Tennessee faith leaders write letter to Gov. Lee supporting safe, legal abortions

FOX 17.COM ^ | APRIL 23, 2019 | Kaylin Jorge

[Morgana]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee faith leaders are urging Gov. Bill Lee to oppose a bill that would restrict access to abortions.

More than 150 pastors and leaders signed the letter to Lee in support of keeping abortion safe and legal. Leaders are urging Lee against HB77, the "Fetal Heartbeat Bill."

“Because we trust pregnant people, we know that these decisions are informed by tremendous reflection and not taken lightly,” the letter states. “When a person decides that abortion is their best option, they need community support not obstacles preventing safe access to medical care.”

[SoFloFreeper]

...and by “faith leaders” we mean “heretics”.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Because we trust pregnant people

Maybe we shouldn't. Generally they are making the decision under extreme hormone-fueled distress. Many come to regret it deeply afterwards.

[lastchance]

Too true. Besides abortion is not medical care. Medical care heals or diminishes illness.

[PGR88]

These are astroturf groups.

[moovova]

“Faith leaders”

They’re not leaders.

And there isn’t any faith involved.

[lastchance]

You know with that attitude you are very unlikely to reach the ears of any woman who may be regretting her abortion or the one thinking about getting one. They need to hear a message of God’s forgiveness and the worth of all human beings. Since Roe V Wade women have been bombarded with lies about abortion. From “It’s just a bunch of cells.” to “What if the baby doesn’t have a chance for life?” They’ve been told again and again that it is a choice. Often the only choice for them. You forget too those women and even teens who are pressured by spouses or boyfriends or parents into having an abortion.

Unfortunately there are women who treat abortion as birth control. That think nothing of ripping a preborn child from the womb. They are not in the majority though. Most are victims of the culture of death’s constant message. Yes their bodies survived the abortion but their souls were sorely wounded. They need Christ.

[arthurus]

Not blind leading blind. Judas goat leading sheep to slaughter.

[Gamecock]

Lot of people who don”t seem to have any ordained status. Those who are ordained are from raging liberal bodies.

I’m not impressed.

[Deplorable American1776]

Faith leaders? What GOD of theirs murders babies...?

[txrefugee]

Those who shed innocent blood are hated by God. (Proverbs 6:16,17) These false teachers are supporting something that God hates. He will not be mocked.

Related to this, there is a good reason that God instituted the male ministry in both Old Testament and New Testament.

[Louis Foxwell]

The faith they represent has nothing to do with the Living Christ.

[Boogieman]

“Because we trust pregnant people...”

Oh, pregnant people are somehow magically exempt from the sinfulness and selfishness that characterize just about everyone else on the planet?

Maybe we can just get rid of all these judges and appoint pregnant people to the bench, since they are such moral paragons. We can also exempt them from the 5-day waiting period and background checks for handgun purchases, because they are so trustworthy.

[navymom1]

Remember the narrow gate and those who will cry Lord, Lord only to be told, “ I do not know three.”

[Cedar]

No abortions!

https://www.abortionno.org/

[lurk]

Faith leaders. Priests of Baal.

[pnz1]

I know we’re not supposed to “judge” etc etc, but how do you consider yourself a “faith leader” or Christian and advocate for this?

[softengine]

