]( US Edition | 25 October 2022 [The Conversation]( Debate in the U.S. over abortion has focused primarily on access in different states, especially since the Supreme Courtâs ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womenâs Health Organization. Though that ruling overturned Roe v. Wade, a major threat still looms from the perspective of conservative religious groups: the notion that abortion is funded in some states using tax dollars. Indeed, many evangelical Christians and Catholics believe that they are âpersonally complicit in sinâ when their tax dollars are used to fund abortion. Ruth Braunstein, a sociologist at the University of Connecticut, explains that [this fear has often been used to mobilize anti-abortion voters](. If history is any guide to the post-Dobbs world of the 2022 midterms, this threat might be used again to motivate voters, she writes. Also today: - [How American politics can restore civility](
- [Clowns have always been creepy](
- [Why atheists are a rare sight on Capitol Hill]( Kalpana Jain Senior Religion + Ethics Editor
The right to abortion is among the top issues on the ballot in several states. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File
[How the threat of âtaxpayer-funded abortionâ is being used to mobilize conservative religious voters]( Ruth Braunstein, University of Connecticut In the midterms, some religious voters may be motivated by the argument that if abortion is funded with tax dollars, it makes them personally complicit in sin. Arts + Culture -
[The creepy clown originated in the crass and bawdy circus clowns of the 19th century]( Madeline Steiner, University of South Carolina Todayâs creepy clowns are not a divergence from tradition, but a return to it. Politics + Society -
[Democratic and Republican voters both love civility â but the bipartisan appeal is partly because nobody can agree on what civility is]( Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University Political debate has always been filled with heated words and deeply held emotions. But the level of civility in political discourse has reached a new low. -
[How gender, race, age and voter ID laws affect whether a voter actually casts a ballot]( Jane Junn, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; John Holbein, University of Virginia; Nazita Lajevardi, Michigan State University Every citizen has the right to vote. But various characteristics and legal requirements affect how likely any one person is to actually cast a ballot. Education -
[With months still to go, 2022 has already seen a record number of school shootings]( James Densley, Metropolitan State University ; David Riedman, University of Central Florida; Jillian Peterson, Hamline University On Oct. 24, while a teenage gunman was pleading guilty for a deadly school incident in Michigan, another school shooting was taking place in St. Louis. Economy + Business -
[Building subsidized low-income housing actually lifts property values in a neighborhood, contradicting NIMBY concerns]( Anthony W. Orlando, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona The concentration of subsidized low-income housing developments isnât as bad as residents fear: It actually increases property values â at a faster rate than other neighborhoods. -
[What nonprofit boards need to do to protect the public interest]( Beth Gazley, Indiana University Their primary obligations consist of three duties: care, loyalty and obedience. Ethics + Religion -
[The midterms will see a number of nonreligious candidates â but why is it so hard for atheists to get voted into Congress?]( Phil Zuckerman, Pitzer College Despite growing numbers of non-religious Americans, self-declared atheists are few and far between in the halls of power â putting the US at odds with other global democracies. From our international editions -
[Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: who is he and how did he end up with the top job in British politics?]( -
[Clampdown on chip exports is the most consequential US move against China yet]( -
[The protests in Iran are part of a long history of womenâs resistance]( Today's graphic [âA]( From the story, [Rebuilding affordable housing is essential for coastal businessesâ hurricane recovery]( - -
About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( Youâre receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](