Virginia Christian Clergy Urge Defunding of Planned Parenthood

Dozens of Virginia's most influential Christian leaders, including Rev. Pat Robertson and Rev. Jonathan Falwell, have signed a petition to the state's governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general asking them to take steps to cut off state funds that go to Planned Parenthood. AP reported yesterday that the petition presented by the Virginia Christian Alliance complained that Planned Parenthood provides abortions. It accused the organization of "unethical, immoral and racist practices." Pastors cite a quotation from the 1939 book written by Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, who supported the now-discredited theory of eugenics. Planned Parenthood says this does not represent its values today. It is unclear how much Planned Parenthood receives in state funds.