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South Dakota Clergy Learn Ways to Discuss Abortion in Divided Congregations
As the vote on the South Dakota abortion ban nears, some Protestant clergy are seeking ways to discuss the "divisive issue" of abortion within their congregations. On August 14 and 15, about 80 clergy and religious leaders gathered in Sioux Falls and Rapid City for a program titled, "Controversy and the Clergy," sponsored by Pastors for Moral Choices of South Dakota, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and the Network of Spiritual Progressives. The clergy participants were from denominations that have official statements supporting reproductive choice in certain circumstances or that allow views on the issue to be "left to individual conscience."

Speakers from the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice led the session on the abortion issue, using the "Faith and Choices" curriculum for Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ denominations. Because of the bitterness and anger over this issue in Christian churches, there is a need to open up respectful dialogue about morality, faith, and reproductive decisions, they said. By reading and studying denominational statements, people of faith will gain an understanding of the many different religious views about abortion.

The Rev. Bruce Herrboldt, pastor of South Park United Church of Christ in Rapid City, hosted the day-long seminar because he feels that moderate religious views on issues such as abortion are increasingly marginalized and silenced in the Christian community. He said he is "required more and more often to be 'either/or' on issues." The church is the right place to have conversations about issues such as abortion, he told reporter Mary Garrigan of the Rapid City Journal. "That's what the church should be about -- where people can talk about anything and still be in fellowship," he said.

The Rev. Marc Stewart, a Rapid City member of Pastors for Moral Choices, said invitations to the seminar were sent to area churches where the issue of abortion can be discussed openly. Many people are concerned about speaking against the state abortion ban because they fear harassment or even losing their jobs. Some clergy who fear speaking against the ban say they are concerned about congregational unity and their own job security.

The abortion ban, known as HB1215, was passed by the 2006 state Legislature and signed by Governor Rounds, who is seeking re-election in November against Democratic candidate Billion, a physician who opposes the ban. The legislation would ban nearly all abortions in South Dakota. It has been referred to a statewide vote in November.

The Rev. Jeri Behringer, who retired in May from the Spearfish UCC, said the seminar was helpful in providing a model for congregational discussion.

"What I hear from both clergy and lay people is the need to talk about these issues in a way that builds trust," Behringer said.

"Something has happened in the last few years that seems to have divided us in ways that I've never seen before in 36 years of ministry. There's an inability to hear each other and respect each other and respect that we are all Christians together, regardless of whether we agree on every issue." Behringer opposes HB1215 because it lacks an exception for rape or incest.

"To pass a bill that does not allow for rape or incest exceptions is to revictimize the victim, again and again and again," she told the Rapid City Journal.

"I don't think that abortion is ever a good choice, but sometimes, it's the only choice."

Pastors for Moral Choices is a statewide organization that began in Sioux Falls in 2005. It opposes civil laws that impose specific religious views.