Sarah's Blog: Religion’s Influence on Abortion

Abortion has been a controversial issue for hundreds of years in America and around the world. People’s opinions have greatly been influenced by the morality of abortion based on their personal religious views. With 87% of Americans identifying themselves as being religious, it is hard, if not impossible, to disallow those religious views from being reflected in public policy. Religion has had a major influence on the policies surrounding abortion in America, as shown by differing requirements in states, based on the amount of religious influence in particular states. There is also evidence that shows why the violence and harassment of abortion clinics have steadily declined since Roe v. Wade.

The main argument that most pro-life activists use is that the Bible says, “you shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). From this quote and many others, they derive the belief that abortion is murder, and therefore wrong. However, how does one know when a fetus has a soul, and at what point does a fetus become a person? Pro-choice activists are often either less religious or not religious at all. They believe that the constitution gives a woman the right to privacy regarding medical matters including family planning (fwhc.org). Abortion became legal in America in 1973after the Supreme Court voted 7 to 2 in the case of Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court found that, “State criminal abortion laws, like those involved here…Violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects against state action the right to privacy.” (religioustolerance.org). Since early 2005, many people believe if the legal case concerning abortion was taken back to the Supreme Court today, it would result in a 5 to 4 vote in favor of retaining Roe v. Wade (religioustolerance.org) due to the appointment of two new conservative and religious judges. However, that does not mean that almost half of Americans believe abortion should be outlawed and Roe v. Wade should be reversed.

In November of 1991, the state of Washington passed Initiative 120, which states that if Roe v. Wade was ever overturned, then Washington would continue their same laws and regulations on abortion. So far, Washington is the only state to take pre-emptive actions such as these. Washington has the largest percentage of people that are unaffiliated with a religion, with the number standing at 25% of their population (religioustolerance.org). Also, Washington is one of only five states that, in the case of a minor, does not require notification or consent from one or both of the parents. Also, mandatory counseling and a mandatory waiting period are not required, as opposed to Texas and Louisiana, where you must talk to a counselor and wait at least 24 hours before having an abortion. Washington is a wonderful example of a state that has a smaller religious influence than most other states and has more pro-choice and liberal policies toward abortion.

“Southerners and mid-westerners are more likely to believe abortion should not be permitted, while those in the west and northeast are more likely to think it should be generally available” says a 2003 poll by CBS News. This is because the “Bible Belt,” or the southern and mid-western states of America, have traditionally had more Christians than the rest of the country. In the southern region of the country, 33% of the populace believe abortion should be available, and 25% believe it should not. In the mid-western region of America 34% thought abortion should be available, and 25% thought abortion should not. However, in the western region, the number increase to 43% that support abortion, and only 16% believe abortion should not be permitted. The northeast area of the country also increased to 48% in the amount of people that believe that abortion should be available, and only 19% think it should be outlawed according to a CBS News poll.

The level of violence and harassments at abortion clinics has declined overall from the years of 1989 to 2004 according to Religious Tolerance.org. They show that the number of blockades has gone from 201 in 1989 to only 4 in 2004, and the number of murder attempts and the successful murders of abortion doctors have gone down from 12 in 1994 to 0 throughout 2001 to 2004. Studies have also shown that over time, the American generations have become less religious. For example, in people over 64, 47% considered themselves religious, and 7% considered themselves secular. As opposed to in younger people, ages 18 to 34, only 27% considered themselves religious, and 14% considered themselves secular (religioustolerance.org). This drop in religious influence over the years has contributed to the drop in religious extremist behavior in America.

Abortion is a very controversial issue that has been greatly influenced by religion in America. The difference in policy on abortion between various states and regions of the country are directly correlated to the amount of religious influence and activism each of them has. Also, over the years, American generations have become more tolerant and less religious, which in turn has caused a decrease in the pro-life movement.

Work Cited

“Is Abortion Wrong?” Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. 1995

25 October 2007,

“Religious information in the U.S.: How American Adults View Themselves.” Religious Tolerance.org. 19 July 2007

24 October 2007,

“The Current Law on Abortion in WA State is Initiative 120 the Reproductive Privacy Act.” Feminist Women’s Health Center. 15 October 2007

24 October 2007, http://www.fwhc.org/abortion/120.htm

“Mandatory Delay and Biased Information Requirements.” Center for Representative Rights. 9 December 2005

24 October 2007 http://www.reproductiverights.org/pub_fac_manddelay1.html

“Poll: Strong Support For Abortion Rights.” CBS News. 22 January 2003

24 October 2007 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/22/opinion/polls/main537570.shtml

“Violence and Harassment at U.S. Abortion Clinics.” Religious Tolerance.org 16 September 2004