Banning Abortion Drugs is an Attack on Women’s Inherent Dignity

Last updated on: April 21, 2023 at 4:36 pm by Andrew Lang

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Banning Abortion Drugs is an Attack on Women’s Inherent Dignity 2023-04-21T16:36:53-07:00 Andrew Lang

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Ending Access to Abortion is an Attack on Women

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While the Supreme Court chose today to preserve women’s access to mifepristone for a bit longer – the right-wing will continue these attacks on the autonomy and inherent dignity of women.

Core to my spirituality is the belief that everyone has inherent dignity – that it is in our bones, the very essence of who we are.

For me, this is part of what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God. And part of having inherent dignity is that we also have autonomy. By having inherent dignity, it means that I have some sense of control over my own life that nobody else can take away.

And that by you having inherent dignity, it means that I get to honor you, without ever attempting to dehumanize or take away your dignity, your autonomy, your ability to make personal decisions for your health, your ability to exist and live a life you want to live.

Ending Abortion Access Is An Attack on Women’s Inherent Dignity

The fact is, abortions happen regardless of legality. From 2010 to 2014, the number of abortions in countries where it was illegal mirrored the number of abortions in countries where it wasn’t. In both cases, there were roughly 35 abortions per 1,000 women. (Source: Abortion Worldwide 2017, WHO)

When a government and community restricts access to abortion, whether it is in-clinic abortion or medication-based, women’s lives are put at risk. As abortions become harder and harder to attain, women are put in harm’s way through being forced to carry a baby to term when it is unsafe for them to do so, having to turn to unsafe underground abortion procedures, or the emotional harm of having to carry a baby born from rape or incest, just to name a few.

The World Health Organization reports that 23,000 women die each year from unsafe abortions. And another study shows that by making abortion illegal in the United States, there will likely be a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths, a number which is far worse for Black women, in addition to the harm and deaths caused by unsafe abortions.

Ending abortion access removes a pregnant woman’s autonomy, places them in direct harm, and is therefore an attack on all of women’s inherent dignity.

The most recent attack in the United States on drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol make it clear: this is not about safety. This is not about a mother’s health or “the children” – this is about who has power and who does not.

While the Supreme Court chose today to preserve women’s access to these drugs for a bit longer – the right-wing will continue these attacks on autonomy and the inherent dignity of women.

Spirituality Without Action Means Nothing

Beginning a decade ago and accelerating with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortion access is being restricted across the country. It is not unlikely that it will be banned in the near future across the entirety of our country.

Which means more women, especially women of color, are going to die.

Following the end of Roe, many pastors, especially on the progressive side, called for a “spiritual response.” This is good and fine. But more important than a “spiritual response” is a material and activist response rooted in the foundations of one’s spirituality.

Lament and prayers have their place, but without action, spirituality is stuck in the personal sphere, disconnected from the inherent dignity of everyone in the world. This is why, despite the phrase’s overuse, silence is violence.

Here are some on-the-ground organizations, mostly in the South, you can support that work hands-on to affirm women’s inherent dignity and support them having access to the medical care they need. Give what you can and get active in the ways that you can – even if they stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

E**specially if they stretch you beyond your comfort zone.

Have trouble squaring this with your religious or spiritual beliefs?

Read this article from Jacqui Lewis.

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About Andrew Lang

Andrew Lang is an educator in the Pacific Northwest, an alumnus of Richard Rohr’s Living School for Action and Contemplation, and author of Unmasking the Inner Critic: Lessons for Living an Unconstricted Life. Along with writing regularly, he facilitates workshops helping people to navigate their inner lives and explore their sense of identity and spirituality. You can find more of his writings and offerings at www.AndrewGLang.com. You can read more about the author here.

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