Reclaiming the moral argument on abortion: examining the role of liberal faith communities in addressing abortion stigma.

Abstract

Religiosity is associated with opposition to abortion and the production of abortion stigma. However, social science research also demonstrates: the involvement of faith-based organisations in advocating for abortion rights; significant nuance and complexity in religious people’s views on abortion; and discursive strategies used by religious people with abortion experiences to mitigate the impact of stigma.

This study examines the development of liberal religious views on abortion in Northern Ireland, a context shaped by ethno-religious conflict that contributes to the maintenance of conservative religious norms and stigmatising abortion discourse. As abortion policy undergoes radical liberalisation following interventions by the United Nations and UK Government, this research aims to explore the perspectives of people of faith who support legal access to abortion.

Adopting a feminist epistemological stance, the method of study was the collection of qualitative data through in-depth narrative interviews. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic narrative analysis and six abortion decision-making stories were further analysed using a structural narrative analysis framework. The theoretical framework was based on an integration of reproductive justice and lived religion with some engagement with pro-choice theo-ethical concepts.

The findings provide insights into both the biographical influences that have contributed to the development of liberal views on abortion and the discursive strategies present in the articulation of these views. They point towards a liberal religious discourse and practice that challenges the official religious stance and embraces the social, emotional and moral complexity of abortion. The findings also problematise secular pro-choice discourse by emphasising pregnancy and abortion as a relational experience that requires an embodied, spiritual response. Through demonstrating a commitment to unconditional love and support for people facing unsupportable pregnancies, this research suggests that liberal faith communities have a key role to play in tackling abortion stigma in Northern Ireland.

Date of Award	Nov 2023
Original language	English
Supervisor	Fiona Bloomer (Supervisor), Johanne Devlin Trew (Supervisor) & Gail Neill (Supervisor)