Women of all different religions seek abortion. In the U.S., Catholic women have abortions at the same rate as other women, despite strict Catholic Church teaching against abortion. Fifteen percent of American women having abortions attend church once or more a week, while another 45 percent attend less frequently. Almost three-quarters of American women having abortions report a religious affiliation.
A number of religious organizations worldwide support a woman’s right to choose freely between continuing the pregnancy, adoption, or abortion. Abortion is not condemned in the sacred texts of most religions, and all religions have liberal streams of thought that support the right to abortion. For more information, see:
- Pro Choice Victoria (list of churches and denominations that support choice)
- Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
- Catholics for Choice
- Center for Reproductive Rights (“Religious Voices Worldwide Support Choice: Pro-Choice Perspectives in Five World Religions”)
- Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion in Ten World Religions, by Daniel C. McGuire (book)
Sources:
Guttmacher Institute – Induced Abortion in the U.S. (2017)