30 ministers make Christian case for “No” vote on Value Them Both Amendment | Opinion
For far too long, conversation in this country has assumed that one segment of Christianity speaks for all Christians when it comes to social issues. This is perhaps most true when it comes to the abortion debate, a question Kansans are grappling with as we approach the vote on Aug. 2 to amend the Kansas Constitution to remove protection for a person’s right to choose. But for one side to claim the Christian approach to abortion is misleading. This letter outlines a faithful approach to a “NO” vote.
First, we believe in the separation of church and state. As students of religious history, we recognize immense harm has been done in the world when the church aligns itself too closely with government. Political power corrupts, and this is especially dangerous in the case of the church as it claims to be the Divine’s representation on earth. The Crusades. The Inquisition. The religious wars fought during and after the reformations. Colonization. Slavery. All these atrocities, and more, have happened when the church sold its soul for political power and abandoned its call to care for the marginalized. A rigid anti-abortion stance based on religion should not be codified into law as it breaches the sacred space between church and state.
Secondly, there is no clear scriptural mandate for or against abortion. It is curious that many who advocate for a literal reading of the Bible take such a hardline approach to abortion when Scripture does not address it directly. The one exception could be Numbers 5, a passage where God gives instructions for a procedure that could be abortion, but its meaning is ambiguous. However, Scripture does address the question of “when does life begin?” in Genesis 2:7, when the creation of human beings is described: “then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Breath is equated to life in numerous places throughout the Bible, offering no support to the idea that life begins at conception.
Perhaps more central to the abortion debate is Scripture’s reverence for the life of the woman over and beyond the fetus she carries. In Exodus 21, scripture designates the punishment for causing a miscarriage as a monetary fine. However, the punishment for killing a woman is death. It should be noted we are not advocating for capital punishment, as generally speaking, we are not biblical literalists. Scripture values women and fetuses differently, also demonstrated through Jesus’ actions and teachings. Jesus protects women, heals women, converses with women, and teaches women. Jesus values women. Jesus trusts women. Not once does Jesus attempt to control women. Given that, why would Jesus followers think that controlling women is appropriate? Jesus’ love for women is clear, but what remains unaddressed is his concern for the unborn. The Gospels are silent on this matter.
Lastly, we are concerned that removing constitutional protection for a person’s right to an abortion will disproportionately affect those with an unequal access to health care, including those living in poverty, communities of color, and our trans and nonbinary siblings. People who are wealthy enough to travel will always have access to safe abortions, it is those who cannot afford airfare or a bus ticket who will be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term or resort to unsafe, self-induced abortions. This unequal access to healthcare is a social justice issue and violates Scripture’s mandate to care for the marginalized among us.
We recognize the nuance of abortion and understand the grief of losing a potential human life. Therefore, we support measures that work to prevent unwanted pregnancies including comprehensive sex education, free and easy access to contraception, dismantling systems of patriarchy to reduce instances of rape and incest, and open conversation about sex. We do not support measures aimed at controlling people, especially not when it is being done in the name of the faith we claim.
Jesus trusted those on the margins — women, the poor, folks of color — and we do too.
Signed and affirmed by:
Rev. Maria Penrod, Youth Pastor at Aldersgate UMC
Pastor Valecia Scribner, Pastor at Woodland UMC
Bryce Fuhrmann, Youth Ministries Director at Woodlawn UMC
Rev. Bev Baumgartner, Associate Pastor at West Heights UMC
Rev. Dr. Trudy Kenyon Anderson, Senior Pastor at West Heights UMC
Rev. Kara Eidson, Pastor in the United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Russell Anderson, Lead Pastor at Mulvane UMC
Rev. Jackie Carter, Senior Pastor at Table of Hope MCC
The Reverend Dr. Christine Gilson, Priest at St. John’s Episcopal Church
Father Dillon Green, Curate for St. James and St. John’s Episcopal Churches
Rev. Elizabeth Evans, Deacon in the United Methodist Church
Rev. Daniel Reffner, Associate Pastor at Aldersgate UMC
Rev. Allison Marcus, Chaplain at Saint Luke’s Hospital
Rev. Gary Brooks, Pastor at Aldersgate UMC
Rev. Jeanne Koontz, Associate Pastor at McPherson First UMC
Rev. Kent H Little, Senior Pastor at First Hutchinson UMC
Rev. Maddie Johnson, Faith-Based Organizer at the Neighboring Movement
Rev. Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson, Director of Outreach at Calvary UMC
Rev. Adam Barlow-Thompson, Executive Director at the Neighboring Movement
Rev. Jill Sander-Chali, Senior Pastor at College Hill UMC
Rev. Stephanie L. Seth, Chaplain
Rev. Dr. Gary Blaine, Minister at Highland Trinity UCC
Rev. Dr. Karen L Robu, Associate Minister at Plymouth Congregational Church
Rev. Jerre W. Nolte, Ordained Elder in the Great Plains United Methodist Conference
Rev. Dr. Robin McGonigle, Senior Minister at University Congregational
Rev. Amanda L Baker, Pastor at Baldwin First UMC
Rev. Dr. Donald P. Olsen, Senior Minister at Plymouth Church
Rev. Christina Manero, Lead Pastor at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church
Rev. Jo Mean, Pastor at University UMC
Pastor Brenda Hogan, Pastor in the United Methodist Church
Pastor Ginny Atkison-Hall, Pastor in the Great Plains United Methodist Conference
