'Abortion is Murder.' Methodist Church Votes on New Direction with Life Stance
The United Methodist Church has flipped the coin when it comes to their stance on abortion, with a large number now deciding it is wrong. Delegates voted against supporting the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), (a pro-abortion organization), in a vote of 425-268, worldmag.com reports.
This decision enforces the General Board of Church and Society and the United Methodist Women to withdraw their membership immediately. The RCRC, a pro-abortion organization was established in 1973, with the help from the General Board of Church and Society.
The vote was in response to a petition for the United Methodists' membership to be taken out of the coalition, according to religionnews.com.
Rev. Beth Ann Cook from Indiana's Rockford United Methodist Church introduced the petition from the Church and Society Legislative committee saying, "Our United Methodist Church has a carefully nuanced official position on the difficult issue of abortion. It is not as strong as some of us would like nor as clearly pro-choice as others would like. This group is neither nuanced nor moderate."
The United Methodist Church reports on their website that, "the 2004, 2008, and 2012 General Conferences have debated staying in the organization, because some church members disagree with the coalition's position on abortion. The argument to stay is to have 'a voice at the table.'"
One of the UMC executives, Susan Burton said that women in their congregations were dying trying to give themselves abortions, according to umc.org, stating that is why the RCRC was created.
But delegate Rubenking did not agree.
"Abortion is murder. I don't want the name of my church or finances associated with RCRC," Rubenking said.
UMC Action Director and Elected General Conference Delegate John Lomperis said, "This is a necessary and good step towards affirming that the unborn are persons of sacred worth. This also shows the UMC moving away from other liberal, declining, 'mainline' denominations to embrace a new faithful, global identity."
