A new religiously affiliated pregnancy clinic opened up last month on campus, which has some students wondering whether or not a religious clinic is the best place to go for pregnancy advice. Most pregnancy help centers have the reputation of putting the child's needs first, instead of the mother's needs, says a representative from Volunteer Medical.

This could discourage some students from going to a religiously based clinic.

Many students who become pregnant, or have concerns that they might be pregnant, are ashamed to go to a clinic that is pro-life because they feel guilty about the life choices they have made, according to a handout at the Volunteer Medical Clinic.

These students don't want someone talking down to them because they are pregnant.

But the new pregnancy help clinic insists even though they are pro-life they don't pressure students into making a decision that might be wrong for them.

The new clinic is located on Melrose Avenue two doors down from Gus's Good Times Deli and was set up by the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They accept appointments and walk-ins.

The clinic was opened to provide free Sexually Transmitted Disease testing and pregnancy testing, as well as pregnancy advice to the general public and University of Tennessee students. The clinic director said they don't pass judgment on anyone who comes in seeking help, but they are a pro-life clinic, and they incorporate the bible into their help sessions.

The non-profit clinic discusses spiritual principles as well as having each person fill out a survey accounting their religious views and moral principles, including whether or not they go to church, and what being a Christian means to them.

This step might be overwhelming for some students.

"I don't want other people to know my religious views," UT student Lauren Hall said. "It isn't any of their business. I want to be given advice on being pregnant, not whether or not I'm going to hell because I decided to have premarital sex. I don't think I could ever walk into a religiously affiliated clinic."

The clinic only gives advice. It doesn't give out any forms of contraceptives including condoms, because it teaches the Catholic viewpoint of abstinence.

"I figured that all pregnancy help clinics would give out condoms to students who wanted them," UT student Rich Phelan said. "That makes me think that they don't have a realistic view of how students view life. Trying to make all students abstain from sex is just plain crazy. If I really needed advice, I wouldn't ask people that have that type of attitude."

However, some students think that a religiously based clinic is the best place to receive advice.

"If my girlfriend was pregnant, I would want her to talk to someone who has the same morals as we do," UT student Matt Warren said. "It would be helpful to have spiritual guidance in our time of need, because I know we would both be feeling really lost and helpless."

The new clinic is a great place to go for advice if you are a religious person, according to one of the main counselors at the clinic. "Our purpose here is to provide students with the best religious advice possible when they are in a difficult situation."

The clinic holds workshops for pregnant women, and can help women who are having trouble supporting their child financially.

"At the clinic, once you decide to keep the baby, we can set you up with organizations such as TennCare and Wic," a counselor said. "These organizations can help you out with baby products such as food, diapers, and clothing. We can also set you up with food stamps if you need additional help. There is always a way to finance a baby."

Knoxville has other clinics that can provide you with help if you are not a religious person.

One of these clinics is Volunteer Medical located on North Concord Road. This clinic provides STD testing, pregnancy advice, and also performs ultrasounds and abortions.

You must make an appointment in advance. The clinic is also open to the general community as well as students.

Volunteer Medical is not religiously affiliated in any way. They let the woman decide what is best for her according to the representative.

"It's not up to the boyfriend, the mother, the father or the best friend, it's up to the woman to decide whether or not she wants to keep her baby," a Volunteer Medical representative said.

When asked about the new clinic that opened up near campus, the representative had several opinions. Volunteer Medical feels that if a clinic leaves the decision up to the mother, then they are legitimate.

They feel that when clinics begin to pressure young women into having a baby, even if she is unable to care for it, they aren't giving the women good advice.

"Clinics like that will try to move the sun, earth, moon, and stars in order for someone not to have an abortion," the representative said. "That shouldn't be the way to go about things, even if you are a religious person. People should be able to make their own decisions without having to feel guilty about the mistakes they have made."

Everyone has to make up his or her own mind about which type of clinic to go to for advice. Hopefully you now have some idea of which type of clinic will be more helpful to you if you ever find yourself in this type of situation.

The new clinic on campus is looking for volunteers. Students are able to complete up to 40 hours of classroom training.

There are also volunteer positions that don't require training. For more information you can call the 24-hour help line: 877-990-HOPE (4673).

If you need to contact Volunteer Medical they are open Monday through Friday 9:00 to 5:30, and Saturdays 8:00-1:00. They can also be reached by phone: (865) 522-5173