Late last week I posted a statement from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice praising the decision by President Obama repealing the global gag rule. RCRC stated:
Also known as the Mexico City policy, the rule prohibited American dollars from being granted to foreign family planning clinics unless they agreed not to use their own private, non-U.S. funds for abortion services or counseling. The rule also prohibited organizations from lobbying to reform harmful anti-abortion policies and laws.
Over the last several decades the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, our high deliberative body, has reaffirmed the right of women to make their own health care decisions. But that does not many everyone in the UCC is pro-choice.
Douglas e-mailed this morning to say:
I am a member of the UCC. I do not condone the wholesale murder of embryos that is taking place in abortion clinics. I feel that this is not a right bur a crime against humanity. There are only two situations where one has to question the use of abortion and then it is questionable. The life of the mother or baby is in jeopardy or in cases of rape. I am a parent and cherish the memories of my daughter growing up. I would not have given that up for anything. Children are gifts we receive from God and entrusted to us by Him for our care and nurturing. When someone flushes this gift away it is a terrible crime which should not be alowed. On other maters I consider myself a liberal.
One of my favorite aspects of the United Church of Christ is that we allow the freedom to disagree. You don't have to agree with a General Synod ruling, for example, but be do ask that people respect those involved in the decision making process.
On the issue of abortion, I still wonder where we can find common ground? Perhaps in legislation that seeks to end the need for so many abortions by providing family planning, critically needed birth control, and support for families with young children.
