We, the members of the Women’s Alliances of First Unitarian Church of Dallas, Texas, unite to affirm our position regarding the right to abortion, since the Supreme Court has ruled that this is no longer a right guaranteed to all women under the United States Constitution. We believe this ruling will disproportionately and adversely affect women in states like Texas who lack economic means to obtain the necessary services.
In 1970, the members of the Women’s Alliance of the First Unitarian Church voted unanimously to file an amicus curiae brief in support of the Roe v. Wade lawsuit, which was initiated through efforts of the Alliance after a long and careful study of the issues surrounding abortion. Now, the Alliance reiterates its stand on reproductive justice, reproductive rights, and reproductive freedom. With open minds, helping hands, and loving hearts, we work toward reproductive justice, and commit to replacing insecurity with safety, fear with acceptance, judgment with love, and shame with compassion.
Abortion is a matter of religious freedom: The question of when human life begins is a matter of belief, not scientific certainty. While some religions believe life begins at conception, others believe that life begins at first breath. Personal beliefs may vary between these extremes. No state should force a woman to action based on religious beliefs that she does not herself profess.
Abortion is a matter of equal rights. Bans and limits on abortion access affect women of color and those already living in strained economic conditions unequally. Inability to obtain a needed abortion often leads to lost educational and economic opportunities, contributing to sweeping levels of poverty in the United States.
Abortion is a human right: Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights United Nations’ states: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.” To force a woman to continue a pregnancy against her will is clearly interference with her privacy, family and home.
Abortion is health care: No pregnancy is entirely risk free and the risk can be significant for some women. And not every woman is able, for many reasons, to adequately care for a child. A woman who is not physically, emotionally, or financially able to successfully complete a pregnancy and support a child should have access to legal, safe means of terminating her pregnancy.
Signed: Women’s Day Alliance and Women’s Evening Alliance of First Unitarian Church of Dallas