When does life begin? Is abortion always wrong? What about women’s rights? Is abortion a sin? Can God forgive and heal those hurt by abortion? These and other questions like them swirl around the topic of abortion. This subject is one of the hot button issues of our times. It generates strong views and heated emotions. It divides multitudes in our world today.
GOD LOVES YOU
Before I delve into the details. Let me assure you, God loves you.
If you are reading this and are suffering as a result of abortion, let me assure you I am not here to judge. I am here to help. As a Bible following Christian I do believe abortion is a sin. It is wrong. I also believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again to forgive us for our sins and to set us free from the terrible toll they sometimes take on us. I have committed sins too numerous and too terrible to ever stand in condemnation of another. Yet God has forgiven and healed me. He will do the same for you, if you ask.
Many people are ready to help you, if you will reach out. You are not alone. Many wonderful people stand willing to hug you and counsel you through this devastating grief. Avail yourself of the many wonderful resources online. DON’T SUFFER A MOMENT LONGER. Help and love is available. You can heal and move beyond abortion.
As a man, shouldn’t I stay out of the conversation? Not any more than a woman should exclude herself from any moral discourse of our time. Besides, the things I share are the thoughts and feelings of millions of women worldwide. It seems I am only echoing the sentiments of others.
DEFINITIONS
A person who is pro abortion might describe it as “the termination of a pregnancy.” Pregnancy might be defined as “a state a female finds herself in when the products of conception have begun to multiply at the cellular level and implanted on the uterine wall.” Scientifically accurate for sure, and dehumanising the event just as surely. An anti abortion advocate will probably refer to “wombs” and unborn “babies.”
All sides of the debate agree abortion is a highly sensitive and emotional issue. Pro choice folks insist that ‘a woman has a right to choose’ and should be left alone to deal with the difficult decision. Pro lifers insist that the unborn have rights that women should not take away. All argue their position with red hot righteous passion. Each side thinks it occupies the moral high ground.
WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN?
Why the emotion? I can think of only one other ‘medical procedure’ that invokes such strong feelings. That is gender reassignment for minors. I can’t imagine anyone protesting outside a dental clinic demanding that a rotten tooth be given its ‘right’ to ‘live’ in someone else’s body. When a surgeon removes a malignant tumour from a person’s abdomen so they could move on with their life, does anyone feel a sense of loss and grief?
Why the strong emotions and opinions when it comes to this medical procedure? I think modern science must be blamed. As a modern educated society we all know this issue is quite literally a life and death issue. It is an indisputable fact of science that life begins at conception. The moment the egg and sperm combine a unique human individual comes into existence. With favourable circumstances, nutrition and time this will be apparent to all.
When a sexually active woman does not want a unique human life to appear over time, the fact that she has missed her “period” is met with trepidation. Equally when a sexually active woman has been ‘trying for a baby’ a ‘missed period’ is met with great joy.
So scientifically and practically every pregnancy, results in a new life that grows and develops unless something stops it.
If the new life is unexpected or unwanted it might be an inconvenience. It could potentially cause unpleasant emotions. It could put paid to plans or at least put them on hold. It could also cause embarrassment in some cases.
So pregnancy results in another human being coming into existence. This why those not wanting that life are forced to terminate it. If life is to be stopped it must be taken. The life must die. Now we see why abortion is a problem to everyone on all sides of the issue. No person (short of a psychopath) is comfortable taking a human life. It goes against everything in the human soul.
To soften the blow the pro abortion side uses euphemisms to describe both the pregnancy and the new human being. They also feel compelled to justify abortion. ‘Justify’ means to make it right. Hence ‘greater rights’ are invoked. Things like, ‘it is a woman’s right to choose what happens to her body,’ and ‘it would be a worse thing if a child was born into poverty.’
Those opposed to abortion feel they must act, in the face of reality. They must speak out in defence of the new life.
A WOMAM’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE
Surely a woman has the right to do with her own body what she wants? Surely a woman can make a decision that will make her life happy and fulfilling? YES and AMEN. But not in the case of abortion. Doing what she wants in this case will harm a seperate individual.
If a woman decides to do what she wants with her own body it is nobody’s business but her own. Sometimes. If a woman decides to strap a fire cracker to her body and walk into a kindergarten and light it (or something worse), well that is her business. Is this example absurd to you. I think it is no more absurd than abortion.
ABORTION HAS MANY VICTIMS
Two human beings present for every abortion procedure. Usually only one survives. Sometimes both die. Very rarely (depending on the timing and the type of procedure) both survive.
Abortion creates more problems than it solves. It hurts multiple parties. God, the author of life, is hurt by it. He loves every life that comes into being and wants that life to flourish.
Those making the decision to abort and those helping to carry it out are hurt by it. They commit the sin of murder. God defines murder as taking innocent life. Those committing this sin are under the judgement of a holy God!
Loved ones are also hurt by abortion. Fathers, grandparents, aunts, sisters, and so on, all suffer. They loose a baby in the family when a woman exercises this ‘right.’
Even society is damaged by abortion. Every aborted child is one less member to add their contribution to the world.
IS ABORTION OKAY IN THE CASE OF RAPE AND INCEST
I cannot imagine the horror of rape and/or incest. I doubt if anyone can who has not been through them.
So can God expect a woman/girl who becomes pregnant due to rape or incest, to carry it to full term? He can and He does. It would be unimaginably horrific to be the victim of rape or incest. The horror would be magnified if a pregnancy resulted. To add destroying an innocent life to the mix, cannot make it better. Instead, it adds one more layer of horror.
THE ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION
There are many alternatives to termination of pregnancy. A Google search will help you find ministries and services in your area to assist you.
HOPE BEYOND ABORTION
God has hope for all those affected by abortion. The answer to this sin is the same answer to every sin. It is forgiveness and restoration in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection has made God’s grace and mercy available for you. In your pain and suffering God is reaching out to you. Reach out for Him. Your sin and shame will be taken away as you confess your wrong doing, turn to Him and live in a new relationship with Him.
The Bible, a local Church near you, individual Christians, and Christian counsellors are all willing and available to help. You are valued. Reach for Help.