This past winter, I co-led an online bible study on the topic, “The Bible & Social Issues” which included the United Methodist Church’s stance on the topic of abortion. Our main resource for this study was the Bible along with the “Book of Resolutions” of the UMC. Along with the topic of abortion, we also focused on Economic Injustice, Racism, Gender Identity & Human Sexuality, and Church & State. One of our discoveries during this study was in how these five issues overlap in various ways.
The purpose of the Bible study was not only help participants to be aware of our denomination’s stances on various issues, but to also explore the complexities when discussing these important topics. We also agreed to be respectful with each other during our discussion times and to see these stances as an important resource in formulating our own opinions. That winter bible study on social issues was very timely especially with the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Below are the notes from my winter bible study’s focus on the topic of abortion. What is most interesting to note about that study was in how there is a wide range of stances regarding abortion among the major Christian denominations. The reason for this is because like the other social issues we covered in the study, there are many complexities in how we approach these topics from a faith perspective.
Winter, 2022 The Bible & Social Issues Notes: Abortion
The United Methodist Church affirms the sanctity of life in these two statements in the Social Principles:
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 and the unborn child.
These statements, and others, place the United Methodist position on abortion firmly on the spectrum of life-based ethics rather than choice-based ethics.
Life-based ethics place life at the center of guidance regarding situations where there may be conflicts. Life-based ethics call for as much life as possible to be honored and preserved in such situations. Choice-based ethics place the sovereignty of a person's right to choose at the center of such arguments.
United Methodists affirm the sanctity of unborn human life. We similarly understand that the pregnant woman is also a life of sacred worth, and that there are circumstances in which there may be "tragic conflicts of life versus life." In these difficult situations, abortion may offer the better way to preserve as much life as possible.
Critical to preserving life is ready access to proper medical care. This includes access to medical care when abortion may be indicated to preserve the most life possible. That is why the Social Principles affirm that "in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures by certified medical providers.”
Additional official statements of The United Methodist Church express the denomination's life-centered ethics:
• The United Methodist Church does NOT affirm abortion as a means of birth control.
• We also “unconditionally reject” abortion as a means of gender selection or eugenics.
• And we reject late-term abortions except where the mother's life is in danger, or in cases of severe fetal abnormalities incompatible with life
All Christians faced with such decisions are called to enter them with prayer, searching the Scriptures, and all other means of seeking God’s will, guidance, and wisdom. We also strongly encourage such persons to seek the counsel of parents, other family members, clergy, and professionals in both medicine and counseling.
When faced with an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, “We particularly encourage… the option of adoption.” When a woman selects adoption as the outcome of her pregnancy for which she feels best, the Social Principles encourage churches to assist her with appropriate resources and support.
While we understand the need for women to have access to safe, legal abortions, we also “mourn and are committed to promoting the diminishment of high abortion rates.” We encourage ministries that reduce unintended pregnancies, such as sex education, access to voluntary family planning, contraception, and “initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all women and girls around the globe.”
Finally, United Methodists are committed to ministering with those who have had an abortion, providing support and encouragement. Whatever situation led to a decision to abort, there is always much loss, and much need for healing.
The various religious stances on abortion which includes the major Christian denominations reveal the wide spectrum that exists.
United Methodist Pastor, Rev. Robert Vaughn, Jr., has direct experience counseling women about terminating a pregnancy. He said his experience has convinced him of the wisdom of the United Methodist approach.
“In one of my churches, I had a young woman who would term herself ‘pro-life,’” he said. “However, she was a young adult with a mental health condition that was managed with medication. The medication meant that she could function well, but it also meant that if she became pregnant, she couldn’t carry the pregnancy to term.”
Vaughn said the young woman did become pregnant and chose abortion, knowing the fetus wouldn’t be viable because of her own health condition.
“I remember walking with her as she and her family went through that situation,” he recalled. “She had to run the gantlet of people screaming at her before she reached a protected zone (that restricted demonstrations outside the clinic). It was good to be part of a denomination that respected her as an independent moral decision-maker, that gave her the right to choose.”
Vaughn was adamant that access to reproductive health care, including abortion, forms a key part of United Methodists’ “reluctant pro-choice” stance.
“To drive hundreds of miles for health care, including reproductive care, is just not appropriate,” he said. “In some places you have to go a long way for health care. Closing clinics and not providing training for full health care is a challenge. There’s a lack of health care in rural places. Some women don’t have the economic resources to travel, plus they’d need to take off work. It’s problematic that some states have put in delaying tactics such as requiring a first and a second appointment before a procedure.”
[The story above regarding Rev. Robert Vaughn, Jr. was included in “United Methodist Insight” by reporter, Cynthia Castle.]
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