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| author | Pamela Lynn Davis |
| title | Faith and Abortion: Listening to Pentecostal Women's Stories, Seeking Ethical Church Responses |
| abstract |
Pentecostal churches have not historically provided support to women during contemplation or following abortion, defined as the surgical procedure to terminate
and remove the fetus. Too often, the attitudes of these churches surrounding abortion are those of condemnation. The intent of this research is to challenge
Pentecostal churches to change their spiritual responses from shaming condemnation to compassionate support. Informed by the voices of women who have had
abortions while members of Pentecostal churches, this ethnographic study will explore the spiritual needs described by four (4) women who reflect upon their
experiences during this critical decision-making period, the role of Pentecostal churches in responding to those needs, and the resources that are essential
for Pentecostal churches to be most effective and supportive in its responsiveness to such women. Through a series of interviews, the following questions are
answered: What are the spiritual, ethical and intellectual criteria upon which these four Pentecostal women potentially based their decisions to abort? What
is the nature of their contemplative experience? How can Pentecostal Churches compassionately and respectfully fulfill their obligations to support women who
contemplate or choose abortions? How can such churches be responsive to the range of spiritual needs women articulate and what kinds of resources enable them
to do so? In answering these questions, it is hoped that Pentecostal churches will recognize the needs of women who face unplanned pregnancies and contemplate
or have abortions, and respond to them with compassion, providing the emotional and spiritual support they require during this critical period in their lives.
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| school | The Theological School, Drew University |
| degree | D.Min. (2019) |
| advisors | Susan Kendall
Traci C. West |
| committee | Christine Harris
Nathaniel Nix
Lisa Nix
Rochelle Hunter |
| full text | PLDavis.pdf |
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