The UMC position is pro-life
Well, that’s not what the official position, as stated in the Social Principles in the Book of Discipline says.
“Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection.”
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732
While that is certainly more restrictive than the current status-quo, it is not a rejection of abortion outside of instances where the mother’s life is in jeopardy.
Unconditionally rejected as a means of gender selection, but only not affirmed as a means of birth control? How can that make sense to anyone? It’s not a logically or theologically consistent position.
The UMC position is decidedly not Pro-Life.
The Council of Bishops, the final source of authority in the UMC, has consistently and forcefully supported Roe v Wade.
The leadership of the UMC views itself as distinctly leftist politically. For more than 50 years they have worked assiduously to rid the denomination of conservatism in all its forms, especially charisma, Biblical literalism and Christ only salvation.
UMC members typically do not believe in the official social positions of their church. This is a denomination gone so badly awry that it can no longer be considered Christian.
I our state the UMC had a lobbyist whose job it is is to make sure abortion is not restricted in any way. The lobbyist was also a Methodist minister.