Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion in Ten World Religions.Sacred Choices: The Right to Contraception and Abortion in Ten World Religions. By Daniel C. Maguire. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001. 150 pages. Paper. $13.00. Daniel C. Maguire, Professor of Ethics at Marquette University Marquette University at Milwaukee, Wis.; Jesuit; coeducational; chartered 1864, opened 1881. The school achieved university status in 1907. Among its graduate programs are those in business, engineering, and law. and President of the Religious Consultation on Population, Reproductive Health Within the framework of WHO's definition of health[1] as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene and Ethics, uses this work to comb life-affirming stories in the world's major religions. He brings together experts in Roman Catholicism Roman Catholicism Largest denomination of Christianity, with more than one billion members. The Roman Catholic Church has had a profound effect on the development of Western civilization and has been responsible for introducing Christianity in many parts of the world. , Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Islam, Protestantism, and Native American spirituality to speak on the historical as well as the contemporary perspectives concerning women, contraception, and abortion. "Historically, women have been the principal cherishers and caretakers of life. We can trust them with these decisions. This book shows that the world's religions urge us to do so" (p. xiii). Maguire also emphasizes that religious beliefs have the ability to mature and grow: "Nothing survives that cannot adapt to change, including the world's religions" (p. 94). By this he means that certain beliefs of a particular religion are capable of reevaluating themselves to coexist co·ex·ist intr.v. co·ex·ist·ed, co·ex·ist·ing, co·ex·ists 1. To exist together, at the same time, or in the same place. 2. with changing culture, without losing its truths. If all Maguire wanted to do was talk about sacred choices, he could have done it in half the number of pages, because these topics only get play in the last quarter of each chapter. A very large portion of the book is written to explain each world's religion in ways that highlight and promote the author's agenda. Therefore, although I appreciate his passion and remarks, at times I think his explanations are underdeveloped un·der·de·vel·oped adj. Not adequately or normally developed; immature. . Janelle Rozek Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its degree programs include Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy. |
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