Once again, some clergy are hanging out with Planned Parenthood, united for a cause that surely opposes God’s cause for life.
Held at Evergreen Presbyterian Church (PC-USA, a supporter of abortion) in Memphis , TN, the event opposing the upcoming ballot Amendment 1, a pro-life amendment, was attended by varying clergy who argue that women should have the choice to kill.
In fact, Amendment 1 is rather innocuous, saying only this:
“Shall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:
“Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.”
But somehow this is offensive to a variety of Tennessee clergy, including about 40 who joined a Democratic politician and Planned Parenthood of Greater Memphis to say this amendment is opposing the rights of people to, essentially, choose death.
One minister even said opposing the amendment was part of her faith. Rev. Rosalyn Nichols, of Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church, told The Commercial Appeal “one of the reasons she opposes the amendment is that she believes every woman knows what is best for her body without the influence of politicians.” She said:
“It is not counter to my faith that I stand against Amendment One. It is because of my faith…. I urge every woman and every man who loves a woman and every woman who loves a woman to vote against Amendment One and take as many people as you can to do the same.”
A local rabbi said the amendment wasn’t about life but politicians making decisions for women.
The problem with the reasoning of these folks is that the actual text of the amendment simply says that the right to kill a baby is not an inherent right and that the state has no obligation to fund abortion. In fact, the amendment simply responds to a 2000 ruling that struck down three laws: “a 48-hour waiting period, informed consent by the mother, and a requirement that second-trimester abortions be performed in hospitals as opposed to clinics.”
In Planned Parenthood v. Sundquist, the Tennessee state Supreme Court “found that the Tennessee Constitution contains a stronger right to privacy and abortion than the U.S. Constitution and that the restrictions lawmakers had previously imposed violated those rights.” At the time that Amendment 1 was being proposed, Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, who co-sponsored the bill, said “”It is meant to neutralize the 2000 Supreme Court decision.”
And some clergy in Tennessee don’t want that. While many ministers across the state have stood up in support of Amendment 1, this group took to a church in Tennessee to join with Planned Parenthood and oppose it, essentially saying a woman’s right to kill is greater than God’s right to ordain life.
Tennessee voters will vote on the amendment Nov. 4.
