Her presentation, which focused on the need to change how we talk about abortion in the United States, comes on the heels of a series of abortion bans that have been passed in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio.
Professor of Religious Studies Toddie Peters presented on her book, "Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice" at the Planned Parenthood Faith Leaders Convening on May 21 in Washington, D.C.
Peters highlighted the importance of progressive religious voices in the public debate for three reasons. First, the dominant voices opposing abortion are traditionalist Christians promoting a narrow theological position that is not shared by all Christians. Second, 65 percent of women who have abortions claim a religious affiliation and so pregnancy, childbearing and abortion are important spiritual and moral issues for many people of faith. Third, with 45 percent of infants and toddlers in the country living in or near poverty and 75 percent of women who have abortions falling in the low-income/poverty range – childbearing and supporting healthy families is a justice issue for faith communities.
Faith leaders at the Convening went together to participate in the StopTheBans protest rally that was held in the afternoon at the Supreme Court.