A Kid in a Theological Candy Store
My journey to pro-faith, pro-choice activism.
By Sarah E. Gillespie, George Washington University
Thursday May 18, 2006
Growing up, I was one of the only kids who sought out religion; in fact, I even made my parents go to church instead of the other way around. Most teenagers have to be dragged out of bed on a Sunday morning, but as soon as I could drive I was attending church (United Methodist) solo. As a young adult committed to my faith I was always interested in discovering and studying its idiosyncrasies. When entering college in the fall of 2002, I found myself reading the Bible nightly and shopping for churches and fellowships all around DC. It took me over a year to find my niche, but it was well worth the wait.
Young religious kids from all over America find themselves in similar situations to mine, navigating the transition from high school to college and attempting to keep their faith. My story gets interesting, however, when I decided to become a pro-faith, pro-choice activist. Before coming to college my political views were mostly unshaped, although I definitely had progressive leanings. Entering into the uber-political climate of The George Washington University certainly jumpstarted feelings I had about what was right and just in politics. Then I found myself wondering what role churches should take in declaring what is and isn’t just in society and government. I had never been to a church that talked about politics.
But I was part of a church that freshman year that had a lot to say about people in politics. Despite the fact that their congregation was mostly under 30, I found their views stifling and narrow, very un-Christ like in my mind. They preached to love your neighbor as yourself, as long as that love was not for anyone doing something controversial like being an advocate for the freedom of choice, gay marriage, or an end to the death penalty. Pretty much any current debate in America was off limits. Also, the affirmation of other religions being equally sacred in the eyes of God or a supreme being, was a statement this church considered blasphemy. Somehow these teachings did not seem consistent to me with the religion I loved. Thanks to the help of some very supportive people in my life I gathered the courage to leave this.
I then started attending Western Presbyterian Church in the fall of 2003 where I found myself absorbing politically enhanced sermons by the ear-full. My pastor spoke about the obligation Christians had to be involved in the political process, that as people of faith, it was unacceptable to witness the tragedies of the world without making steps towards improvement. Taught that God thoughtfully entrusted humans to engage in challenges, despite our feelings of inadequacy, I was encouraged to speak up about the issues that made me passionate. Like a kid in a theological candy store, I got to take all of what I believed and put it into action. For the first time I was surrounded by a group of people who were religious and progressive, something I had not yet found but desperately craved.
I sought out United Methodist connections in DC and found important leaders who encouraged me to participate in the United Methodist Student Movement. Attending two forums I was compelled to speak on behalf of the pro-faith, pro-choice movement and then wrote legislation on HIV/AIDS, comprehensive sex education, and reproductive choice to stir up discussion among young Methodists. I began to carve out my space as a faith-based advocate for choice. I began to find a few allies but unfortunately also a great number of enemies. Certain Methodist students have told me over and over again that I lack heart and have no place in the church. Luckily, I have learned to turn the other cheek.
In the spring of ‘04 I gathered with more than one million other pro-choice supporters at the March for Women’s Lives. It was there that I heard the Rev. Carlton Veazey speak about religion and choice. He captivated me with his words and his spirit when he spoke about an idea that’s time had come. He said, “The time has come for the religious people of this country to not only defend the constitutional right of women to choose but also to defend the religious freedom of all Americans. The time has come to proclaim with all our moral power that women’s rights are also civil rights and human rights.” This message inspired me to get more involved. A few months later I became an intern at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), where Rev. Veazey is the current President. An education and advocacy organization, the Religious Coalition offers many religiously infused viewpoints on reproductive choice and provides resources to communities who prayerfully decide that a woman’s right to choose is between her and her God.
Amidst these experiences I began to define what aspects of my faith made me pro-choice. For example, the social principles of the United Methodist Church, speak clearly not only on the sacredness of the life of woman and child, but the right of the woman to be a responsible, moral decision maker. Knowing that these principles, a major part of the UMC’s polity and law, stood behind choice empowered me to also stand for choice. And although I continue to struggle with many of the Bible’s messages, not once does it mention, let alone outlaw, abortion. The beginning of life is not fully articulated, whether God knows us before we are born, or breathes life into us after birth, (both are described in separate stories of the Old Testament). Once I realized that it was not my role to convey what God might think or do for others, I fully embraced the freedom of choice because of my faith, not in spite of it. Ultimately I believe that God gave everyone free will, hoping that we would always be thoughtful and responsible when using it.
Finally, as I prepare to end my nearly two year internship with RCRC’s student arm, Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom (SYRF), I will put the finishing touches on the organization’s second SYRF Student Summit (“Putting Faith into Action for Reproductive Justice”). The Summit will focus on religion, choice, and the interfaith movement. I cannot think of a better reaffirmation of my journey this past four years than to be an active part of this powerful gathering of young spiritual pro-choice students.
