How do we in the reproductive health, rights, and justice movement reach that Tiller kind of love, a fierce, compassionate, kind, and transformative love?
“Keep politics out of women’s health” is a sentiment we have heard a lot regarding the Komen debacle. But isn’t it always political? Perhaps even always religious?
When does a legal right become theoretical instead of real? If you want to know the answer, take a look at what’s happening to reproductive rights.
My personal life experience and my work as a pastor show that an unplanned pregnancy can quickly complicate the life of a woman and her loved ones. It’s only right to make contraception available under health reform to all who desire to use it.
As a member of the clergy, I provide many hours of pastoral care to women and families in the congregations and communities where I minister. The clergy experience confirms that these women come to their decisions with a sense of responsibility for themselves, their families, their other children, and their goals in life.
As a government shutdown looms and Congressional leaders indicate that the final sticking point in budget negotiations revolves around extreme proposals to strip funding for women’s health centers, pro-life religious leaders and leading advocates for preventing unplanned pregnancy are speaking out.
While few pro-choice religious leaders get noticed, across the country clergy provide support to their parishioners struggling with medical issues – including reproductive health care.
It’s human nature to want everyone to agree with one’s religion or personal moral code. But I also accept that there will always be vast differences among religious and secular perspectives on life. And I believe that government should not help me or anyone else spread our religious beliefs.
John McCain, a proponent of abstinence-only education programs, is at odds with 80 percent of the American public who support comprehensive sex education. He can sensationalize the issue, but the fact remains that this is an issue of public health and safety.
The Black Church is undergoing a radical change. In place of the silence, our youth and adults are now affirming God’s gift of sexuality and seeking the wisdom to live responsibly as spiritual and sexual beings.
