Pro-Faith • Pro-Family • Pro-Choice
THEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Many religious groups support women’s right to make reproductive decisions. These groups, with more than 20 million members in the
The Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Association, and Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative Judaism all have official statements in support of reproductive choice as a matter of conscience, adopted by their governing bodies. Religious and religiously affiliated organizations from these and other traditions and independent religious organizations such as Catholics for a Free Choice are members of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Members of the Coalition do not necessarily agree on various issues but work together to keep reproductive choice safe and legal and to improve family planning, contraception, sexuality education, healthcare, prenatal and postnatal services, and other human services that prevention unintended pregnancy, reduce the need for abortion, and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.
To learn more about denominational perspectives on issues of reproductive choice, visit the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing released an Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Abortion as Moral Decision on January 18, 2005. The statement reaffirms women's moral agency, in light of religious respect for life, scriptural teachings on abortion, the moral imperative for access, and a commitment to religious pluralism.
Developed at a colloquium of theologians sponsored by the Religious Institute and funded by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the Open Letter addresses such current issues as fetal rights, adolescent access to services, and provider conscience clauses. It was created by leading theologians and ordained clergy from a diverse range of religious perspectives including the American Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of the Brethren, Jewish, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and Unitarian Universalist faiths. Click here to read the Open Letter.
The Center for American Progress published an editorial on religious support for abortion rights by The Reverend Debra W. Haffner, Director Religious Institute on Sexual Morality Justice, and Healing. Click here to read the editorial.
Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
122 W. Franklin Ave., #303, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: (612) 870-0974 | Email: info[at]mnrcrc.org