Statement of Women's Division on March for Freedom of Choice

Women’s Division directors are “in touch” with the majority of religious society. While they may not personally agree with the issue of abortion, they believe that the decision should be a personal, moral, and medical decision of the woman. Politics should not make the decision for women.

Therefore, to protect the health of women, Women’s Division directors—along with the General Board of Church and Society -- voted to participate in the April 2004 march: “Save Women’s Lives: March for Freedom of Choice.” Directors do not want the government to determine what is in a woman’s best interest.

For years, anti-choice proponents have claimed that religious people oppose abortion. According to a survey done by Lake, Snell, Perry and Associates, seventy percent of voters agree that the government should not intrude on a woman’s decision whether to have an abortion. Two-thirds say that while they may not choose to have an abortion, they would protect other women’s rights to make that choice. And, 61% of mainline Protestants and non-religious voters favor Roe versus Wade.

The Social Principles of our denomination states: “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, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy.” The principles go on to say that there are tragic conflicts in life that may justify abortion and that the Church supports legal options.

Women’s Division directors prayerfully considered and dialogued about the issue before making their decision. Their vote responds to the United Methodist Book of Discipline mandate to “expand their health and wholeness public policy advocacy to include this critical issue of reproductive and end-of-life healthcare.”