Resolution on a Womans Right to Abortion
The Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade on Jan 22, 1973, 40 years ago today, affirmed a woman’s right to an abortion. The American Humanist Association adopted the below resolution in 1985.
American Humanist Association
Resolution on a Woman’s Right to Abortion
Adopted by the Board of Directors
March 29, 1985 ~ Kansas City, MO
WHEREAS a woman’s right of freedom of choice regarding abortion in the United States is the law; and
WHEREAS all relevant and reputable national surveys consistently show that freedom of choice for abortion is supported overwhelmingly in the United States; and
WHEREAS the American Humanist Association affirmed at its annual conference in 1977 that women have the moral right to become pregnant by choice and to become mothers by choice; and
WHEREAS the AHA affirmed the moral right of women to freely terminate unwanted pregnancies; and
WHEREAS the AHA opposed actions by individuals, organizations, and governmental bodies that attempt to restrict and limit women’s moral right and obligation of responsible parenthood; and
WHEREAS women’s rights for freedom of choice have been seriously eroded by governmental actions that restrict and prohibit abortion services to many categories of women, especially the poor; and
WHEREAS Congress has prohibited the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights—which was set up to watch over and protect the constitutional rights of citizens—from any consideration of abortion rights; and
WHEREAS the U. S. President openly applauds the so-called Right-to-Lifers and urges constitutional amendment making abortion illegal; and
WHEREAS anti-choice adherents are actively terrorizing women’s clinics; and
WHEREAS women who seek the services of these clinics are vilified and made to feel like criminals; and
WHEREAS people who staff these clinics are in daily danger from bomb-throwers and arsonists;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AHA reaffirms its support of responsible motherhood; that it joins with other organizations in deploring the government’s actions regarding abortion; and that the AHA reaffirms its support of women’s right of choice to terminate a pregnancy within the parameter set up by the Supreme Court in its Roe vs. Wade decision.
A pdf file of this resolution can be found here.
The American Humanist Association
The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of Humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of Humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
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