By admin

A response to Deseret News editor Drew Clark, by Lew Jeppson

Writing in the Deseret News yesterday, Mr Clark has shown that he is really obsessed with the matter of contraception. The conservative Christian faiths (and Islam) are particularly exercised that businesses and corporations which are owned by members of their faiths not be required to provide contraceptive drugs. Why? The answer provided by Mr Clark and others is that such would interfere with their free exercise of religion.

But we need to probe deeper.

Why do conservative faiths so fear contraception? Because contraception liberates women! Women, both single and married, can avoid pregnancy through the use of contraceptives. This diminishes the control of women by men. And of course that is the last thing conservative Christianity and Islam want.

So the freedom of religious expression as Mr. Clark sees it, is containment and erosion of actual freedom for women.

The Socialist Party USA — including the Utah chapter, the Wasatch Socialist Party — defends the rights of women to control their reproductive destinies. As we say in our Principles:

We work against the exploitation and oppression of women who live with lower wages, inferior working conditions and subordination in the home, in society and in politics. Socialists struggle for the full freedom of women and men to control their own bodies and reproductive systems and to determine their own sexual orientation.

We stand for the right of women to choose to have a safe and legal abortion, at no cost, regardless of age, race, or circumstance. Women’s independent organizations and caucuses are essential to full liberation, both before and after the transformation to socialism. Women will define their own liberation.

Source: The Socialist Party USA is a Feminist Party