Presbyterian
1970 Statement on Abortion, PCUS
"Biblical faith emphasizes the need for personal moral choice, and holds that persons stand ultimately accountable to God for their moral choices. If persons are to exercise their freedom responsibly, acceptable alternatives must be available to them...
There is no consensus in the Christian community about when human life begins...
The willful termination of pregnancy by medical means on the considered decision of a pregnant woman may on occasion be morally justifiable. Possible justifying circumstances would include medical indications of physical or mental deformity, conception as a result of rape or incest, conditions under which the physical or mental health of either mother or child would be gravely threatened, or the socio-economic condition of the family. . . .
Medical intervention should be made available to all who desire and qualify for it, not just those who can afford preferential treatment..."
"Biblical faith emphasizes the need for personal moral choice, and holds that persons stand ultimately accountable to God for their moral choices. If persons are to exercise their freedom responsibly, acceptable alternatives must be available to them...
There is no consensus in the Christian community about when human life begins...
The willful termination of pregnancy by medical means on the considered decision of a pregnant woman may on occasion be morally justifiable. Possible justifying circumstances would include medical indications of physical or mental deformity, conception as a result of rape or incest, conditions under which the physical or mental health of either mother or child would be gravely threatened, or the socio-economic condition of the family. . . .
Medical intervention should be made available to all who desire and qualify for it, not just those who can afford preferential treatment..."
United church of christ
Sixteenth General Synod, 1987
"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 pastors, members, local churches, conferences, and instrumentalities to oppose actively legislation and amendments which seek to revoke or limit access to safe and legal abortions."
"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 pastors, members, local churches, conferences, and instrumentalities to oppose actively legislation and amendments which seek to revoke or limit access to safe and legal abortions."
unitarian universalist
Federal Legislation for Choice, 2009
"THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that Unitarian Universalists in the United States be urged to promote passage of federal legislation to:
1. Guarantee the fundamental right of individual choice in reproductive matters.
2. Require that counseling agencies receiving federal funds provide information about pregnancy options, including abortions.
3. Provide federal funds to make abortion available to women of low income and to women in the armed forces.
4. Ensure the provision of abortion services for all women within a national health program..."
"THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that Unitarian Universalists in the United States be urged to promote passage of federal legislation to:
1. Guarantee the fundamental right of individual choice in reproductive matters.
2. Require that counseling agencies receiving federal funds provide information about pregnancy options, including abortions.
3. Provide federal funds to make abortion available to women of low income and to women in the armed forces.
4. Ensure the provision of abortion services for all women within a national health program..."
evangelical lutheran
Second Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1991
"This church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion. The following provides guidance for those considering such a decision. We recognize that conscientious decisions need to be made in relation to difficult circumstances that vary greatly. What is determined to be morally responsible in one situation may not be in another.
In reflecting ethically on what should be done in the case of an unintended pregnancy, consideration should be given to the status and condition of the life in the womb. We also need to consider the conditions under which the pregnancy occurred and the implications of the pregnancy for the woman's life..."
"This church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion. The following provides guidance for those considering such a decision. We recognize that conscientious decisions need to be made in relation to difficult circumstances that vary greatly. What is determined to be morally responsible in one situation may not be in another.
In reflecting ethically on what should be done in the case of an unintended pregnancy, consideration should be given to the status and condition of the life in the womb. We also need to consider the conditions under which the pregnancy occurred and the implications of the pregnancy for the woman's life..."
Reform judaism
Resolution on State Restrictions on Access to Reproductive Health Services, 2008
THEREFORE, the Central Conference of American Rabbis resolves to:
THEREFORE, the Central Conference of American Rabbis resolves to:
- Affirm the legal right of a family or a woman to determine on the basis of their or her own religious and moral values whether or not to terminate a particular pregnancy, free from government interference; the right of all women to access the birth control; and the right of all people to receive comprehensive and medically accurate sexuality education;
- Urge the broad liberalization of abortion laws in the various states;
- Oppose laws that require a minor to obtain parental consent or notification before she is legally able to terminate her pregnancy that do not include:
reconstructionist judaism
JRF Statement on Reproductive Rights, 1981, 2006
"The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation partners with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice to advocate for, and support reproductive choice through the moral power of religious communities. JRF and RCRC seeks to articulate and advocate for the availability of information and resources that support reproductive choice. We have supported RCRC’s initiatives for many years reflective as reflected in the Reconstructionist movement’s support of women’s rights and a woman’s right to choice in the area of reproductive rights..."
"The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation partners with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice to advocate for, and support reproductive choice through the moral power of religious communities. JRF and RCRC seeks to articulate and advocate for the availability of information and resources that support reproductive choice. We have supported RCRC’s initiatives for many years reflective as reflected in the Reconstructionist movement’s support of women’s rights and a woman’s right to choice in the area of reproductive rights..."
conservative judaism
A Statment on the Permissibility of Abortion, 2010
"Jewish tradition is sensitive to the sanctity of life, and does not permit abortion on demand. However, it sanctions abortion under some circumstances because it dos not regard the fetus as an autonomous person. This is based partly on the Bible (Exodus 21:22-23), which prescribes monetary damages where a person injures a pregnant woman, causing a miscarriage. The Mishnah (Ohalot 7:6) explicitly indicates that one is to abort a fetus if the continuation of pregnancy might imperil the life of the mother. Later authorities have differed as to how far we might go in defining the peril to the mother in order to justify an abortion. The Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards takes the view that an abortion is justifiable if a continuation of pregnancy might cause the mother severe physical or psychological harm, or when the fetus is judged by competent medical opinion as severely defective..."
"Jewish tradition is sensitive to the sanctity of life, and does not permit abortion on demand. However, it sanctions abortion under some circumstances because it dos not regard the fetus as an autonomous person. This is based partly on the Bible (Exodus 21:22-23), which prescribes monetary damages where a person injures a pregnant woman, causing a miscarriage. The Mishnah (Ohalot 7:6) explicitly indicates that one is to abort a fetus if the continuation of pregnancy might imperil the life of the mother. Later authorities have differed as to how far we might go in defining the peril to the mother in order to justify an abortion. The Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards takes the view that an abortion is justifiable if a continuation of pregnancy might cause the mother severe physical or psychological harm, or when the fetus is judged by competent medical opinion as severely defective..."
episcopal church
Reaffirm General Convention Statement on Childbirth and Abortion, 2009
"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 the individual conscience is respected, and that the responsibility of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter is acknowledged and honored as the position of this Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church express its unequivocal opposition to any legislative, executive or judicial action on the part of local, state or national governments that abridges the right of a woman to reach an informed decision about the termination of pregnancy or that would limit the access of a woman to safe means of acting on her decision."
"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 the individual conscience is respected, and that the responsibility of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter is acknowledged and honored as the position of this Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church express its unequivocal opposition to any legislative, executive or judicial action on the part of local, state or national governments that abridges the right of a woman to reach an informed decision about the termination of pregnancy or that would limit the access of a woman to safe means of acting on her decision."