This position paper was adopted by the Planned Parenthood Board of Directors and was prepared by the Planned Parenthood Religious Advisory which is composed of religious leaders in the North Texas area.

MAKING MORAL CHOICES:  A RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE

Planned Parenthood advocates moral decision making.  Moral concepts are central to our principles and our programs.  We believe in, and will fight for, the continued right of individuals to exercise their own moral and religious principles with regard to reproductive choices.  Rarely do human beings make a more profoundly moral decision than when they contemplate creating new life.  Choosing to become a parent is to accept a long-lasting and enriching moral obligation which should be approached with the most careful deliberation.  Though we may wish otherwise, many who are forced to become parents cannot accept the responsibilities of parenthood.  Bringing children into the world who, from the day they are born are unwanted and unloved, or do not have adequate resources to survive an thrive, is profoundly immoral.

Planned Parenthood affirms the dignity and worth of every person regardless of race, creed, age, sex, lifestyle, or national origin.  Whereas Planned Parenthood, as a community service agency, understandably does not subscribe to any one particular religious creed as the basis for its existence; we are, nonetheless, aware that moral reflection is crucial in both the provision and use of its services.  Planned Parenthood believes that a person's decisions regarding human sexuality should be made on the basis of sound moral judgement and the principle of freedom of choice. 

Planned Parenthood believes that in order for people to make responsible decisions regarding human sexuality they must have a full range of information and resources available regarding family planning options.  We are especially concerned with counseling and education in human sexuality, family planning, abortion and related health services.  We affirm the right of each person to have access to accurate information and competent professional help as well as moral guidance to meet family planning needs. 

The following are values we hold in common:

We recognize the significance that religious faith holds for many people in making their decisions regarding human sexuality and family planning.  We know that even within a particular religious faith there are serious differences of opinion regarding these matters.  We regard religious diversity as a strength and reject all coercive attempts by those from any religious perspective to force others into compliance with their views.  Such coercion is a violation of religious freedom.  We reject as a form of moral tyranny any religious or civil program that would eliminate freedom of choice.

We understand this separation to mean that the powers of the state may not be used to establish a particular church or religion as normative for society.

We understand the Constitution to mean that the state may not be used as an instrument for disseminating or imposing any religious ideology and that, if people so choose, they may make ethical decisions without regard to religion.  We believe that defense of this freedom is binding on all U.S. citizens if the integrity of the Constitution and religious freedom are to be safeguarded.

We urge all religious leaders to give careful consideration to the meaning of religious freedom as it relates to the constitution, our pluralistic society and a person's responsibility to make moral choices.

We urge all religious faiths to directly address their responsibility to educate their adherents in their religious traditions so that they will be able to make responsible, moral decisions regarding family planning.  We also urge them to address moral questions raised by the technologies of our day which bear directly on the quality of human life.

We are especially concerned that young people be carefully instructed in ways that will make it possible for them to clarify values and make decisions regarding human sexuality and reproduction that are healthy, responsible and based on accurate information. 

The responsibility for making moral decisions inheres in all people, informed by their religious, cultural and ethnic norms.  We affirm that individuals have the moral capacity and human obligation to make healthy, responsible decisions about childbearing.

The Religious Advisory of Planned Parenthood of North Texas (PPNT) exists to provide support and feedback to Planned Parenthood about issues relevant to the religious community and to speak to the larger community from a religious perspective in issues of sexuality education and reproductive health care. 

We believe it is crucial that issues of sexuality education and reproductive health care be addressed from a religious perspective.  It is imperative that those of us in the religious community who are in favor of responsible sexuality education and who support equal access to reproductive health care let our positions be known.

For more information, please call Planned Parenthood's Education Department at (214) 363-2004 or (817) 882-1155 or email us at info.education@ppnt.org.