RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — On Monday, the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, dozens of faith leaders are in Raleigh demanding access to safe and legal abortions and squashing what they call misconceptions about faith and reproductive rights.
“It’s a misconception that the majority of Christian people are against abortion when exactly the opposite is true,” Jennifer Copeland, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, said.
Leaders took turns speaking on their own faiths and how religious texts and teachings affirm abortion rights.
“It’s the right of the woman to make her own moral decisions based on her own understanding of her own faith tradition,” Copeland said.
They say the decision should always be left to a pregnant person and not to a legislature or government and that the majority of religious organizations are in favor of legal abortion access. They say since the landmark decision was overturned, women haven’t been given the rights they’re entitled to.
“This is the thing of nightmares and of twisted science fiction, and this is the United States in 2024,” one speaker said.
Faith leaders say they have no choice but to be vocal for women who can’t speak for themselves.
“These women no longer have the option to make that good choice for themselves, so if we don’t come out here and stand up for those people whose rights are being eroded, then it will continue to be a silent death for women who can’t get access to healthcare,” Copeland said.
These faith leaders say conversations like this are especially important during an election year. They’re encouraging voters to educate themselves on what stances different candidates take on reproductive rights.
