Where Does Your Church Stand on Abortion?

From RCRC

Episcopal Church, 1988
We regard all abortion as having a tragic dimension,
calling for the concern and compassion of all the Christian
community….
In those cases where an abortion is being considered,
members of this Church are urged to seek the dictates of
their consciences in prayer, to seek the advice and counsel
of members of the Christian community and where
appropriate the sacramental life of this Church….
We believe that legislation concerning abortions will not
address the root of the problem. We therefore express our
deep conviction that any proposed legislation on the part of
national or state governments regarding abortions must
take special care to see that individual conscience is
respected and that the responsibility of individuals to reach
informed decisions in this matter is acknowledged and
honored….


Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), From “Problem
Pregnancies and Abortion,” 1992
Problem pregnancies are the result of, and influenced by,
so many complicated and insolvable circumstances that we
have neither the wisdom nor the authority to address or
decide each situation.
We affirm the ability and responsibility of women,
guided by the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, to make good
moral choices in regard to problem pregnancies.
The considered decision of a woman to terminate a
pregnancy can be a morally acceptable, though certainly
not the only or required, decision. Possible justifying
circumstances would include medical indications of severe
physical or mental deformity, conception as a result of
rape or incest, or conditions under which the physical or
mental health of either woman or child would be gravely
threatened.
We are disturbed by abortions that seem to be elected
only as a convenience or to ease embarrassment. We
affirm that abortion should not be used as a method of
birth control….
We do not wish to see laws enacted that would attach
criminal penalties to those who seek abortions or to
appropriately qualified and licensed persons who perform
abortions in medically approved facilities….
The Christian community must be concerned about and
address the circumstances that bring a woman to consider
abortion as the best available option. Poverty, unjust
societal realities, sexism, racism, and inadequate
supportive relationships may render a woman virtually
powerless to choose freely….
By affirming the ability and responsibility of a woman to
make good moral choices regarding problem pregnancies,
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) does not advocate
abortion but instead acknowledges circumstances in a
sinful world that may make abortion the least
objectionable of difficult options….

United Methodist Church, 2004

The church's current position on abortion, approved by
the 2004 General Conference, is found in the Book of
Discipline, Social Principles. Text added in 2004 is in bold
face type.
Abortion—“The beginning of life and the ending of life
are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While
individuals have always had some degree of control over
when they would die, they now have the awesome power
to determine when and even whether new individuals will
be born. Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life
makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally
bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being
of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result
from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past
Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life
with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases, we
support the legal option of abortion under proper medical
procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable
means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as
a means of gender selection. We oppose the use of late-term
abortion known as dilation and extraction (partial-birth
abortion) and call for the end of this practice except
when the physical life of the mother is in danger and no
other medical procedure is available, or in the case of
severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life. We call all
Christians to a searching and prayerful inquiry into the
sorts of conditions that may warrant abortion. We commit
our Church to continue to provide nurturing ministries to
those who terminate a pregnancy, to those in the midst of a
crisis pregnancy, and to those who give birth. We
particularly encourage the Church, the government,
and social service agencies to support and facilitate the
option of adoption. Governmental laws and regulations
do not provide all the guidance required by the informed
Christian conscience. Therefore, a decision concerning
abortion should be made only after thoughtful and
prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with
medical, pastoral, and other appropriate counsel.”
When an unacceptable pregnancy occurs, a family, and
most of all the pregnant woman, is confronted with the
need to make a difficult decision. We believe that
continuance of a pregnancy which endangers the life or
health of the mother, or poses other serious problems
concerning the life, health, or mental capability of the child
to be, is not a moral necessity. In such a case, we believe
the path of mature Christian judgment may indicate the
advisability of abortion. We support the legal right to
abortion as established by the 1973 Supreme Court
decisions. We encourage women in counsel with husbands,
doctors, and pastors to make their own responsible
decisions concerning the personal or moral questions
surrounding the issue of abortion. – Resolution on
Responsible Parenthood, Readopted, 2004

Unitarian Universalist Association, 1963
(reaffirmed 1968, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1987)
Therefore be it resolved that the 1987 General Assembly
of the Unitarian Universalist Association reaffirms its
historic position, supporting the right to choose
contraception and abortion as legitimate aspects of the
right to privacy; and
Be it further resolved that individual Unitarian
Universalists educate themselves, their congregation, and the public
about the new moral understandings emergent in the
works of feminist theologians and social ethicists; and
oppose any move to deny or restrict the distribution of
government funds as a means of restricting access to
full contraceptive and abortion counseling and/or
services, at home or abroad; and

• UnitarianUniversalists actively oppose all legislation,regulations and administrative action, at any level of government intended to undermine or circumvent theRoe v. Wade decision; and
  

• communicate their opposition to such attempts to their legislative representatives and to the electorate; expose and oppose bogus clinics and other tactics that infringe on the free exercise of the right to choose; andpromote legislation funding safe abortions for low-income women.

United Church of Christ, 1987
(Statements regarding freedom of choice were also passed
in 1971, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989, and 1991.)
Whereas, women and men must make decisions about
unplanned or unwanted pregnancies that involve their
physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being; and
…Whereas, abortion is a social justice issue, both for
parents dealing with pregnancy and parenting under highly
stressed circumstances, as well as for our society as a
whole;
…Therefore, be it resolved, that the Sixteenth General
Synod:

• affirms the sacredness of all life, and the need to protect and defend human life in particular;

• encourages persons facing unplanned pregnancies to consider giving birth and parenting the child, or releasing the child for adoption, before abortion;

• upholds the right of men and women to have access to adequately funded family planning services, and to safe, legal abortions as one option among others;

• urges the United Church of Christ, at all levels, to provide educational resources and programs to persons, especially young persons, to help reduce the incidence of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, and to encourage responsible approaches to sexual behavior.

