I find it hard to think of anything other than the leak from the Supreme Court regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We all knew there would be lasting consequences to a more conservative administration. This one could be detrimental to women’s health across the country. The U.S. already has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations. We do not do a good job with women’s health and if abortion is criminalized again, more women’s lives will be at risk.
No one loves the idea of abortion. However, we all know what happens when abortion isn’t available to women who are not in a position to give birth (for any number of reasons). Neither church nor government should determine what is right for any woman. It’s a personal decision that has a myriad of levels. Whose rights are next to be abolished if the Supreme Court moves forward with this?
I can’t help but see the influence of a literal, legalistic Christianity on this “opinion” from the Supreme Court. In this moment, much rests on public voice. If we aren’t comfortable advocating for women’s rights, think about your own rights. If this sitting Court is against abortion, it is likely against gay marriage, Trans* rights, and the rights of BIPOC folx.
This is about more than abortion. Progressive church has an opportunity to embody Divine Love in the public sphere. We have a chance to bring love into a wrongly politicized situation. We have a chance to proclaim God’s love for women, for Queer and Trans* folx, for BIPOC folx, and for every marginalized and multiply-marginalized person.
Let’s not let this moment go unnoticed. Let’s find ways to demonstrate the true universal and unconditional love God offers all.
Yes, maternal mortality in the U.S. is a disturbing metric. When disaggregated by race, those data also reveal incredible racial inequality. Black moms are 3-5 times as likely to die during antenatal/delivery times than White women, and that holds true no matter her wealth, education or pre-existing health conditions. There are Black maternal mortality rates in parts of the U.S. that are the same as those in sub-Saharan Africa. My God. We cannot sit back and watch these harms be done without doing something…
Yes. This is about so much more than abortion rights. I wish more people were paying attention. One issue of justice is attached to all other issues of justice.