(RNS) At least two denominations say they are not seeking taxpayer funding of abortion as part of health care reform after an online newsletter erroneously reported that they were.
Lifenews.com reported -- and later retracted -- on Oct. 2 that several denominations were lobbying through the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing for taxpayer funding for abortion.
The Church of the Brethren and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) both sent out notices disputing the Lifenews.com report on churches seeking "a world where abortion is safe, legal, accessible and rare."
Lifenews.com later said that individual clergy members, not denominations, signed the letter. Still, denominational representatives felt the need to defend their views.
"The Religious Institute did issue an 'Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Abortion as a Moral Decision,' but this was not endorsed by any Church of the Brethren denominational leader either personally or on behalf of the denomination," a Church of the Brethren press notice said.
The church's notice also referenced the church's 25-year position on abortion that states "the Church of the Brethren opposes abortion because the rejection of unborn children violates the love by which God creates and nurtures human life."
The ELCA's Washington office, too, distanced itself from the Religious Institute letter, saying officials were working for a commitment that "health care reform will not be used to increase the opportunities for public funding of abortions."
The Lifenews.com article had said the open letter included support from American Baptist Churches USA, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. Officials at those offices said they were either unaware of the letter, or were unavailable for comment.
By Angela Abbamonte
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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""...Men don't always agree with that as some think they have a "right" to control women...""
If the woman in question is about to kill HIS baby (and it is just as much his as hers) then a man has every right to "control women".
Men have been and continue to be left out of a discussion that could not exist without them. A man has equal rights to say what happens to a baby - period.
The audacity of sexism.
Ultimately it is the woman, GC....and hopefully there would be discussion with the male involved, if indeed he gives a dam, and many or some don't want to accept the responsibility or even admit they are the sperm donor, but it is ultimately the woman's decision.....and there is NEVER a time when a man has the right to control a woman ...NEVER. (not even if she knows the sperm donor).
...you are more foolish than I believed.
And the word of the day, Ladies and Gentlemen, is FOOLISH! Run out of new words on the 30th of October, GC?
...."you are more foolish than I believed". GC
Wouldn't want to disappoint, GC. ;o) After all YOU would be the expert on foolishness. Have read enough to know an expert when I read what they have written.
BTW, GC, why does it bother you that women have the final say in an abortion decision? You failed to address that I said men NEVER have a right to control a woman...guess you agree, huh? Changed your mind, I guess. Good.
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