Cowboy Jesus Shares His Thoughts On Abortion, Woman's Rights and Row v. Wade

 

There is nothing worse than seeing one of your sacred values being destroyed by culture and religion. Something that I believe so strongly in, that I’ve worked for, that I’ve coached other people, is now being undermined, eroded, and ultimately destroyed. For me over turning Roe v. Wade and abortion rights is destruction of one of my core values. 

I grew up in the era of woman’s rights. In my early adult life I was involved in passing the Equal Rights Amendment that would have guaranteed the rights of women as equal members of our society with all of the rights and privileges that men enjoy. When my wife and I decided to hyphenate our last names together it was a reflection of our values of men and women coming together equally especially in marriage. As part and partial to my commitment to equal rights was a commitment to abortion rights. 

 Roe v. Wade at my high school in San Diego was a freedom and a rite that even we could participate in. At my Christian college it was hotly debated in ethics classes as something opposing the teachings of Jesus. Yet, many woman were quietly having abortions off campus. Even though it was illegal to have sex on campus, these young christians were very sexually active, many not using birth control. At San Francisco Theological Seminary where I earned my M.Div. it was an issue that was talked about in theology, biblical studies, and pastoral counseling. The difference between college and seminary was night and day. We were taught at SFTS that abortion was an integral right of a woman to determine their own reproductive issues. Woman had the constitution rights to make decisions regarding their own bodies. 

I’ll never forget when my Old and New Testament professors unpacked the scriptures showing us that the Bible is basically silent on the issue of abortion. When evangelicals point to the bible as a way of making their arguments for pro life, they’re twisting the bible for their own ends. Jesus talks about love - loving God and loving one another. The rest is interpretation and ethics. 

I left SFTS with a firm commitment to Equal Rights for Women and therefore abortion rights as well. 

When I entered the ministry in 1984 one of the first things I did was join the religious coalition for abortion rights. I wanted to be a clergy that stood for the rights of women. I taught about it, I preached about it, I counseled woman on it. I felt called to make equal rights and abortion rights a significant part of my ministry and the ministry of Columbine United Church. 

I worked with Planned Parent Hood in Denver. I had Planned Parent Hood come to my youth groups to teach safe sexual practices and birth control. I’ll never forget when one Sunday in the early 90’s I had invited Planned Parent Hood to come and participate in a worship service and give and adult education talk. I was surprised when I drove up to church and found a huge crowd of people picketing the front of the church. 

For me, the abortion issue is far more than just a medical procedure, it’s a reflection of a woman’s rights to determine what is appropriate for their own bodies. I do not believe men should be determining legally what a woman can and cannot do with their bodies. From a religious perspective I find it interesting that in the evangelical/catholic church woman take a far back seat to men. Woman are not allowed to be ordained, preach, serve in leadership positions where they have superiority over men - all in the name of God. Woman do not have equal rights in these churches. It’s not a far jump for them to make decisions for women about sexual practices, birth control, and abortion. 

I understand that the Right to Life people feel as though I’ve been trampling on what they believe is sacred. They feel as though I’m a baby killer. I’ve been called that on several occasions. 

I just wish if they really believe in the Right to Life they would carry this through to other places in our culture where life is being destroyed. I think of the death penalty that is contrary to every thing they say about the right of life. When do they advocate for the rights of those condemned to die. 

I’ve come to a place in my life where I’m willing to compromise. I’ve asked myself at what point does a baby inutero have rights of their own? After talking and having dialogue with medical providers  I’ve determined that an infant is viable to survive at some point around 24 weeks gestation. If we want to say a baby has rights into themselves I would say it’s somewhere around 24 weeks. I’m willing to concede that if we want to make a demarcation and prohibit abortion I would say it’s right there. 

However, I’m a male. I can argue theology and ethics about abortion, but I still fall down on the side that it’s a woman’s body, and a woman should be able to determine if and when they should have an abortion. 

In a perfect world we wouldn’t need abortion. There would be adequate social nets in place for all woman to have all the financial, moral, and spiritual support to ensure that all children and woman would be cared for. Woman would have full support from men for their medical, sexual and reproductive issues. Woman would have an equal place in our religious culture where they can speak, lead, and teach the most sacred tenets of our faith. In short, woman would have equal rights as men. Unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world. Many woman and children live in poverty and lack any support to raise their children. These woman should have the right to determine for themselves what is right for their bodies and their potential children. 

I also believe in dialogue. while I have my strong opinions, I also believe people need to make their own decisions and church’s should foster this dialogue. I find it interesting that the adult education committee at Columbine worked to set up a dialogue between Planned Parenthood and the Right to Life proponents. Planned Parenthood was very committed. However, we couldn’t find one member of the Right to Life people to join in the conversation. 

The over turning of Roe v. Wade is a huge undercut to woman’s rights. I strongly oppose it on theological, ethical, and moral grounds. 

I firmly believe woman have the right to determine on their own what is right for their lives and their bodies. We can talk at 24 weeks gestation, but even then, I believe it’s a woman’s decision and we should do everything in our society and religious organizations to see to it that woman are supported.