This country is in desperate need of other young people who share the vision of acting upon their faith, a faith that is full of love and respect for our fellow human beings. It is sad that most of the religious voices heard in society today represent only a small minority of narrow-minded believers who would rather live in a simple world with black and white morals, than a challenging, complex and diverse society. Thankfully voices like the Religious Coalition, Campus Progress, Tikkun, and more are making room for religious young people who don’t side with the right-wing. These groups, coupled with progressive church communities (and other faith groups), are making it known that young people are vital in building and sustaining a more just society.
To learn more about Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom and the upcoming Student Summit, visit www.syrf.org.
Sarah E. Gillespie is a senior at George Washington University and a Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom Intern.
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Absolutely wonderful article! Sarah, I can’t wait to see what you will do next!!
— Sue Williamson - May 18, 05:41 PM - #Sarah, wow. Your message is clear and important. Bravo.
— Emily Goldberger - May 18, 06:34 PM - #Mia Cara Figliocia – I am so proud…want to talk about all this together…you are extraordinary!
— Lucia Effros - May 18, 08:47 PM - #Baci, Madrina
We could really use your group’s perspective, compassion, and appreciation for complexity in South Dakota.
— Andrew - May 18, 09:46 PM - #Well done Sarah!
Not all Rebublicans are Right Wing. Not all Democrats aren’t.
— Scott Mease - May 18, 10:15 PM - #It’s wonderful that someone finally looks at the complexity of the relationship between faith and the pro-choice movement. As a liberal pro-choice Catholic, I’ve been told the same things about not having a place in the Church. In fact, I’m pretty sure people have sent me to the websites that the above commenter suggested. I’m glad that someone else recognizes the many dimensions of the abortion issue that need to be considered.
— maggie - May 19, 06:21 AM - #Sarah – empathy, intellectual drive, the desire to reach and communicate, and the courage to put it out there – Bravo! You will make a difference in this world.
— Linda Sullivan - May 19, 11:26 AM - #You’re a really great writer with a lot to say. I miss running into you randomly in E Street…. that used to make my day!
— Linda McG - May 19, 12:16 PM - #A
— Anne Kurlanski - May 19, 12:25 PM - #well written article-I wish I had had the guts to search out different churches when I was your age. I had to think one of the first churches you were talking about was the catholic church-it certainly sounded like it. I admire you for sticking to your guns even when your decisions were not popular. I am right behind you. All that you have said and all that you believe is so true. I admire you so! You certainly will make a difference in this world no matter what you decide to do. Keep it up.
Anne Kurlanski
Great article Sarah. I can’t wait to see where you are headed… keep me updated!
— Audrey Kruse - May 19, 08:48 PM - #Sarah, we are so lucky to work with you at RCRC! See you at the Summit!
Emily
— Emily Goodstein - May 20, 08:18 AM - #Thanks Sarah for your thoughtful article. Last summer I attended Foundry United Methodist Church in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, and it’s a wonderfully progresssive, inspirational congregation. Bill and Hillary Clinton used to worship there when Bill was president. Check it out!
— Mark - May 20, 09:17 PM - #Your title is so apt, as it denotes a spiritual child picking and choosing which parts of Christianity to adopt.
“Personal sanctification? I love it! More, more! What’s this? A requirement to judge those within the church? Ew. No, thank you.” A religious life is hard work, not some bizarre piety badge that you can choose to remove at any moment (the right to make moral choices doesn’t imply that your decision is correct, only that the blame—the substantial blame, in this case—is your own).
There’s a reason that the religious left and theologically unsound churches are in exile. Have you discovered it yet?
— Q - May 21, 01:33 AM - #Meg had me read your article and I was very impressed. Well thought out and articulate, intelligent and compassionate, much like you, I’m sure! God bless you!
— Nancy Malinowski - May 29, 07:43 PM - #HI Sarah,
— Kyle Brooks - Jun 1, 11:29 AM - #Well done. I admire your tenacity in your search and courage to give voice to what seems to be a minority opinion in this current political environment. SHS 1970!
How do you reconcile being pro-abortion and against the death penalty? They’re the same thing!
— Kieron Wood - Jul 7, 10:18 AM - #Sarah! That is an amazing article. I’ve already forwarded to many people. You are such a gift. Thank you for helping articulate so well how I feel!
— Dawson Taylor - Aug 8, 02:37 PM - #Thanks for the article. I hate it when anti-abortionists try and make it a religious debate and act like every pro-choice advocate is spiritualy depleated. Unitarian Universalists, Episcopalians, and Quakers are also often pro-choice (and progressive) supporters.
— ktallen - Aug 9, 11:08 AM - #Sarah, this is tremendous, so well written. You make excellent and very crucial points that lie at the heart of our society today – and its precarious future. BIG issues that I think you are well equipped to tackle! You’ve got what it takes to lead truly great change across our country. Our colleague, Kieron, of comment #16 misses the whole point, including your emphasis that: “Ultimately, I believe that God gave everyone free will, hoping that we would always be thoughtful and responsible when using it.” Sarah, keep up your life’s work. Righties want to talk about saving lives. YOU are beating them to it. You are a gift.
— Mark Wehling - Feb 14, 12:21 AM - #