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Welcome to RCRC's Religion & Repro Learning Center page.
What is it?
The Religion & Repro Learning Center is an online venue for education, analysis, strategy development, and interdisciplinary resources to equip religious leaders, scholars, and social activists in support of reproductive freedom.
This innovative Learning Center brings into conversation leading experts in religion, justice movements, and a cross-section of academic disciplines, including history, law, ethics, and medicine, to help frame the learning.
Who is it for?
Everyone! Setting itself apart from some of our past educational initiatives, the Religion & Repro Learning Center has been crafted with the broader public in mind. While those in the fields of activism, ministry, academia, and healthcare will find materials that empower their work, anyone with an interest in learning more about these topics is welcome and encouraged to make use of the Learning Center.
For those who want to work for a society of justice and compassion—this is our fight.
Why did we build it?
The fight for reproductive freedom, human dignity, and justice requires justice advocates to be educated, equipped, and prepared. We must be:
- Educated about the implications of religiously-framed oppressive tactics used historically
- Equipped with the skills needed to cultivate a more just and compassionate society
- Prepared to engage in effective allyships, partnerships, and collaborations needed for social transformation
The Learning Center offers a program of courses, small group discussions, skills practice groups, a library of resources for registered students, and a free webinar series for the public.
~ We just launched in early 2021~
Anyone, at any time, can access our materials from anywhere in the world.
Learn at your own pace.
Upcoming Webinars
NEXT SEASON OF LEARNING CENTER WEBINARS COMING SUMMER 2021
Past Webinars
Pregnancy Shaming in Religion and Culture
Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 4.00pm EST
Pregnancy shaming. It was done to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the ancient biblical story. It is done today to countless individuals when they are pregnant and unmarried, have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to full-term, choose not to have children, or choose to become pregnant or parent in ways that do not comply with prescribed religious or cultural expectations.
Join RCRC as we have a conversation among clergywomen Brandee Mimitzraiem, Shannon Sullivan, and Cari Jackson, with Katey Zeh as moderator, as they share their own stories of pregnancy-related shaming.
Racist Benevolence: Reproductive Oppression of Indigenous Communities
Tuesday, Jan 27, 2021, 4.00pm EST
Throughout U.S. history, Indigenous American culture has been under siege, and much of the attack has been made against the reproductive lives of Native women. Under the guise (or in the name) of “making lives better”, Native women have been subjected to coerced sterilization, denied access to reproductive health care, had their children adopted away from their families, and more.
Join in this important conversation with anthropologist Susan Harness and historians Prof. Brianna Theobald and Prof. Margaret Jacobs as they present an overview of the harms perpetrated, measures that have been taken to address said harm, and what else must be done moving forward.
Property and Products: Reproductive Oppression of African Americans
Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 4 pm EST
Throughout U.S. history, theological arguments have been used to deprive women of their full personhood and reproductive autonomy. This has been and continues to be an overwhelming reality in the lives of African Americans. From rape and forced pregnancy during slavery to forced sterilization to rerstricted access to reproductive health care to ignored high rates of pregnancy-related deaths, make it clear that the bodies of black women continue to be regarded and property and their offspring as products.
Join RCRC for this critical conversation between historian Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens and biblical scholar Dr. Cheryl B. Anderson.
Christian Women in the Anti-Abortion Movement
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 4 pm EST
Many progressives are confounded and frustrated by the critical role Christian women have played in limiting the reproductive rights of all women. In this webinar, we will peer behind the curtain of the anti-abortion movement to the explore roots of Catholic and Evangelical cultures that have shaped the devout political stances of women who fight against other women’s reproductive freedom and dignity as a major way to express their faith.
Join RCRC for this historical analysis, presented by historians Jennifer Holland and Chrissy Stroop, who will provide much-needed insight into this reality and enable a powerful path forward for interrupting the anti-abortion movement.
Abortion Wars Post-Roe
Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 4.00pm EST
While the issue of abortion has been debated in the U.S. across the centuries, not until the 1970s and 1980s did it take on a religiously polarizing approach. Not until these past four decades have religious groups developed anti-abortion beliefs into a formidable political movement that includes withholding tax dollars for reproductive health care, stalking and even killing opponents, and seeking elected office on anti-abortion campaigns.
Join RCRC, Mary Ziegler, and Gill Frank as we explore how the anti-abortion movement was shaped and what progressive religious communities and individuals can and should do now.
The Adoption Industry: Hidden Stories
Tuesday, Feb 3, 2021, 4 pm EST
In the 1960s, the majority of Roman Catholic bishops almost voted to permit contraception–then something changed.
These days, the Catholic Church vehemently regards all contraceptive methods as contrary to the Church pro-life stance. While these teachings are proclaimed by the Catholic hierarchy, Catholic women nonetheless use contraception at the same rates of non-Catholic women.
Join RCRC for an insightful discussion as historian Elaine Tyler May and Catholics for Choice president Jamie Manson explore the theology and politics of Catholic opposition to contraception. This important conversation will be moderated by ethicist Kate Ott.
Contraception: The Catholic Controversy
Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 4 pm EST
In the 1960s, the majority of Roman Catholic bishops almost voted to permit contraception–then something changed.
These days, the Catholic Church vehemently regards all contraceptive methods as contrary to the Church pro-life stance. While these teachings are proclaimed by the Catholic hierarchy, Catholic women nonetheless use contraception at the same rates of non-Catholic women.
Join RCRC for an insightful discussion as historian Elaine Tyler May and Catholics for Choice president Jamie Manson explore the theology and politics of Catholic opposition to contraception. This important conversation will be moderated by ethicist Kate Ott.
Legislative Sausage-Making and Reproductive Justice
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 4 pm EST
State legislatures are at the center of both reproductive oppression and justice. Oppressive bills are being introduced, passed, and replicated across states. Completely ignoring freedom of religion, these bills are used by anti-abortionists as test balloons and decoys for court decisions. Many rightwing legislators have deep, hidden connections with organizations like Citizens United and Right to Life, hiding dark money from big business.
Join RCRC and Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) for a revealing conversation with state legislators who support reproductive freedom. Learn about the behind-the-scenes tactics used to enact anti-abortion legislation, as well as potential advocacy strategies that can be used to counteract these tactics. Discuss how people of faith and all justice advocates can help break out of a too-often defensive legislative posture and instead, proactively engage with legislators to create a robust, pro-faith and pro-reproductive freedom movement. Our special guest panelists include Rep. Athena Salman (AZ), Sen. John Marty (MN), and Rep. Maurice A. West II (IL), with Nancy Northup (CRR President) moderating.
Preview Our First Courses
Course 1.
History of Religion and Reproductive Ecosystem
Understand the evolution of the religious, medical, legislative and social ecosystem of reproductive healthcare and the holistic strategies needed for effective advocacy today.
Course 2.
Religious and Spiritual
Literacy
Expand your knowledge about diverse religious traditions, practices, and beliefs and their impact on decision-making of those who can become pregnant, along with institutions who seek to control all aspects of reproduction.
Course 3.
Compassionate Care for Reproductive Decisions and Loss
Strengthen skills to provide compassionate care for individuals facing reproductive decisions and losses in keeping with their (and not the care provider’s) values, resources and life experiences, and faith traditions.
Course 4.
Cultivating Compassionate Communities
Develop strategies to cultivate allyships for systemic change work across spiritual, workplace, school, or neighborhood communities.