Catholic League president William Donohue commented today on the way pro-abortion activists are seeking to hijack religion:
“As we approach the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, it is evident that the pro-abortion camp is in disarray. For example, a New York Times/CBS poll released in November showed that only 34 percent of Americans believe abortion should be generally available; 44 percent want greater restrictions; and 21 percent want it banned altogether. Which means that two-thirds of the public is opposed to the status quo of abortion-on-demand. Couple this with the fact that religious values are driving this opposition, and it is clear that the pro-aborts are in a jam.
“Some in the pro-abortion camp get the message, but even among those who do, their proposed strategy is deceitful. For example, Howard Dean, who wants to head the DNC, says the Democrats should not change their position, but ‘we can change our vocabulary.’ John Kerry gets the message, too, as he made plain in a meeting in late November in Washington. But when Kerry said the Democrats need to be more open to those who are pro-life, the new head of NARAL, Nancy Keenan, said, ‘There was a gasp in the room.’ Not surprisingly, Gloria Feldt of Planned Parenthood was one of those who nearly choked. Frances Kissling of Catholics for a Free Choice also wants a softer approach, but this hasn’t gone down well with the likes of Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist Majority. And Emily’s List, a PAC richer than the NRA, is violently opposed to anything that might force it to lose a few bucks.
“The most shameless of the new strategies is the invocation of religion to justify abortion. Planned Parenthood, for example, has endorsed a statement by the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing that ‘reaffirms women’s moral agency in light of religious respect for life, scriptural teachings on abortion,’ etc. There is also a new campaign by the National Council of Jewish Women that unconvincingly argues that abortion is ‘a matter of religious freedom.’ What about infanticide?
“Many who were pro-abortion are now pro-life, and they should be welcomed with enthusiasm. But these phonies should be shown the door.”
