Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFemale priest's views differ from mainstream Christian values
By Miyoko Ohtake
Posted: 1/15/07, 9:50 PM EST Section: Feature
|
"The Bible doesn't say anything about abortion," said Baskerville-Burrows, the Episcopalian chaplain at Hendricks Chapel and the priest at Syracuse's Grace Church. "There is something God has to say about it, but it has to do with what kind of life we're called to live and lead."
Baskerville-Burrows' stance on abortion, which aligns with that of the Episcopal Church, is liberal for Christian religions. Conservative priests often pull passages from the Bible to support their anti-abortion positions. Often cited are the Book of Luke to substantiate fetuses as people, the book of Genesis to condemn murder and the First Canonical Letters to explicitly condemn abortion.
"I think that's a dangerous road to go," Baskerville-Burrows said of using Scripture to support or denounce abortion. "If what I'm doing, if what I'm advocating, if what I'm hoping to bring out in the world are all in the service of Christ's love and commandments, if an abortion is going to be, in the long-run, a better life and a better service of love for the persons involved, it's going to be better."
Baskerville-Burrows is not alone in her beliefs.
"I think that people often freak out about Christians or Jews or Muslims or religious people being pro-choice," said Sarah Reks, a member of Grace Church and the parish's youth group leader. "I think that 'pro-choice' always makes it sound that people want to have abortions, but abortion is a tragedy."
Baskerville-Burrows calls it "a painful reality," and both she and Reks believe that abortion is not a matter to be decided upon by the government.
"I think it's something that a woman has to deal with herself, and if she's a religious person, it's something she can deal with in her relationship with God," Reks said.
Nevertheless, few individuals approach the enthusiastic, bounce-in-her-step priest to discuss the subject.
"Part of it is just the demographics," Baskerville-Burrows said. "On campus, students are hesitant to talk about that, and at church, most people are sort of past child-bearing, so it's not an issue, but I would hope people think it would be OK to talk about it."
Baskerville-Burrows hopes to have children in the future and is not above struggling with the issue of abortion on a personal level.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
The Rev. L. Weber
The Rev. L. WEber
posted 1/16/07 @ 3:34 PM EST
As an Episcopal priest and a female, I find The Rev. Baskerville-Burrows' comments on the Bible, abortion, and the Episcopal Church rather disingenuous -- if they are being reported accurately. (Continued…)
jinhenkim
Jin Hen Kim
posted 1/16/07 @ 8:35 PM EST
This is an excerpt from the Bible, King James version:
"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. (Continued…)
L. Weber+
posted 1/16/07 @ 9:42 PM EST
FYI:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is opposed to abortion; he uses an interesting and subtle argument that has to do with a critique of consumer choice and rights claims, issues related to abortion in our Western culture. (Continued…)
Post a Comment