African American Christians Take Strong Position Against Abortion
Many churches have fundamentalist beliefs that oppose taking a life
People think of African Americans as liberal because they vote for the Democratic
Party. But many have different views on social issues and for the most part are
against abortion and gay marriage.
In March a Pastor Walter Hoyle, received a $1,000 fine, 30 days in jail (although in
the future pro-lifers can be actually be put in jail for up to two years) and 3 years'
probation for violating the law that requires that people stay 100 yards away from
abortion clinics when making protests. He told an Alameda Superior Judge Hing that
he would not comply the requirement. He had been passing out anti-abortion
literature and carrying a sign that said, “Jesus loves you and your baby. Let us help
you.”
Hoye joins a number of African Americans who have protested against abortion. He
protests that he has rights under the First Amendment and is considering a legal
challenge. The law about the distance from the abortion clinic was put in place
because of the number of threats that had been received and because abortion
antagonists had taken aggressive stances by blocking entrances into clinics.
There is an African-American Alliance that reflects the views like Hoye expresses. It
is a small, religious organization which states its mission as one to “ preach against
abortion, sexual promiscuity and illicit moral activities." Although most African
members do not show themselves actively on picket lines, many don’t believe in
abortion nonetheless. They remain active in their church groups who take positions
based upon religious doctrine, reinforced by their pastors, as demonstrated by Hoyle,
who is now being cited by religious leaders as an example of leadership in this area.
Despite the fact that African American women constitute 35% of women who have
abortions, the belief in the community runs against abortion in many churches.
Since many African Americans belong to fundamentalist churches, the anti-abortion
sentiment remains strong in that group. This is similar to white churches, so it is a
matter of faith and beliefs as opposed to race.
In 2008 Day Gardner, the head of the National Black Pro-Life Union, said that had Dr.
Martin Luther King have lived he would have been against abortion and championed
life. Gardner said, "I believe if Dr. King were alive today, he would not rest until
every unborn child was granted his or her basic right to life.
Matters of faith are important to African Americans, and in spite of their liberal
politics, many do take a stand that is different from Democrats on some issues of
faith. Abortion is one of those issues, and although they don’t stand out on the
protest lines, they are seen in church praying and talking against it and counseling
their daughters not to have abortions, in spite of the fact that they constitute the
majority of those having them. So perhaps Democrats can’t take the group for
granted on all the hot button topics. It may be they are just quiet, but they have
their views for sure.
Many churches have fundamentalist beliefs that oppose taking a life
People think of African Americans as liberal because they vote for the Democratic
Party. But many have different views on social issues and for the most part are
against abortion and gay marriage.
In March a Pastor Walter Hoyle, received a $1,000 fine, 30 days in jail (although in
the future pro-lifers can be actually be put in jail for up to two years) and 3 years'
probation for violating the law that requires that people stay 100 yards away from
abortion clinics when making protests. He told an Alameda Superior Judge Hing that
he would not comply the requirement. He had been passing out anti-abortion
literature and carrying a sign that said, “Jesus loves you and your baby. Let us help
you.”
Hoye joins a number of African Americans who have protested against abortion. He
protests that he has rights under the First Amendment and is considering a legal
challenge. The law about the distance from the abortion clinic was put in place
because of the number of threats that had been received and because abortion
antagonists had taken aggressive stances by blocking entrances into clinics.
There is an African-American Alliance that reflects the views like Hoye expresses. It
is a small, religious organization which states its mission as one to “ preach against
abortion, sexual promiscuity and illicit moral activities." Although most African
members do not show themselves actively on picket lines, many don’t believe in
abortion nonetheless. They remain active in their church groups who take positions
based upon religious doctrine, reinforced by their pastors, as demonstrated by Hoyle,
who is now being cited by religious leaders as an example of leadership in this area.
Despite the fact that African American women constitute 35% of women who have
abortions, the belief in the community runs against abortion in many churches.
Since many African Americans belong to fundamentalist churches, the anti-abortion
sentiment remains strong in that group. This is similar to white churches, so it is a
matter of faith and beliefs as opposed to race.
In 2008 Day Gardner, the head of the National Black Pro-Life Union, said that had Dr.
Martin Luther King have lived he would have been against abortion and championed
life. Gardner said, "I believe if Dr. King were alive today, he would not rest until
every unborn child was granted his or her basic right to life.
Matters of faith are important to African Americans, and in spite of their liberal
politics, many do take a stand that is different from Democrats on some issues of
faith. Abortion is one of those issues, and although they don’t stand out on the
protest lines, they are seen in church praying and talking against it and counseling
their daughters not to have abortions, in spite of the fact that they constitute the
majority of those having them. So perhaps Democrats can’t take the group for
granted on all the hot button topics. It may be they are just quiet, but they have
their views for sure.
Lifestyles
August 16, 2006 edition