ATTENTION PLEASE! We are in the process of updating all A SACReD Journey online resources. While most resources match the updated curriculum, there are some misalignments across the modules. We apologize for any frustration or complication this adds to your facilitation of the ASJ Curriculum. We aim to have all modules updated by early April. If you have questions please reach out to Kentina Washington-Leapheart: [email protected]. Thank you for being with us on this journey! 

• Playlist
• Fact Sheet 6.1–Reproduction Realities
• Worksheet 6.2 Values Clarification

CONTENT WARNING

This module explores our values and the messages we have received about reproductive realities and moralities. This content includes and may bring up statements about the morality of abortion, adoption, same-sex marriage, parenting, sex, and trans healthcare for youth, homophobia, anti-trans violence, sexual violence, and/or racial violence. These may bring up painful feelings or memories for participants. Please care for yourself in this session. If you need to step away or take a break, please do so.

• “I see…” – What RJ issues do you see happening in your example? (How is the RJ framework lacking in this example? To which tenet does your item relate?)
• “I think…” – What do you think is happening in this situation? (Think about what systems of oppression or traditional religious teachings you suspect are at work)
• “I wonder…” – Wonder to yourself: How could this be different? (What would you advocate or work toward to make this different?)

Invite participants to hold their hands over their hearts or abdomens as they recite these words in unison:

•  My body is a sacred gift.
•  My sexuality is a sacred gift.
•  My reproductive agency is a gift.
•  I am not alone on my sacred journey.

Invite participants to turn to someone next to them and recite these words:

•  I affirm your body is a sacred gift.
•  I affirm your sexuality is a sacred gift.
•  I affirm your reproductive agency is a gift.
•  I affirm you are not alone on your sacred journey.

As we speak these truths, we affirm and celebrate the beautiful diversity of sacred bodies, sexualities, and reproductive journeys in this space and around the world.

As we speak these truths, we affirm that all people, no matter the circumstances of their lives, deserve to be honored in their bodies, sexualities and reproductive journeys.

Alternative Opening:

Offer a prayer or reading from your own tradition that invites people to be open to different experiences, or select one from the bank found on the Resource Page.

https://www.sacreddignity.org/asjresources/opening-and-closing-bank/

• Have each participant share their name and pronouns. What is one word or sound that represents how they are feeling/arriving? Following the check-in, ask for 1 or 2 people to share any themes or pressing content that came up from their RJ Show & Tell discussions.
• Remind participants of the group covenant.

Fact Sheet 6.1–Reproduction Realities

•  What did you notice from that sheet?
•  What surprised you?
•  What was new information to you?

Worksheet 6.2 Values Clarification

In your small group, take 10 minutes to compare the responses.

Do not try to guess whose paper you have. Then answer the following questions:

• Where are the differences between values?
• What values are different from your own? Can you imagine why someone might feel those ways?
• What surprised you about the responses?

• What are the key themes that stand out to you? Are there strong differences between our experiences and messages?
• Do you see dissonance between the reproductive realities people experienced and the moral messages they received?
• How aware have you been of these beliefs and norms?
• Do you agree with the messages you received? Why or why not?
• Do any of these realities impact your sense of the morality of any particular reproductive path or action?
• What does all of this information tell you about the cultural value of women and people assigned female at birth: their bodies, labor, and lives as whole people?

Think about this exercise overall and what you learned from Fact Sheet 6.1 —Reproduction Realities. Take 5 minutes to journal using the following prompts. This is just for you and will not be shared.

• What are your key personal takeaways from this module so far?
• What is sticking with you and why?
• What messages have you internalized, and how have they impacted you?
• Do you still live with those messages, or have you transformed them? If you have transformed, how did you go through that process? What informed that change?

Religious Perspectives on abortion and Reproductive Justice

1. Unitarian Universalist Statement on Reproductive Justice
2. Hindu Perspective on Reproductive Choice — Religious Community for Reproductive Choice
3. Judaism and Abortion Guide — National Council of Jewish Women
4. Muslim Perspective on Reproductive Choice — Religious Community for Reproductive Choice
5. Buddhist Perspective on Reproductive Choice — Religious Community for Reproductive Choice
6. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Statement on Affirming Reproductive Justice — 2022 PC-Biz
7. You Are Not Alone: Affirmation for Catholics Who Choose Abortion — Catholics for Choice
8. Your own community or religious tradition

Each group should be prepared to respond to these prompts:

1. Briefly summarize the tradition’s stance on sexuality/and or reproductive health care.
2. Where do you see the influence of or reaction to systems of oppression (sexism, patriarchy, racism, homophobia, classism, etc.)?
3. On the surface, can you identify ways this tradition’s views support Reproductive Justice and liberation?
4. How is this tradition’s perspective similar to or different from your own?

• Prepare your RJ Show & Tell item.
• Journal and reflect on the following questions:
  • Considering all that we have learned so far, especially the Reproductive Realities and Moralities, are there places that you still feel stuck in shame or stigma?
  • What inner work do you need to do in order to be a proud Reproductive Justice advocate?
  • How might you engage some of that shift internally or in your community?

Alternative Closing:

Offer a prayer or reading from your own tradition or select one from the bank found on the Resource Page.