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RCRC Urges Congress to Defund Dangerously Ineffective Abstinence-only Programs

April 23, 2008

Statement of Reverend Carlton W. Veazey,
President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) calls on Congress to end the funding of dangerously ineffective, ideologically motivated abstinence-only programs.

In testimony submitted to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding a hearing on abstinence-only programs, RCRC calls attention to the positions of major faith traditions - representing millions of religious Americans – that support comprehensive sexuality education. These traditions include Episcopalian, Methodist, Muslim, Jewish, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Unitarian Universalist, and United Church of Christ. Excerpts of official denominational statements on sexuality education are available by contacting the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

It is important that Congress know that people of faith believe strongly in our nation’s constitutional guarantee of separation of church and state. We do not want the health of our young people sacrificed for dogmatic moral views which deny the reality of the world we live in.

Faith communities take seriously their duty to instill a set of religious and moral values that will help guide young people to responsible life choices. But it is the role of government to ensure that the nation’s youth receive the facts - unblemished by parochial beliefs - that will protect them from disease and unintended pregnancy.

It is unconscionable that we have wasted eight years and over $1.3 billion on abstinence-only programs which we know do not work. These programs are not benign. They jeopardize the lives and futures of our young people by denying them scientifically sound information.

We want our young people to be safe. For that to happen, they must be empowered with the knowledge to make responsible decisions about their sexuality. Offering them anything less is dangerous and wrong.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice includes the Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, three bodies of the Presbyterian Church (USA), two agencies of the United Methodist Church, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaism, Unitarian Universalism, Catholics for Choice, and other groups. RCRC’s programs include Clergy for Choice, Seminarians for Choice, Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom, the National Black Church Initiative, La Iniciativa Latina, public policy and public information and advocacy.

Take Action - Contact your Members of Congress and tell them to JUST SAY NO to dangerous abstinence-only programs.