Ethics & Worldview: Abortion
Let's begin with a video that features both sides of the debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMEZi345niw
New York State has approved legislation to legalize abortion
up through the third trimester. The governor gladly lit up the New York skies in a pink celebration.
Not living in that state, I wonder… would I
have known about this if the same law was proposed in Florida? Would I care, and would I even do something
about it? How did we get to the place where the crowd shouts for joy with the signing
of this legislation into law? All for a political advantage? The
self-centeredness of our politicians is over the top. What of the baby
involved? Who speaks for this baby? Why is the conversation just about the “woman’s
right”? A contributor to the 8pm news program on Fox was adamant today that “we
will not let men tell us what to do with our bodies.” Wow! Again, who speaks
for the baby? Think of the little kid who’s been kicking and moving in mommy’s
womb, only to have his or her life taken at 39-41 weeks… This is crazy! Nothing
but infanticide. People, we need responsible government; not identity politics
bent self-centered people who have personal agendas.
The issue of Abortion remains a hot button issue to this day
even after the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in the United States Supreme
Courts back in 1973. It is clear to me now why the issue remains
so divisive. There are two sides to the argument – Those for abortion (Pro –
Choice) and those against (Pro – Life). The debate on Abortion has
extended into areas such as reproductive medical technology, stem cell research
and human cloning to name a few. At the core of the pro – choice movement is a
woman’s right to choose. The argument is that (1) A woman has the right to
do whatever she chooses with her own body , (2) making abortion illegal
will cause women to turn to the black market for alternatives which is dangerous
and backward (3) It will be especially hard for poor women (4) No one should be
forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy (5) No one should be forced to bring a
severely handicapped child into the world (6) Women should not be forced to
carry children resulting from rape, incest or abuse (7) Abortion laws
discriminate against poor women.
As a result of new information, I am convinced even more
that the Christian worldview makes it clear that humans are created in the
image of God and personhood begins at conception. This means that every
child has been given self-determination. God has intimate knowledge of the
unborn child and abortion “interrupts the sovereign work in the womb.” Abortion
is immoral as it is playing God because “in the womb from conception is a
person with the potential for development.”[1]
What should the Christian attitude be on this
issue?
The Christian worldview necessitates embracing the fact that
God is intimately involved in the affairs of His creation. He has revealed
His position in Scripture (Psalm 139, Job 3:3, Exodus 10:11, Deuteronomy 22:5).
We can know about ourselves through His created order and through special
revelation. Making decisions about life based on false notions like those of
the pro- choice movement creates a moral dilemma. While medical technology is a
gift from God to us, (God having given us the ability to discover and apply
knowledge,) and because we are made in the image of God (“essentially moral
beings,) we must bring moral categories to bear on our actions.”[2]
Therefore, not dismissing the arguments
of the pro-choice movement, we cannot and should not deny anyone the God given gift of
life. Abortion is just morally in-appropriate. It is the taking of life. We
don’t get to make those choices. Only the God who is prime reality sets the
appointed time for birth and death.
Application:
If you are a Christian living in America, this issue is not
about democrats, republicans or independents. This is about core Christian
beliefs. What is your position? Don’t get me wrong, there are circumstances
that require unique decisions; compassion must be part of the conversation.
However, understand that God is opposed to the pro-choice position, and so
should followers of Christ. What does God say about our existence? Job mused about the issue:
"You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer" (14:5).
"You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer" (14:5).
To have a Christian Worldview is to be Pro-Life. It is
a theistic position that fits into the Biblical position of Personhood. If
anything, Let’s be clear: “When abortion occurs, it involves not only
the termination of a pregnancy, but also the termination of the very work of
God in the womb.”[3]
Argue for the pro-life position; provide some comfort and possible
direction/support for the person leaning to abortion using the material on
Reproductive technology. And remember, adoption is a very good alternative. Blessings!
*** Check out a Conservative view on the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvaY_YqyBm4
[2]
James Sire, The Universe Next Door, (2009), 42.
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