Reproductive freedom and religious freedom are intertwined. To have religious freedom you must be free to make your own decisions about your own body based on your own beliefs. That’s why religious freedom demands the right to abortion, birth control, fertility care and other reproductive health care.
Abortion bans and restrictions on contraception and in vitro fertilization violate our country’s promise of church-state separation because they impose one narrow religious view about conception and reproduction on everyone.
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Christian Nationalists and their lawmaker allies have been misusing religious freedom to reshape reproductive law and divide our nation for decades. They openly cite religious scripture or personal beliefs as support for anti-abortion legislation and they work with powerful Christian Nationalist organizations to codify their beliefs into law.
Today’s anti-abortion movement was initially created to unite religious conservatives against civil rights, feminism, and the new sexual-freedom movement that was reshaping American society in the 1970s and ‘80s. Plus, blocking access to reproductive health care is a powerful way to control economic and social status. Restricting people’s reproductive freedom impacts not only their health but also their financial stability, workplace opportunities, educational attainment, and overall social mobility. And the implications of these restrictions for people of color are more severe due to systemic racism, economic disparities and health care inequities.
“True religious liberty is the freedom of thought, conscience and worship … But in the hands of Christian nationalists the term ‘religious liberty’ has come to mean its opposite – it has become an Orwellian term that means religious privilege.” – Katherine Stewart
This is why Americans United defends reproductive freedom and the freedom for everyone to make their own personal medical decisions about their own bodies. We oppose religious extremists who want to use the law and the courts to impose their narrow views on everyone. We fight in the legislatures, courts, and public forums because using religion as a license to harm others threatens all of our freedoms and widens inequality in our country.
Our nation promises everyone the freedom to believe as they want, but our laws cannot allow anyone to use their religious beliefs to harm others.
That’s why Americans United brings together people of all religions and none to fight in the courts, legislatures, and the public square for freedom without favor and equality without exception.
When you join the Action Network, you will be notified of actions you can take in your community to protect church-state separation. These actions can include legislative and legal advocacy, outreach opportunities, invitations to attend special meetings, briefings, and training sessions. AU also provides virtual opportunities to hone your skills as an advocate.
You’ll receive 6-12 messages per year. Just look for [AU-AN] in the subject line and take the actions that are right for you!
