Can Anyone Explain the Episcopal View on Abortion?

jinc1019 · #1 Apr 25, '12, 6:49 pm

I know that the chances of finding a pro-abortion Episcopalian on this forum is extremely thin, but I would like to know how they justify abortion as being permissible. I would also really like it if someone could post their official position on the matter. Are there any ex-episcopalians or knowledgable Catholics who can answer this question?

P.S. I am very, very opposed to abortion in basically all forms. I thought I be up front about that from the start.

DiMonica · #2 Apr 25, '12, 7:37 pm

I went to an episcopal church where the attendees were "prayerfully pro choice". Like secularists they say that a woman has a right to her own body and how it should be used. They believe that a woman's decisions should be trusted as it is her life to lead and she must live with the consequences of that decision. If a woman is unexpectedly pregnant only she can evaluate her own resources: financially, socially, emotionally, physical, etc and conclude whether or not she should have a child. Also, without abortion, it would not be possible for women to participate fully in society. Basically, it is the feminist position, but they believe that God gave us the mental faculties to make the decision and will not judge us for it. This is not my opinion at all, but how I understood it when I was episcopalian.

martininthefiel · #3 Apr 25, '12, 8:12 pm

On which aisle of the supermarket does one find the canned worms?

George Stegmeir · #4 Apr 25, '12, 8:30 pm

In my experience, Episcopalians tend to be trendy and "up to the minute" of all Christian sects. Whatever is morally fashionable, they are right on top of.
They are just about the most theologically self-deluded people around. Many American Episcopalians even think re-union with Rome is right around the corner, in spite of Female and openly gay clergy and bishops as well as homosexual marriage! In recent history, they even had a bishop who doubted the divinity of Christ and the Holy Trinity. That was bishop Spong of their Newark, N.J. Diocese, Who was not even brought up on heresy charges during his lifetime.

jinc1019 · #5 Apr 25, '12, 8:42 pm

All very interesting stuff...I truly didn't understand and I guess it's because it doesn't make much sense!

jilly4ski · #6 Apr 25, '12, 8:49 pm

I would love to be corrected by an episcopalian, but it was my understanding that (generally speaking) they didn't have official positions on a lot of this sort of "moral stuff," and even on some "doctrinal" issues. Or they might issue guidelines but that doesn't mean the faithful or even the clergy are bound by it, Some priests and bishops (even in their official positions) advocate and clearly support abortion, gay marriage, and any number of things that are strange to us Catholics, while others preach against it, and both sides are free to do so.

Of course I am not sure I fully understand the Anglican/Episcopal communion and their structure.

jinc1019 · #7 Apr 25, '12, 8:52 pm

I don't understand it either! That's why I asked I guess

pismopal · #8 Apr 25, '12, 9:17 pm

Even if they have a "view" or position..I am betting a latte at Starbucks that individuals are not bound to adhere to that position in the same way that Catholics are supposed to and overwhelmingly do , I am confident.

jinc1019 · #9 Apr 25, '12, 9:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pismopal

Even if they have a "view" or position..I am betting a latte at Starbucks that individuals are not bound to adhere to that position in the same way that Catholics are supposed to and overwhelmingly do , I am confident.

That may be true, but I would like someone to confirm it first!

Nimzovik · #10 Apr 25, '12, 9:51 pm

hmmmmmmm....... must be why the Catholic Church is inheriting a lot of Episcopalians. Too much Liberalism in the C. of E. Who would of guessed considering it's origins....

andrewstx · #11 Apr 25, '12, 10:28 pm

Not all Episcopalins are that liberal. Just as in a lot of things it depends on which one you ask.

pismopal · #12 Apr 26, '12, 10:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinc1019

That may be true, but I would like someone to confirm it first!

I think that has been done...no latte for you.

jinc1019 · #13 Apr 25, '12, 8:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiMonica

I went to an episcopal church where the attendees were "prayerfully pro choice". Like secularists they say that a woman has a right to her own body and how it should be used. They believe that a woman's decisions should be trusted as it is her life to lead and she must live with the consequences of that decision. If a woman is unexpectedly pregnant only she can evaluate her own resources: financially, socially, emotionally, physical, etc and conclude whether or not she should have a child. Also, without abortion, it would not be possible for women to participate fully in society. Basically, it is the feminist position, but they believe that God gave us the mental faculties to make the decision and will not judge us for it. This is not my opinion at all, but how I understood it when I was episcopalian.

Thanks for pointing this out from an Episcopal perspective, really interesting.

jinc1019 · #14 Apr 25, '12, 8:46 pm

I have heard many Episcopalians reply to this question in the past with a reply that the Episcopal Church is full of many different point of views, and don't view authority the same way as Catholics do. Does this sound right or is it just overwhelmingly liberal?

The Holy War 11 · #15 Apr 25, '12, 7:36 pm

They don't really believe in sin I think. They're very far left. They support gays, adultry, and abortian. They have a spirit of "do whatever you want!"