Question(s) about religion and abortion

[shimmergal]

No, this isn't going to be the usual stuff about the Catholic church and the fundies' total opposition to Roe V Wade.

I've heard that Judaism not only considers some abortions morally justified, but that under certain circumstances, having an abortion may be the most, or the only, moral choice.

Can anyone confirm this?

Also, are there any other churches or religious traditions that take a similar position?

Just wondered, because there's a connection between this and threats to Roe v Wade.

[sam sarrha]

1. The connection is Abortion is Killing a one of gods little soldiers..

[murielm99]

2. Are you familiar with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive

Choice? Go to their website. You will see that Judaism is pro-choice, along with many others.

The pastor who is the head of this organization spoke at The March for Women's Lives. He was quite effective. He warned us not to let them hijack our religion.

He was an African-American gentleman. He said he is pro-choice, because he grew up in the South, and saw many poor African-American women lose their lives to back alley abortions.

Try this:

http://www.rcrc.org/faith_choices/common_questions/answer1.htm

[MemphisTiger]

4. Some get labeled as pro-choice because they don't outright

ban it for any instance. Methodism for example states it's an option for incest, rape or life of the mother, but I haven't met many pastors that would actually condone it.

[murielm99]

5. I disagree.

I am a United Methodist. Read their statement here:

http://www2.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732

I believe it is sensitively written to include unwanted pregnancies and medical conditions. If a pastor has a personal objection to abortion, that does not preclude proper counseling for a church member who may come to him or her.

We should ask Reverend Cheesehead about this. She is a member here, and a UMC pastor.

[MemphisTiger]

6. Maybe it's the churches in my area (the south)

that are firmly against it. However, we seem like the ultra-liberal, if that's a bad thing, compared to all the Southern Baptist around here. Also, just because the doctrine states that we are kind of pro-choice, it doesn't mean that it won't be changes. If some leaders have thier way, it will be. I guess we'll see at the next conference. Maybe they'll see that the argument over gays is a losing battle.

[murielm99]

7. Yes. The way we treat gays is a shame.

My church has lost some good members because of the church's statement on gays. That has to change.

[murielm99]

3. Try this, too.

religioustolerance.org is a great website. They try to present all sides of an issue. This tells you who is pro-choice and who is not:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_hist1.htm

[catbert836]

8. I believe that is correct.

Judaism believes that life starts at the moment of birth, not at the moment of conception. Therefore, abortion is not a sin or evil. As for the most moral choice, that would make sense, especially in cases where the child would grow up not wanted, or in an abusive environment. Abortion would be the most merciful in that case.
Other religions? I think Buddhism takes a similar position, although not sure if its for the same reasons as Judaism. I'll have to check that out.

[Agnomen]

9. World religions stance on abortion link

http://www.religiousconsultation.org/summary_of_sacred_choices.htm