Abortion Facts

                                                                                                                                                                      Vol. VII, No. 8, October 1994

Each year nearly 3 of every 100 American women aged 15-44 have abortions; 43% have had at least one previous abortion. White women account for 65% of all abortions, but the non-white rate is more than twice the white rate (57 vs. 21 per 1000). One in 6 women obtaining abortions in 1987 described herself as born-again or evangelical Christians. Of women having abortions, 1% have been advised the baby has a defect; another 1% report rape or incest. Most women report more than three reasons for choosing abortion: 3/4 say having a baby would interfere with work, school, or other responsibilities; about 2/3 say they cannot afford to have a child; and 1/2 say they do not want to be a single parent. [Presbyterians Pro-Life News]

President Clinton: In an ABC News interview aired 22 and 23 March 1994, with religion correspondent Peggy Wehmeyer, the president said "I do not believe that it is self-evident from the Bible that all abortions are murder." Also, the issue of homosexuality "did not make it into the Ten Commandments."