Dear Alliance Family,
Like many of you we have learned of the alarming news from the Politico leak that
Roe v Wade—the historic and essential law ensuring the protection of reproductive rights—will be overturned by the Supreme Court. This is truly a sad day for our country and devastating blow in the fight for justice. The Alliance has long maintained that bodily autonomy and equal access to the full range of reproductive health care services—including safe and legal abortion services—is an essential human right. Last year we agreed on a statement saying just that, which is linked here.
In light of the recent news, it is necessary that we re-share this statement and re-affirm our commitment to the principles highlighted in that statement. This statement affirms our theological belief that God is a God of justice and liberation who has special care for the most vulnerable and oppressed in our midst. We recognize that issues of reproductive health fall into this category because our society continues to undermine the ability of women and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to make decisions over their own bodies. As Baptists—people who believe in the historic freedom of conscience—we oppose this expected decision from the Supreme Court and the warped, dangerous, and violent Christian theology that undergirds it. We affirm and trust women and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals’ moral capacity to make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and the broader society. We name the issue of reproductive health as essential to our efforts to become antiracist because of the continued marginalization of black people in the arena of reproductive health. We again condemn this proposed decision in the strongest possible terms and commit ourselves to the ongoing movement and struggle to ensure that these rights continue to be preserved, protected and supported through as many different avenues as possible. We hold fast to the belief that the arc of the moral universe is long, and it will one day bend back towards justice even as we recognize that today is not that day.
Sincerely
Elijah R. Zehyoue
Co-director
Well said Elijah. Thank you.