Over 180 companies say abortion ban is 'bad for business' - pro-lifers disagree

H&M and Ben and Jerry's are among over 180 companies that have signed an open letter calling abortion bans "bad for business". 

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has also added his name to the letter published in The New York Times on Monday. 

The letter titled "Don't Ban Equality" says restrictions on abortion threaten the health of employees. 

It states that it is "time for companies to stand up for reproductive healthcare". 

"Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health, independence and economic stability of our employees and customers," the letter reads.

"Simply put, it goes against our values and is bad for business."

It adds, "The future of gender equality hangs in the balance, putting our families, communities, businesses and the economy at risk." 

The letter follows moves in Alabama, Missouri and Georgia to ban abortions unless there is serious risk to the mother's health.

But pro-lifers have criticised the businesses for coming down on the side of abortion. 

Pro-Life Action League tweeted: "You know what's REALLY bad for business? Literally killing people. First comes moral suicide, followed by intellectual suicide, and then economic suicide."

March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said: "How is protecting the inherent dignity of the human person from the moment of conception 'bad for business'?

"Perhaps the better question is what is the 'value' of human life to these business leaders?"

Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, said it was not "healthcare" to end the lives of unborn babies. 

"So it's 'better for business' to kill off future generations of customers? Murdering a child in the womb isn't, has never been, and will never be, 'healthcare,'" she said. 

Republican Senator Marco Rubio accused the businesses of double standards.

"170 CEOs sign letter calling abortion a 'human right' & condemning laws passed by democratically elected U.S. legislatures," he tweeted. "Ironically they have no problem doing business with serial human rights violating authoritarians all over the world."

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.