Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion in Ten World Religions

by Daniel C. Maguire

Breaking the silence about choice As the world teeters on the edge of overpopulation, this new addition to the Sacred Energies series aims to show how ten major religious traditions in fact contain strong affirmations of the right to family planning, including contraception and even, when necessary, abortion. Maquire first shows how interrelated overpopulation is with poverty, ethnic injustice, gender injustice, and the maldistribution of economic resources. Often the world's religions (most notoriously perhaps, Roman Catholicism) are thought to contribute only to the problem, rather than solutions, through their hostility to sex, education and equal rights for women, and birth control. In fact, argues Maguire, the ten scholars who consulted for several years about how these traditions treat issues of contraception and abortion find in them a true religious awe at the sacredness of life, a genuine openness to sexuality as a dimension of the sacred, and "alongside the 'no choice' position . . .a 'pro-choice' position that is too little known, even by adherents to the religion. That is the key message of this book."

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2001

Reviews

[Christine Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book read in Women's Studies. Professor Renae Bredin gave another excellent book. Although the style of writing was different for each section, I was intrigued with the stance that each person wrote in their essay. I think this book gave me another great insight in different religions of the world. This is something worth reading if you want to be exposed to different religions, especially if you're not familiar with it. Because I came from a Buddhist/Daoist/Confucianist background with little understanding of other religions, especially the Abrahamic religions, this book allowed to me to understand more about why people do certain things the way they do. Although I'd say that this book doesn't exactly give insights that are good for those who have deep knowledge and/or understanding of the Abrahamic religions. I'd say that new knowledge would be meager for those who are passionate about the Abrahamic religions.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an well-executed book about a treacherous social crossroads- abortion and religion. And it was written by a priest turned professor of ethics. If you are at all interested in reproductive rights, religion, ethics or the status of women, this is a worthwhile read. Considering the subject matter, Maguire could have easily hidden behind rhetoric, sound bites or academia, but he doesn't. It's a very intelligent and simultaneously accessible read.

[Adrian Shanker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book hoping for a well-researched comparative religion approach to reproductive justice. Instead this book was overly reductive and the author presumes that all readers are monolithic (and Christian). In one instance, the author even utilizes the New English Bible for a translation source for a Jewish text.

I really wanted to like this book.

[Josia Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book — learned new things and the premise is good.

A few issues with the execution: first, the author blatantly assumes that the reader is a white Christian American. Second, there were statements presented as facts that I simply disagree with (such as the contention that abortion is “almost always a painful decision for women” or that everyone can agree there should be fewer abortions). Third, nearly every chapter was framed with references to Christianity. I found this particularly annoying and unnecessary, and some of the chapters were under-developed.

I particularly enjoyed the sections on Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. I wish the chapters on Judaism, Protestant faiths, and Native American religions had been better fleshed out. Also, it would be nice if the scope had included religious practices from additional regions (like Africa and South America). And the chapter on Islam was inappropriately framed with references to terrorism when no other religion was situated to grapple with their similar or particular histories.

Some notable quotes:

From a chapter on Chinese religious wisdom: “she finds our Western debate between pro-life and pro-choice ‘mystifying and misleading.’ All human choices, she says, are made with life in view, and life is a series of choices.”

From Protestants and Family Values: “lawmakers today who disapprove of all abortions can still, in good conscience, support the legalization and decriminalization of abortion.”

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful survey, albeit one which was more focused on each religion's attitudes towards family planning in a general sense than a direct grappling with the ethical dilemmas of abortion. The book would have benefitted from a more dispassionate tone by Maguire, as it would have erased any doubts that the several experts chosen to serve as our guides to each faith and philosophy represent popular but under-heard viewpoints within each tradition and not a stacked jury.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I make no bones about being pro-choice, I think anyone who is a religious scholar can appreciate the easy-to-read guide through ten major world religions and their stances that are both pro-life and pro-choice.

It's true what he says in the preface: "Conventional wisdom says that religions are invariably anti-choice when it comes to contraception with abortion as a backup when necessary. This restrictive viewpoint is indeed found in the world religions, and it is a perfectly reasonable and orthodox position within those religions - but it isn't the only respectable and orthodox position within those religions. These traditions are richer, more sensitive, and more subtle than we might believe."

I learned quite a bit and have a greater respect for my personal denomination and the religions of the world that have had great respect for the earth and our own ability to care for our people.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a worthwhile read for all the new information I learned about. It's true that the most conservative, anti-choice, anti-woman sectors of religions are often the loudest. Not having grown up with any particular faith, and not being a member of any major religion, I've only heard that anti-choice contingent speaking for everyone. I was surprised to hear about the actual right to abortion in religions like Catholicism and fundamentalist Protestantism, Judaism and Islam. I was less surprised to hear about it from "gentler" religions like Buddhism and Taoism. Anyway it relayed some information that is useful and was unknown to me before. That's why I'm giving it so many stars.

At times, though, the author's tone really grated on me. Thank goodness he actually went to adherents and experts on these religions.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

On a progressive religion reading stint right now. Had this one lying around for awhile and finally got around to reading it. More a resource for the pro-choice space in major world religions than a book read for the pleasure of words. A nice primer to the false presentation of many religions as all espousing a forced pregnancy, anti-sex position.

[The_Coat Hanger_Project · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel Maguire's book really opened my eyes to the ways different religions interpret, explain, and understand family planning and abortion. I was surprised to find they contain strong affirmations of the right to family planning, including contraception and when necessary, abortion.

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but kind of redundant. As I recall, he frequently returns to the theme of overpopulation and maternal health as moral dilemmas.

[Amy D.P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reproductive Rights 101 called, and they approved this book. This is an interesting take on Religious leaders and a woman's right to choice. It is well thought out and articulated well.

[Kiddonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

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