Community Minister Lyndsey G Godwin, MDiv, Baptist
Dr. Monique Moultrie, Christian
Paige Elliott
Mrs. Geneva Andrews
Mrs. Carolyn Roberson
Baptist Rev. Dr. Gordon Gibson
Unitarian Universalist Senior Pastor Paul Eknes-Tucker, United Church of Christ
Tereva Parham, Christian (Non-denominational)
Ms. Pat Mccollum
Methodist Ordained Presbyterian Minister Robert D Williams, Reformed Church in America Rev. Julie Bailey, Presbyterian Ms. Carole Caprio, Methodist Mr. James Gingrow
Mrs. Angela M. Dillon, United Church of Christ
Ms. Erika Nelson, Lutheran Justice Minister
Rev. Teresa Smallwood, Disciples of Christ Assistant Director Mx. Roberta Nelson, Buddhist Michael D. Le Buhn Jr. , Candidate for Ordination—Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Rev. Judi Hoffman, United Methodist Reverend Jennifer Bailey, Founder and Executive Director, Faith Matters Network—African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.)
Ms. Elizabeth Manning, Christian
Ms. Suzanne LeBeau, Unitarian Universalist
Mr. Crossville, Christian
Rev. Cheryl Cornish, Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ
Reverend Dr. Emilie M. Townes, American Baptist
Ms. McEwen
Dr. Donald Dougall, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Deborah Lynn, Chaplain, Glendale Baptist Church
Rev. Laura Bogle, Unitarian Universalist
Ms. Judith Clerjeune, MDiv, Christian
Rev. Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Christian
Dr. Stephanie Budwey, Episcopal
Michelle E. Shaw, Multi-denominational
Lauren Cook, Catholic
Rev. Dr. Courtney Pace, Baptist—Associate Professor of Church History and Director of Admissions
Minister Cherisse Scott, Christian
Minister Ms. Elise Saulsberry, Christian
Senior Pastor Judy Cummings, Disciples of Christ
Vicar Dawn Bennett, Lutheran EL CA
Dr. Annette Sisson, Baptist
Rev. Christy Jo Harber, Disciples of Christ
Activist Sara Jane Goodman, United Methodist
Rev. Susan Crawford, Episcopal
Cecilia Olusola Tribble, Cultural Educator and Worship Consultant , Baptist
Dr. Elizabeth Nicholson, Christian
Rev. April Baker, Alliance of Baptists
Corinne Rovetti APRN-BC Co-Director, FNP, Jewish
Rev. Napoleon Harris, Christian
Dr. Jessica Stoiko, Jewish
Dr. Victor Anderson, Baptist—Professor Ethics and Society
Rev. Alaenor F. London, Christian
Dr. Diane Keeney, Brethren
Mr. Eric Brown Jr.
Ms. Samantha Smith, PC USA
Rev. Erin Racine, United Methodist
Heather Lefkowitz, United Methodist, Lecturer, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Graham Reside, Presbyterian Church, USA
The Rev'd Kira Austin-Young, Episcopal
Mr. Andrew Russell Flanigan, Presbyterian Church, USA
Sarah Grove, Pastoral Counselor and Licensed Marital and Family Therapist
Dr. Ellen Armour, Baptist
Rev. Steve Montgomery, Pastor, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rachel Ternes United Methodist Klem-Marí Cajigas, Mdiv
Baptist Reverend William Christians
Presbyterian Church (USA)Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher
Christian Dr. Nabil A. Bayakly, Associate Professor of Biology
Islam Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein, Jewish
Ms. Lauren Plummer, Glendale Baptist Church
Dr. Jeralyn B. Major, Baptist
Minister Margaret Ernst, United Church of Christ
Johnny Ray Sears, Christian – Baptist: Director, Academy for Spiritual Formation
Shelby Lewis, MDiv Candidate, Disciples of Christ
Arelis Benitez, Chaplain, Seventh-day Adventist
Ms. Charlotte Hoigard, Catholic
Ms. Stephanie Powers, United Methodist
Elizabeth Gedmark, Christian
Ms. Bianca Powell, Christian
Jordan Scruggs, Believer, Christian / Non-denominational
Mrs. Catherine Hutchison, Presbyterian
Ms. Melissa Lee, Catholic
Ms. Charlene Rice, Baptist
Peninah Botwinick
Dr. Donna W. Sherwood, unchurched Baptist
Ms. Janis Tilton, Methodist
Mrs. Kate Harrison, Episcopalian
Ms. Susan Cardwell, Methodist
Ms. Lauren Hulse, Unitarian Universalist
Laurie Ewasek , Catholic
Ms. Ava McDaniel, Episcopalian
Ms. Samara Duncan, Methodist
Mary Naylor, Christian, Municipal Employee
Ms. Ashton Dunn, Presbyterian
Ms. Nina Goad, Christian
Ms. Lorena Roberts, Christian
Cara Doidge Kilgore, Christian, Manager at national interfaith organization
Amanda Creech, Nazarene
Kate Tucker, Christian
ArtistWill Lasley, Christian
Ms. Dianna McCullough, Baptist
Mr. Geoffrey Bates, Anglican
Mr. Jonathan Holland, Christian
Mrs. Michelle Hefley , Methodist
Mrs. Cookeville, Universalist Unitarian
Mrs. Valorie Calton , Baptist
Rhonda Thibodeaux, Catholic, Mom
Ms. Venus Lugo Wooten, Episcopalian
Faith Kayr, Episcopal, Mother, grandmother to 8 , provider
Mrs. Virginia Fowler, United Methodist
Mr. Glen Harris, Episcopal
Ben Hunt, Progressive Christian
Ms. Ileta Galau, Christian
Rev. Marcia Free, United Church of Christ
Ms. Cynthia Bennett, United Methodist
Mrs. Marta Parson, Roman Catholic
Ms. Catherine Wood, Episcopal
Dr. Michele Moser, Methodist
Ms. Michelle Reagan, Christian
Loretta A Rittle, MSW, Unitarian-Universalist
Minister Regina Clarke, Baptist
Ms. Maya Koziol, Christian
Mrs. Kimberly Layne Beck, Nazarene
Mrs. Ruth M. Tuft, Episcopal
Mrs. Deborah Neal, Protestant
Priestess C.M. Underdown-DuBois, Pagan
Ms. Emily Green-Cain, Unitarian Universalist
Joey Hodge, Presbyterian, Layperson
Ms. Charlotte Mabry, Episcopalian
Ms. Jackie Ross Flaum, Methodist
Rabbi Shana Mackler, Jewish
Rev. Dahron Johnson, United Church of Christ, Pastor-in-Residence
Ruling Elder LeAnne M McComb, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Dr. Mary Louise McCullough, Presbyterian
Chaplain Mary Murphy, Center for Contemplative Justice
Rev. Alison Lutz, Episcopal Church
PhD student Rebecca Wilcox, Baptist
Mary Early-Zald, PhD, MDiv Unitarian Universalist, Intern Minister and Ministerial Candidate
Peter Capretto, Christian, PhD Fellow in Theology and Practice
Ms. Connally Davies Penley, Episcopalian
Reverend Floridia Jackson, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Jeannie M. Hunter, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Ms. Casandra Miller, Roman Catholic
Katherine Smith, Presbyterian Church (USA), Minister of Word and Sacrament, Presbytery of Middle Tennessee
Becca Ganick Unitarian
Rev. Dr. Eileen R. Campbell-Reed, Baptist
Susie Zuller, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cookeville
Ms. Kimberli Rose Jensen, Christian
Dr. Susan Ford, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Dr. Rosalyn Nichols, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Alandria London, Freedom's Chapel Christian Church (DOC), Church Moderator
Ayanna Watkins, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Deborah Clubb, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Executive Director, Memphis Area Women's Council Briana Perry, Christian
Miss Rachel Lesler, PC(USA)
Mrs. Catherine Turner, Christian
Mrs. Catherine Hutchison, Presbyterian
Dr. Owen Phillips, Presbyterian

