No-BODY is free until every-BODY is free

Our faith calls us often to what can seem like impossible feats of action. When we call ourselves home to the Genesis of our faith, these actions aren’t so much impossible as they are critical to flourish as people of God.  

Women have been leading the charge of faithful action for decades. And women in a society that often uplifts patriarchy (a harm to all bodies) are the first to experience attacks on personhood and bodily autonomy.  

Fannie Lou Hamer’s rally cry, “nobody’s free until everybody’s free” is universally referenced across justice movements. But did you know the birth of this phrase came from a powerful testimony Hamer gave urging the Women’s Liberation Movement to engage with reproductive rights? 

No-BODY is free until every-BODY is free is an emphasis worthy of slowing down to re-read.  

If you’ve been wondering why it is critical to care about reproductive justice in this election, consider the following sacred points: 

Bodily autonomy is a birthright of creation.  

Denying birthing bodies access to choice and autonomy through legal restriction is theologically a direct attempt at disembodying God’s creation. If the Imago Dei lives within each person as an imprint of God’s love in the world, then the restriction of those bodies is an attempt to bind God. Throughout the biblical text, God uplifts choice and resource sharing as essential for our flourishing. Tending to one another and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves is core throughout the biblical text.  

Jesus’ ministry shows us that what is ritualized by state law can sometimes be under the guise of oppression and manipulation of human bodies. 

Mark 5 is an illumination text for Reproductive Justice and access to Reproductive health care. A woman is suffering from health complications within her womb marked invisible by biblical state law. Jesus sees, talks with, and affirms her bodily autonomy and need for care. Jesus does this non-violently, and we can use this lesson to inspire us to approach the ballot box with bodily autonomy and reproductive justice in mind.  

The impacts of lessening reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy will continue to ripple outward causing harm to humanity. 

Amber Nicole Thurman died from abortion complications because the lifesaving procedure she needed violated a newly instituted law in Georgia. She waited 20 hours for care and by the time doctors finally decided to operate it was too late. And now her 6-year-old son is without a mother.  

States with higher restrictive abortion laws now have a higher maternal mortality rate during pregnancy where certain procedures may be needed but are restricted because of these laws.  

Limiting reproductive healthcare also has direct impacts on trans youth and adults and their access to much needed gender-affirming care and birthing resources.  

As you approach the ballot box, reflect deeply on the Imago Dei within each, and all, who deserve love, care, and autonomy in their bodies. Together let us vote with love to ensure that every-BODY is free.  

The United Church of Christ promotes bodily autonomy for all people and supports the rights of each person to access health care that upholds their dignity and humanity. A 2023 resolution proclaimed abortion as healthcare, forced birth an act of violence, and calls for systemic measures to increase access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare.   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rachael Ward is the Minister of Gender & Human Sexuality Justice for the United Church of Christ.