Abortion

Can a Christian be involved in ABORTION

The Issues

—  The state of abortion in RSA

—  When does life begin?

—  Is the foetus a life of its own or just part of the mother’s body?

—  Does anyone have the right to take an innocent life?

—  Does the Bible give clear guidance on the issue of abortion?

—  What about contraceptives?

—  What if I’ve had an abortion?

Abortion in RSA

—  Up to 12 weeks – abortion on demand

—  13-20 weeks abortion on demand if:

¡  Mother’s health is at risk

¡  Baby has abnormalities

¡  Pregnancy due to incest

¡  Pregnancy due to rape

¡  In the mother’s own opinion her economic or social situation gives her reason to abort

—  Under 18 – advised but not forced to consult parents

—  Married / “Life partner” – advised but not forced to consult

 

Forms of abortion in RSA

—  Morning after pill

—  Abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) – cause detachment from uterus and “evacuation”.

—  Suction aspiration (5-12 weeks)

—  Dilation and curettage (which is also used for other non-abortion reasons)

—  Dilation and evacuation (scraping, forceps and suction)

When does a human life begin?

—  “In biology and medicine it is an accepted fact that the life of any individual organism reproducing sexually begins at conception.” Prof Matthews-Roth (Harvard University)

—  “By all the criteria of  modern molecular biology, life is present from the moment of conception.” Prof. Hymie Gordon (Mayo Clinic)

—  “There is one fact that no-one can deny; human beings begin at conception.” Landrum B. Shettles M.D. Ph.D

—  “In any event, it is an embryological reality, which no embryology textbook on earth denies, that at the moment of fertilization a new human being is formed.” Fritz Baumgartner, MD 

—  The Hippocratic Oath states, “I will not give to a woman an instrument to produce abortion. With purity and holiness I will pass my life and practice my art.” The Hippocratic Oath, explicitly and implicitly, eliminates abortion as an option.

 

Is the foetus part of the mother?

—  “The foetus is not a passive, dependent, nerveless, fragile vegetable, as tradition held, but a young human being, dynamic, resilient … Throughout pregnancy it is the mother, not the foetus, who is passive.”  Prof. A.W. Liley

—  “So distinct is an embryo from a mother’s womb that if a fertilized ovum from a black couple is transplanted into a white mother, she will have a black baby.” Geisler; Christian ethics

—  There is no such thing as a potentially living organism.

 

 

Do we have the right to take an innocent life?

—  Exodus 20:13 – “You shall not murder”

—  The only commands to take human life in Scripture are when it is a punishment for a heinous crime / offence.

—  Remember Genesis 9:5-6

God recognizes human life within the womb

—  The same Hebrew (yeled) and Greek (brephos) words are used to describe children, infants and unborn babies.

—  God Himself relates to the unborn as persons; e.g. Ps. 139:13-16, Job 10: 8 & 12, Job 31:15

—  God has plans for individuals while they are still in the womb – Jeremiah 1:5

Causing a miscarriage was criminal

—  “Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman’s husband demands and the judges approve. But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.” Exodus 21:22-25

All human life belongs to God

—  Ezekiel 18:4 “Behold all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine.”

—  We have no right to take human life except when instructed by God (Exodus 20:13)

 

We are called to speak for the speechless

—  “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” Proverbs 31:8

—  “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.” Psalm 82:3

—  “Rescue those being led away to death.; hold back those staggering towards slaughter.” Prov. 24:11

God condemns profit from shedding innocent blood

—  “But your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, and on shedding innocent blood …” Jeremiah 22:17

—  “It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.” Matthew 18:14

 

What about contraception?

—  Some contraceptives are abortifacients – they work by causing early-term abortions:

¡  The IUD prevents a fertilized egg from implanting on the uterine wall;

¡  The RU-486 (“morning after”) pill aborts the new foetus.

—  Contraceptives can also promote a life-style of promiscuity / sexual immorality by preventing physical consequences. Ironically more contraception in a community leads to more abortions.

—  See www.prolifephysicians.org for a balanced article and further links to scholarly articles

 

What if I’ve had an abortion?

—  Up to 91% of women who have abortions suffer from post-abortion trauma. Common symptoms are:

¡  Guilt

¡  Anxiety

¡  Psychological numbing

¡  Depression

¡  Flashbacks

¡  Survivor guilt

¡  Self-abusive behaviours

—  Please go for counselling at a Centre like Zoe Life Centre or your Church.

—  If YOU are repentant, confess to the Lord and receive His forgiveness.

—  “The Lord is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate.” (Nehemiah 9:17)

—  “You are forgiving and good, o Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Psalm 86:5)

—  “I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)