Some Christians support abortion funding in health care reform

Members of several Christian denominations have signed on to a letter sent to the U.S. Senate by an interfaith organization backing abortion funding in health care reform legislation. The “Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Abortion as Moral Decision” created by The Religious Institute of Westport, Conn., states women have the moral and spiritual capacity decide for themselves whether or not abortion is acceptable. “We affirm women as moral agents who have the capacity, right and responsibility to make the decision as to whether or not abortion is justified in their specific circumstances,” the letter says. “The sanctity of human life is best upheld when we assure that it is not created carelessly. It is precisely because life and parenthood are so precious that no woman should be coerced to carry a pregnancy to term.” The Open Letter calls on government leaders to respect religious difference on the question of abortion. It states: “Women must have the right to apply or reject the principles of their own faith without legal restrictions. We oppose any attempt to make specific religious doctrine concerning abortion the law for all Americans or for the women of the world.” Clergy who supported the letter came from the American Baptist Church, the Church of the Brethren, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. To read the letter, see: http://www.religiousinstitute.org/sites/default/files/open_letters/abortionopenletter.pdf