On behalf of Care Net, a national network of crisis pregnancy centers, LifeWay Research surveyed more than 1,000 American women who have terminated one or more of their pregnancies.

Here’s what evangelicals and churchgoers, defined as those attending church once a month or more, as well as all women who have had abortions, said:

Church Attendance at Time of First Abortion

2 in 3 evangelicals were attending monthly or more. [Note: "Evangelicals" based on self-identification.]

Judgment vs. Care

Both churchgoers and non-churchgoers equally reported receiving or expecting reactions from local churches that were "judgmental" (1 in 3) or "condemning" (1 in 4).

But churchgoers were much more likely than non-attenders to report or expect reactions that were "caring" (31% vs. 7%), "helpful" (28% vs. 7%), "loving" (25% vs. 6%), and "informative" (17% vs. 5%).

Still, less than one-third of churchgoers said they received or expected such positive reactions from their local church.

Reaction of Local Church (Received or Expected)

In the Secret, Quiet Place

52% of churchgoers say no one at church knows they terminated a pregnancy.

38% say someone at church does know (including 55% of evangelicals).

10% don't know if someone at church knows or not.

Who Churchgoers Were Most Likely to Consult

Of note: Evangelicals were significantly more likely than non-evangelicals to consult their mother before aborting (40% vs. 31%). Churchgoers were unlikely to consult their local church (16%) or a crisis pregnancy care center (9%).

Who Was Most Influential on Decision to Abort:

Influence of the Local Church

Those who said local churches had "no ...

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