Thank you Faith Aloud for providing such a wonderful resource for those of us in the religious community who support a woman's right to choose. I wish more people of faith were willing to stand up for reproductive justice.

Next week will be an exciting and historic moment in our country’s history. Barack Obama will be elected President, bringing with him a much needed sense of change and renewal. However, as we celebrate the upcoming week with celebrity concerts and inaugural balls, we cannot forget another landmark day in history— January 22, 1973. Upon reading the poignant blessing by Rev. Turner marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I was reminded of the difficult battle that was fought in order to win the right to choose. We are fortunate to live in a country where the right to privacy is protected and the government is not allowed to interfere in personal medical decisions.

Rev. Turner’s blessing also struck me as a call to action. Just as we cannot forget the anniversary of Roe, we cannot forget that there are those who constantly seek to undermine the Supreme Court’s decision in this case. In the last election, three states put proposals on their ballots that sought to restrict or ban abortions. In South Dakota, anti-choice activists placed Measure 11— an abortion ban— on the ballot, even though a similar ban was voted down during the 2006 elections. Despite the defeat of Measure 11, the anti-choice movement continues to pursue its narrow-minded and restrictive agenda. An example of this is President Bush’s refusal regulations which were put in to effect by the Department of Health and Human Services just last month and allow medical professionals the right to refuse to provide treatment based on so-called “moral objections.” The President’s 11th hour regulations are clearly a last minute effort by the anti-choice movement to advance their agenda before Obama takes office.

In light of President Bush’s refusal regulations, I was especially moved when Rev. Turner said we must “pray for sound decisions throughout our nation that will continue to protect women’s choices.” I am confident that the Obama administration will protect our rights, but I also know that we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent. Today, Roe v. Wade stands as the law of the land. But, there are people and organizations committed to infringing on this most fundamental right, and we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

Absolutely beautiful, thank you for sharing.

This is a very beautiful blessing, thank you for sharing. I agree, too, that it is a reminder and call to action. I have been part of a Unitarian Church in the past who offered words on Roe v. Wade anniversary and monthly collections for Planned Parenthood. And while I felt personally comfortable with the words and collection, I had to pause and consider the separation of church & state that is often touted by us pro-choicers as reasoning why the Christian-right has no business trying to make abortion illegal. A friend who attended church with me made the comment that, "We can't have it both ways, can we?" And while the blessing here is clearly open and non-denominational, it is religious in sentiment. I struggle with this question.

You guys are nuts! No God would ever allow someone to go in and destroy a human life for the sake of selfishness. You all are are seriously fucked.

And you speak for said deity? By whose authority?

It's a lovely, lovely blessing.

If there is a prayer that needs to be said, it's for all of you.

What prayer are you going to say for us? On the off chance that it doesn't come true, that is.

I'm pro choice and I leave God out of it. I think a woman has a right to chose and I can't take it beyond that.

A blessing of Roe vs Wade is just about appalling. If there's a blessing one should say, it's the one that acknowledges that your parents chose life for you.

Trolls much?

Not trolling here, and I'm not for outlawing choice. I believe women should have the legal right to make decisions about their bodies.

But "Bless these doors"? Really? We're blessing doors now?

A human being is a blessed thing, even prior to birth. A lot of people believe that and believe in reproductive freedom, too. That topic is a little too much of a hot potato, but we can provide a beautiful, bland blessing of the doors. Please ignore the elephant in the room.

"we pray for sound decisions throughout our nation that will continue to protect women’s choices."

I despise self-serving prayers, even from causes I agree with. Everyone thinks they are right and that God has to be on their side.

I would be more impressed with "God help us to see what is right and to work toward it."