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thanks for posting that. I had the list, unformtted, and was going to format it, but you saved me a lot of time.

[freepersup]

We’re going to need more timber and rope for...
Lyndsey,
Monique,
Paige,
Geneva,
Carolyn,
Gordon,
Paul,
Tereva,
Pat,
Robert,
Julie,
Carole,
James,
Angela,
Erika,
Teresa,
Roberta,
Michael,
Judi,
Jennifer,
Elizabeth,
Suzanne,
Crossville,
Cheryl,
Emilie,
McEwen,
Donald,
Deborah,
Laura,
Judith,
Robyn,
Stephanie,
Michelle,
Courtney,
Cherisse,
Elise,
Judy,
Dawn,
Annette,
Christy,
Sara,
Susan,
Cecilia,
Elizabeth,
April,
Corinne,
Napolean,
Jessica,
Victor,
Alaenor,
Diane,
Eric,
Samantha,
Erin,
Heather,
Graham,
Kira,
Andrew,
Sarah,
Ellen,
Steve,
Rachel,
William,
Earle,
Nabil,
Micah,
Lauren,
Jeralyn,
Margaret,
Johnny,
Shelby,
Arelis,
Charlotte,
Stephanie,
Elizabeth,
Bianca,
Jordan,
Catherine,
Melissa,
Charlene,
Peninah,
Donna,
Janis,
Kate,
Susan,
Lauren,
Laurie,
Ava,
Samara,
Mary,
Ashton,
Nina,
Lorena,
Cara,
Amanda,
Kate,
Will,
Dianna,
Geoffrey,
Jonathan,
Michelle,
Cookeville,
Valorie,
Rhonda,
Venus,
Faith,
Virginia,
Glen,
Ben,
Ileta,
Marcia,
Cynthia,
Marta,
Catherine,
Michele,
Michelle,
Loretta,
Regina,
Maya,
Kimberly,
Ruth,
Deborah,
Dubois,
Emily,
Joey,
Charlotte,
Jackie,
Shana,
Dahron,
LeAnne,
Mary,
Mary,
Alison,
Rebecca,
Mary,
Peter,
Connally,
Floridia,
Jeannie,
Casandra,
Katherine,
Becca,
Eileen,
Susie,
Kimberli,
Rosalyn,
Alandria,
Ayanna,
Deborah,
Briana,
Rachel,
Catherine,
Catherine,
and Owen.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Lauren Cook, Catholic

"Faith Leader" in what sense? My Church has no female clergy.