In the wake of the November 27, 2015 Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs, the findings of a survey released by LifeWay, a Christian research group, reveal some interesting facts about a seemingly hidden culture within the Christian community.
The survey explored the true relationship of religion and abortion and was co-sponsored by the pregnancy support organization Care Net. These are some of their findings.
70 percent of the women they surveyed considered themselves Christians.
Over 50 percent of the surveyed women who attend church regularly have kept their abortions secret from their church community.
40 percent of women surveyed feel that churches are not equipped to help them make decisions about unwanted pregnancies.
Within these surprising findings lies an unsettling symptom of anti-abortion culture, which often shames women who terminate pregnancies. According to the research, roughly a third of women (regardless of their religious beliefs) cite the father of the unborn baby as the most influential person in their decision to have an abortion.
Many agree that the survey’s results are particularly damning of church culture, which fails to find the proper guidance for women facing such a difficult time.
Roughly two thirds of the women surveyed agree that their pastor’s teachings on forgiveness do not apply to women who’ve had abortions. Over half of women believe that their church is out-of-touch when it comes to helping them understand their options when facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Regardless of the choices the women in these communities make, they face judgment on all sides, and have to choose between secrecy and being ostracized, in which no ‘right’ decision can be made. This could be a reason why over half of women who regularly attend church keep their past a secret.
Baruch_S on May 6th, 2018 at 04:27 UTC »
I’m really surprised how few women—even fairly religious women—thought that they would find help or support in their church. Seems like churches are really dropping the ball if people don’t feel comfortable being vulnerable and seeking help in a church setting. What’s the point of a church if people who feel lost or broken or in need of help don’t feel like they can admit it in a church setting? Church is just a self-righteous circlejerk at that point; it’s not serving those in need.
--Noelle-- on May 6th, 2018 at 03:56 UTC »
My roommate just today posted an article on Facebook with the caption “YESSS” in regards to the new Iowa law.
Yet...2 months ago she said she would throw herself down the stairs if her one night stand got her pregnant...
Bourbonchild on May 6th, 2018 at 02:06 UTC »
In general, the more sex education, availability of birth control and openness about women’s reproductive health, the fewer unplanned pregnancies and fewer abortions.
Truly pro-life advocates should be putting bowls of condoms and birth control pills in the pews with lectures on safe sex.