Background:
The first reference to abortion in official proceedings of the General Conference came in 1968, when a study document titled "Church and Family" was adopted. This did not have the force of a pronouncement by the denomination but indicated the direction in which the church was moving.
The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church first dealt with abortion in 1972. Found in the Book of Discipline, the Social Principles are a "prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation as historically demonstrated in United Methodist traditions." The principles are “a call to faithfulness and are intended to be instructive and persuasive in the best of the prophetic spirit; however, they are not church law. The Social Principles are a call to all members of The United Methodist Church to a prayerful, studied dialogue of faith and practice.” They represent the mind of the General Conference on social issues. The General Conference amended the 1972 statement on abortion in 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. [more]
Where the UMC Stands:
From the Book of Discipline, The Social Principles (2004)
Abortion
The beginning of life and the ending of life are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While individuals have always had some degree of control over when they would die, they now have the awesome power to determine when and even whether new individuals will be born. [more]
Ministry to Those Who Have Experienced an Abortion
We urge local pastors to become informed about the symptoms and behaviors associated with post-abortion stress. We further encourage local churches to make available contact information for counseling agencies that offer programs to address post-abortion stress for all seeking help. [more]
Right to Health Care
We affirm the right of men and women to have access to comprehensive reproductive health/family planning information and services which will serve as a means to prevent unplanned pregnancies, reduce abortions and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. [more]
From the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church (2004)
Responsible Parenthood
We affirm the principle of responsible parenthood. The family, in its varying forms, constitutes the primary focus of love, acceptance, and nurture, bringing fulfillment to parents and child. Healthful and whole personhood develops as one is loved, responds to love, and in that relationship comes to wholeness as a child of God. [more]
Healing of Post-Abortion Stress
WHEREAS, we recognize that there is a legal right to an abortion, we also recognize that some regret that event later in life, … [more]
Support for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church was a founding member of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in 1973, and … [more]
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