TNM Speaks Out - A Clergy-person’s Opinion about the Overturning of Roe v Wade

I’ve Got Nothing (and Everything) to Say

Image taken on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 in front of the Supreme Court after a day of pro-choice protesting.

I am a pro-choice clergywoman. I am ordained in the United Methodist Church, and my faith (believe it or not) has helped me come to this conclusion about reproductive rights. My co-workers asked me to write a post that might help someone talk with a family member or neighbor that they disagree with. I’ve been sitting here trying to craft the perfect script for what a person of faith* could say to someone who is so absolute in what they believe and is “on the other side.” And the truth is I’ve got nothing to say.

Now, I say this not because I don’t have a lot to say. In fact, I have so much I want to say, and scream, and shout, because I am angry. But the sad reality is that no matter what I say, there are people of faith who can come to the exact opposite conclusion as me. When it comes to Scripture, there are competing and contradictory messages woven throughout our sacred text. If I want to defend the belief that women should be leaders in the church, there are Scriptures that say the opposite. If I want to defend a pacifist and nonviolent agenda, there are Scriptures that say the opposite. If I want to defend a woman’s right to choose, there are Scriptures that say the opposite. Sort of - but we will get into that later.** 

As a leader of faith, I have recognized how utterly futile it is to have conversations with people 1) who only want to argue, and 2) who see the Bible in a literalist way. For the former group, the conversation is futile because without humility, a commitment to listen, and a lot of time, you don’t actually see the imago dei, or the image of God, in the other. This is why the work of neighboring is so essential, because you don’t get to choose your neighbors. If we got a choice, we probably would surround ourselves with people who think and act just like us. The beauty of neighboring is we are connected, whether we like it or not. And when it comes to building trust and relationship with our neighbors, it is going to take a lot of humility, a lot of time, and a commitment to listen. 

For the latter group, I find that conversations are futile if you see the Bible in a literalist way because the Bible was never meant to be a medical, scientific, historic rule book for our world in the 21st century. The Bible is meant to be the container for God to be revealed through study, prayer, and community. If someone wants to talk with me and they see the Bible literally, my instinct is to end the conversation before it starts because you are essentially speaking another language with one another. 

**I told you we would get to it later. There are no references in Scripture to our modern day conversation about abortion. There just aren’t. But as people of faith, we are called to wrestle with Scripture so that our character, our heart, and our decisions might be aligned with the Spirit of God. We are called to engage in this labor of love so that we might come to a faithful conclusion two millenia later. And that doesn’t mean we will all agree. Christians are not homogenous in our thought and beliefs. 

But through my own labor of love with Scripture, through my own education, and through my own conversations with my community, I have come to the conclusion that the arc of our holy text bends towards love, justice, and inclusion for the marginalized. The overturning of Roe V Wade does not bend towards love, justice, and inclusion for the marginalized, because it disproportionately harms siblings of color, trans and nonbinary folks, disabled individuals, and the poor. For me, it is as simple as that. I know there are clergy people who will come to more nuanced opinions, or even polar opposite opinions as me. 

And because of this, that is why I have nothing to say. Because even with humility, time, a commitment to listen, and an open understanding of Scripture, there may not be an avenue for conversation with some people. There are some things that might be better left unsaid. For those with privilege and those who are feeling ready to have these difficult conversations, thank you. We need you. For those who are tired, you don’t owe people your story for your pain and anger to be valid. Rest and find safe places and safe people for as long as you need. 

But wherever you find yourself, there are avenues of change (though imperfect and flawed) that can be tapped into alongside conversations. States now are determining what their response to the overturning of Roe V Wade is. For our home state of Kansas, we have a vote coming on August 2nd that determines our access to reproductive rights. Register by July 12th at ksvotes.org and make a plan to vote. Not all states have this option, so another avenue of change would be to donate to local abortion clinics which can be found at abortionfunds.org. 

I’ll close this blog with a parting hope: May we all find it within ourselves to be humble, to slow down, and to listen to another. And for those who are grieving and for those who are tired, may you find rest with people who make the load lighter. 

* When I use the term “person of faith,” I am mostly speaking from the context of Christian faith. As a Christian clergyperson, my generalizations tend to be limited to the Christian faith, unless otherwise noted.