Associate Dean of the College at Princeton University, Khristina Gonzalez, is credited for having organized a pro-abortion event in which the sole purpose was to “raise visibility and funds for Planned Parenthood of New Jersey.” The event was cosponsored by the University’s Office of Religious Life (ORL).
Some staff members and participants of the event, including Theresa Thames, expressed on social media just how much she enjoyed co-sponsoring the Run4AllWomen fundraiser. It should be noted that Thames is a reverend who serves as the Associate Dean of the Office of Religious Life.
According to Thames, “This is a conversation about access, this is a conversation about economic justice, this is a conversation about so many things. Abortion is just a small part of what Planned Parenthood does.” She goes on to say that the ORL is “committed to the health and well-being of all people including access to quality healthcare.”
Another member of the staff, Maya Wahrman, who was also involved in co-sponsoring and attending the event, defended ORL’s decision to get involved saying, “Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of critical services to women and men.” Wahrman also stated that the ORL is an interfaith office that does not have a particular stance on the issue of abortion.
Assistant Vice President of Communications Daniel Day reiterated the statement saying, “The Office of Religious Life does not take political stances. It does work with and support students and student organizations that hold many different viewpoints.”
The event drew criticism from Princeton Pro-Life, a student group on campus. Not only were they both hurt and outraged that funds raised by teachers, staff, and students of the university went directly into the pockets of the pro-abortion giant, they felt it stifled the religious liberties of students. In response to the event, members of Princeton Pro-Life stated, “We affirm the essential dignity of the human person as well as an unborn child’s right to life. We believe that a comprehensive discussion of women’s rights is one that acknowledges the rights of unborn women.”
The pro-life student group went on to say, “When personhood is denied, so too are religious freedoms, so by demonstrating support for an abortion provider, ORL is rather demonstrating a lack of commitment to religious freedom. This is, of course, antithetical to its professed mission to ‘promote the care and support for the many religious and secular communities’ on campus.”
Thomas Clark, Anscombe Society president emeritus, questioned why the ORL at Princeton would choose to raise funds for “an organization that was founded on a racist and eugenicist ideology.”
Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life echoed the concerns of the pro-life community saying, “Every day, Planned Parenthood coerces 900 women into believing that abortion is their only option.” She also feels that Princeton’s ORL should have instead shown support for pregnancy centers throughout the state that demonstrated “real life-saving and life-changing work.”
On the other side of the spectrum, Unitarian Universalist Chaplain Bill Neely, offered his hearty congratulations. “Congrats to the ORL for participating in the Run 4 All Women in New Jersey. What a fun and healthy way to support the essential work of Planned Parenthood, which provides excellent health care to people who may not have any other source of assistance. I’m grateful for and inspired by ORL’s involvement.”
Another group on campus, Princeton Students for Reproductive Justice, agreed with the ORL’s involvement of helping to raise money for Planned Parenthood of New Jersey. “We are excited to see this show of support from ORL, especially at a time when women’s reproductive rights are increasingly under threat. Access to basic, vital healthcare such as that which Planned Parenthood provides is something we should all support.”
To date, the Run 4 All Women New Jersey rally has raised over $6,500 for Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit organization that receives a half-billion dollars a year from the federal government.
Despite raising funds for the largest abortion provider in the country, the ORL is still making plans to host its pro-life worship service in the University chapel, which is something they have done every year since 2006. Can you say hypocrites?
~ Christian Patriot Daily
