(Fwd) [jwl] National Poll on Religion and Choice

[J. Halász Judit]

From:                   jwl at egroups.com
Subject:                [jwl] National Poll on Religion and Choice

[SUMMARY
    Consistent with other public polls over the last decade, this research
found that the American public thinks abortion decisions should be left to
individuals.

    More than three-fourths of those surveyed agree with the statements
that abortion is a personal decision "better left in the hands of a woman,
her doctor, her family and her God," and that "each woman must make the
decision for herself in keeping with her sense of faith and her values"

MAJOR FINDINGS
•  American support sexuality education.
    Majority of every demographic, political and geographic subgroup favor
    requiring schools to teach sexuality education, including 59% of
    anti-choice voters, 73% of Catholics, 37% of Baptists, and 67% of
fundamentalists and evangelicals.

•  Religion has a major impact on attitudes about reproductive choice.
    Strong majorities say their church and religion play a role in their
    day-to-day and major life decisions.  Despite these strong religious
    attachments, should a conflict arise, more than half say they would
    follow their own personal beliefs over the teachings of their church
    or synagogue.

•  Large majorities strongly agree with pro-choice positions supported
    by the Religious Coalition:
    -- a person can be both religious and pro-choice (78% agree);
    -- a woman who has had an abortion can still be a good "Christian;"
    -- a person must follow her own faith, personal beliefs, and
        conscience in a matter like abortion (80%).

•  Across religious lines, people agreed a woman's right to choose should
    be protected.  Even if they would not choose to have an abortion
    themselves, a third of anti-choice voters are still willing to protect
    the rights of other women.

Note:  The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice has been the voice
of pro-choice people of faith since 1973.  Founded by mainstream clergy
and lay leaders, the coalition comprises major denominations and faith
traditions with official pro-choice positions--including the Episcopal
Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, United
Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Reform,
Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements of Judaism.  The
grassroots network includes 22 state affiliates and the national
Clergy for Choice Network.
For further information, contact
Reverend Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO or
Marjorie Signer, Communications Director
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
(202) 628-7700, ext. 208, or
email:  msigner at rcrc.org