Foundational Statement
We are KRCRC: Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other people of faith and conscience who believe in reproductive justice, abortion rights, and in every pregnant person’s right to have agency over their own body.
Our faiths teach us that we are called to make the best decisions we can about our own well-being and the well-being of those who depend on us. We understand that we are called by our faiths to offer compassion and support to those who may face difficult choices involving pregnancy, adoption, and parenting, and we believe that the pregnant person, with the wisdom of their own doctor and their own faith, is best suited to make the decision that is best for them.
OUR FAITH PARTNER PLEDGE
KRCRC is proud to be a signatory to the Faith Partner Pledge from Faithful Majority. By signing this pledge, we join faith organizations across the country in affirming that every person should be free to make personal decisions about reproductive health guided by their own faith, values, and well-being — not by a politician’s beliefs.
As part of this commitment, KRCRC speaks out against the misuse of religion to justify abortion bans and restrictions that harm our communities and violate true religious freedom. We stand with the faithful majority—people of compassion, dignity, and justice—who refuse to let faith be weaponized and who work together to protect reproductive freedom for all.
BELIEFS ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF LIFE
First and foremost, we understand that there are multiple religious positions regarding when life begins. Some believe that life begins at the very moment of conception. Others hold that life begins when a newborn draws its first breath. Still others believe that life begins with 'ensoulment,' the instilling of a God-given soul, which is understood by many as taking place at the point of fetal viability. Among these positions, none is correct nor incorrect, but a matter of cultural understanding and personal belief. The foundational principle of religious freedom in the U.S. demands that the practice of individual adherents to their own religious tradition be honored. Some argue that abortion is murder based on a religious belief regarding when life begins. We respect their right to practice this belief in their own lives by choosing not to have an abortion. However, they do not have the right to force that belief on others. To do so is to deny their freedom of (and from) religion.
FREE WILL & MORAL AGENCY
The concept of free will is integral to many religious traditions. For example, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, who share a common heritage, worship a common God, and share portions of the same scriptures, almost universally consider free will a foundational aspect of their faith. Our humanity comes with the right of self-determination. We are not puppets on strings nor robots controlled by some divine algorithm; we have the gift of choice. Many believe that God is with us through prayer and reason as we choose that which is right and best for us.
COMPASSION IN THE FACE OF COMPLEXITY
There are many ethical, medical, and personal factors to be considered when making decisions about pregnancy, reproductive health, and family planning. We understand that even traditions that teach that life begins at conception can look beyond this belief to consider these other factors, including the risk to the life, health, or well-being of the pregnant person; the impact of the pregnancy upon the pregnant person's family; the likely quality of life of the future infant; and more. This leads many religious leaders to agree that there are various legitimate reasons for having an abortion.
We are KRCRC: We believe in choice.