Union for Reform Judaism, 1975 (reaffirmed 1981,
1990)

• Affirm our unwavering commitment to the protection and preservation of the reproductive rights of women;

• pledge our presence and support wherever, whenever, and for however long our goal may require it at the federal, state and local levels of government; further,

• we affirm our commitment to work in coalition with compatible pro-choice groups.

• Endorse the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade and deplore all attempts, legislative and judicial, to dismantle it.

• Support non-restrictive federal and state funding of reproductive services, including abortion, and non-restrictive private insurer coverage.

• Support minors' access to reproductive health services, including contraceptives and abortion, unrestricted byparental notification, parental permission, or other court ordered requirements.
  
  • Support the use of public hospitals and clinics, however defined, for the performance of abortions, with unrestricted access and funding for women who need it; affirm the right of health professionals, those publicly employed and those in private practice, to provide reproductive service counseling and advice, including information about family planning, contraception and abortion, and to perform abortions; oppose the criminalization of either the health professionals who perform or assist at abortions or the women who receive them and affirm the obligation of local governments to protect physically the clients, staff, and premises of reproductive care facilities against the actions of anti-choice persons and groups.
  
  
  
  

United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, 1975
(reaffirmed 1989)
Jewish tradition cherishes the sanctity of life, even the
potential of life which a pregnant woman carries within
her. Under certain unfortunate circumstances, such as
when the life or health of the mother are in jeopardy,
Judaism sanctions, even mandates, abortion. Judaism does
not, however, condone or permit abortion for contraceptive
purposes; and
Judaism does not believe that personhood and human
rights begin with conception. The premise that personhood
begins with conception is founded on a religious position
which is not identical with Jewish tradition. Therefore,
under special circumstances, Judaism chooses and requires
abortion as an act which affirms and protects the life, well
being and health of the mother. To deny a Jewish woman
and her family the ability to obtain a safe, legal abortion
when so mandated by Jewish tradition, is to deprive Jews
of their fundamental right of religious freedom;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the United Synagogue
for Conservative Judaism continues to affirm its strong
support for the 1973 Supreme Court decision of Roe v.
Wade. Any weakening, limitation, or withdrawal of the
Roe v. Wade decision is sure to produce tragic
consequences.

Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, 1981
Although the Jewish tradition regards children as a
blessing, a gift of life itself, the tradition permits the
abortion of an unborn child in order to safeguard the life
and physical and mental health of the mother. The rabbis
did not take a consistent stand on the question of whether a
fetus resembles "a person." They did not think it possible
to arrive at a final theoretical answer to the question of
abortion, for that would mean nothing less than to be able
to define convincingly what it means to be human.
We recognize that abortion is a tragic choice. Any
prospective parent must make an agonizing decision
between competing claims—the fetus, health, the need to
support oneself and one's family, the need for time for a
marriage to stabilize, responsibility for other children and
the like. Some of us consider abortion to be immoral
except under the most extraordinary circumstances. Yet we
all empathize with the anguish of those who must make the
decision to abort or not to abort.


American Baptist Churches, USA, 1988
We grieve with all who struggle with the difficult
circumstances that lead them to consider abortion.
Recognizing that each person is ultimately responsible to
God, we encourage women and men in these
circumstances to seek spiritual counsel as they prayerfully
and conscientiously consider their decision…We also
recognize that we are divided as to the proper witness of
the church to the state regarding abortion…Consequently,
we acknowledge the freedom of each individual to
advocate for a public policy on abortion that reflects his or
her beliefs.
…We call upon American Baptist Congregations:
• To challenge members to live in a way that models
responsible sexuality in accordance with biblical
teaching,
•To expend efforts and funds for teaching responsible
sexuality,
•To provide opportunities for intergenerational
dialogue on responsible sexuality and Christian life,
•To provide relevant ministries to adolescents and
parents of adolescents in and out of the church.


American Friends Service Committee, 1970
(reaffirmed 1989)
For two decades the AFSC has taken a consistent
position supporting a woman's right to follow her own
conscience concerning child-bearing, abortion and
sterilization. AFSC is deeply aware that the decision to
terminate a pregnancy is seldom an easy one. That choice
must be made free of coercion, including the coercion of
poverty, racial discrimination and availability of services
to those who cannot pay.


Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1975
(reaffirmed 1989)
Whereas, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has
proclaimed that in Christ, God affirms freedom and
responsibility for individuals, and
Whereas, legislation is being introduced into the U.S.
Congress which would embody in law one particular
opinion concerning the morality of abortion…
Therefore be it resolved, that the General Assembly of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)ƒ Affirm the principle of individual liberty, freedom of individual conscience, and sacredness of life
for all persons.

• ƒ Respect differences in religious beliefs concerning abortion and oppose, in accord with the principle of religious liberty, any attempt to legislate a specific religious opinion or belief concerning abortion upon all Americans.

• provide through ministry of the local congregation, pastoral concern and nurture of persons faced wƒith the responsibility and trauma surrounding undesired pregnancy.

Phew! Be sure to add more if you know of other Christian denominations that support abortion.