This statement was issued publicly by two Presbyterian groups: Presbyterian Voices for Justice and the Feminist Agenda Network of Presbyterians in response to an ecumenical invitation by the Episcopal Women’s Caucus.
[August 30, 2012] The Feminist Agenda Network of Presbyterians and Presbyterian Voices for Justice, national social justice advocacy groups, are appalled by recent statements by Congressman Todd Akin regarding female reproduction and “legitimate rape.” We are aghast at the misinformation that speaks of “forcible rape” as something different from ordinary rape and asserts that, in a “legitimate rape,” a woman will not get pregnant, because her body has a way to “shut that whole thing down.”
We have worked tirelessly for years to raise awareness about women’s rights and promoted changes in laws to more actively prosecute rapists, strengthen jail sentences, and help victims of rape and sexual assault find help and hope. We now feel that we are back in the Dark Ages.
The Feminist Agenda Network of Presbyterians and Presbyterian Voices for Justice are committed to bringing about forward progress, reinforcing and increasing acts of justice for all women.
In solidarity with our Episcopalian sisters “we take a firm stand against any and all representatives, senators and other legislators who aim to limit the health care options any woman — particularly a raped and pregnant woman — has available to her.”
We also support the Rev. Harry Knox, president and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, when he writes:
“Congressman Akin misunderstands the Biblical meaning of the word ‘justice.’ He talks about bringing rapists to justice, but he apparently doesn’t realize that true justice requires that a woman who has been raped have every resource available to her as she rebuilds her life after trauma. One of those resources must be the option to end a pregnancy caused by her rapist.”
We call on all women and men of faith to write to their representatives, senators and other legislators to express their outrage and distress about the archaic ideology and deeply flawed theology that is the foundation of this political and anti-women position.
We actively work to promote the well-being of all people. Each woman should have the right to choose how to best care for herself, her whole self. Women are made in the image of God and that is sacred.
The Feminist Agenda Network of Presbyterians is a group committed to trusting all women as moral decision makers. Presbyterian Voices for Justice is a social justice advocacy group that has its roots in feminist theological visions of human equality.
Ann Hayman, Feminist Agenda Network, Southern California, alhayman@sprynet.com
Sylvia Thorson-Smith, Co-Moderator, Presbyterian Voices for Justice, Tucson, AZ sylviats@cox.net
Manley Olson, Co-Moderator, Presbyterian Voices for Justice, St. Paul, MN, manley.olson@gmail.com
