Are Blackbaud.com values compatible with Christian, Pro-Life Values?
This brief report is to highlight what Pro Life Payments believes are incompatibilities between Blackbaud’s published positions and Christian, pro-life positions. Blackbaud.com says they are “The world’s leading cloud software company powering social good.”[1] “Blackbaud’s higher purpose is “to help good take over the world.”’[2] After research, Blackbaud’s definition of “good” seems to be dramatically different than the Christian definition of good.
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18“Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” – Matthew 19:16-19
Blackbaud.com Incorporates UN Right to Abortions and Transgenderism
Blackbaud.com has incorporated the United Nations’ definitions of good into its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies. “Blackbaud supports the human rights principles contained in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Global Compact, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.”[3]
By marrying its corporate policies with the UN, Blackbaud.com identifies abortion access and transgenderism as human rights. Furthermore, “The Company will not tolerate human rights violations.”[4] An important question would seem to be what are the assurances Blackbaud.com will continue to provide services for customers who do not affirm or who work against the categories they believe are human rights.
Abortion as a Human Right
The United Nations (UN) has recognized access to reproductive healthcare as a fundamental human right. This includes the right to access family planning services, safe and legal abortion services, and other reproductive health services.
In 1994, the UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) affirmed the right of all individuals to have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. The ICPD Program of Action stated that “reproductive rights embrace certain human rights that are already recognized in national laws, international human rights documents and other consensus documents.”[5]
In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include a commitment to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This includes access to family planning services, as well as the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and other reproductive health services.
In addition, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has recognized access to reproductive healthcare as a component of the right to health, which is protected under international human rights law.
However, access to reproductive healthcare services continues to be limited in many parts of the world, particularly for women and girls. The UN continues to work towards promoting and protecting access to reproductive healthcare services as a fundamental human right for all individuals.
Affirming Gender Identity as a Human Right
Blackbaud.com provides “Gender Confirmation benefits”[6]
The United Nations (UN) has made several statements regarding gender identity and human rights.
In 2011, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a report entitled “Discriminatory Laws and Practices and Acts of Violence against Individuals Based on their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” The report stated that “human rights are universal, and sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of human beings that cannot be separated from other aspects of their personality or identity.” The report also called for an end to discrimination and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include a commitment to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The SDGs recognize the importance of addressing gender-based discrimination and violence, including against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Additionally, in 2016, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was appointed. The role of the Independent Expert is to promote and protect the human rights of individuals who face discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In conclusion, the UN has taken a strong stance on the issue of gender identity and human rights, and has recognized the importance of promoting and protecting the human rights of individuals who face discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
[1] https://www.blackbaud.com/
[2] https://cms.blackbaudcdn.net/media/docs/default-source/policies/human-rights.pdf?sfvrsn=e35aeed5_9
[3] https://cms.blackbaudcdn.net/media/docs/default-source/policies/human-rights.pdf?sfvrsn=e35aeed5_9
[4] Code of Conduct https://investor.blackbaud.com/static-files/bf9c3696-073d-4ca2-b0e6-0128082792d5?_ga=2.60258605.1838406198.1682181984-1140667140.1682181984
[5] ICPD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Conference_on_Population_and_Development#cite_note-6
[6] https://csr.blackbaud.com/esg/2021-topics/