Abortion
ABORTION
Abortion is the interruption and termination in the growth process of an embryo or fetus. Abortion is voluntary when it is induced and carried out with or without the help of medical practitioners; and involuntary when it occurs naturally like in a miscarriage without any exterior human intervention. So alarming are the facts and figures that “a mass pre-natal infanticide” is a just term to describe the practice.
The topic of abortion has fuelled heated debates around the world resulting in various nations adopting different policies on the subject. While some nations have legalized abortion, others have completely forbidden the practice altogether. Nations like
In other parts of the world social pressures act as the main catalyst for the eviction of unborn babies. Prominent are girls of school going age who realize their pregnancy only a month or two later. Fearing to have their education interrupted, an abortion seems to be the easy way out. Sex workers are also known to undertake this practice so as not to disrupt the unholy means by which they make money. Equally for economic reasons, and fearing to be single parents, many people find abortion to be an easy option. But as pathetic as these facts might be, are they enough to justify the elimination of human life in this manner? We know the enormous health risks, emotional distresses and social breakdown that are experienced in the process and aftermath of an abortion.
If embryos and fetuses possess living characteristics i.e. they feed, move, grow etc, then destroying them would be killing them. And if human life begins in embryonic form, then destroying them would be committing murder. It is the duty of the human community to protect human life especially those of the vulnerable. But the far weightier consideration is the divine verdict on the issue.
Abortion from the biblical perspective is not only immoral but a terrible crime. It is a sin of blood. It is murder. Human life begins at conception and should be protected at all levels of its existence. In biblical times, abortion was purely unthought-of. The only biblical comparison I can see compatible with our modern day abortion was the ancient pagan practice of child sacrifices made to idol gods. This practice was so wicked that it constituted one of the reasons why God destroyed the Canaanites and gave their land to the Jews (Deut 18:10-12).
Abortion is justified only when the mother’s life is at risk as a result of her pregnancy. Here, induced abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. Abortion is equally justified in cases where serious deformities have been detected in the unborn fetus. Abortion is equally necessary here to save the child from a life of severe emotional and physical pain. The Bible says “every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James1:17).
Despite the numerous sympathetic reasons given as excuses for abortion, the practice still remains a terrible crime against God and humanity. Before indulging in any sexual activity, the partners (especially the female) should think of the consequences in case there is a pregnancy. Abstention is necessary for the unmarried; as well as other modern birth control techniques should be applied by those not wiling to have a baby at the wrong time. It should not be easier to go in for an abortion than to learn and practice birth control techniques.
For those who have their hands stained with the blood of the unborn, they should seek the forgiveness of God through the atoning blood of Christ. Apart from serious health reasons, there is no justification for abortion. Instead of governments spending money on abortion and its consequences, they should direct their efforts and resources on matured and responsible sex education.
We all have the right to make choices. And in deed, we do make very important choices in life. We decide whom to marry, where to live, what career path to follow, and even whether or not to receive God’s gift of salvation. But one area where we don’t have a right of choice is whether to commit murder. The pro-choice argument is both ironic and illogical to say the least. We don’t independently or even collectively choose to kill. Of course, nations go to war in a view of pursuing a just cause by either achieving liberty or defending justice. But in the gruesome killing of millions of innocent, defenseless and harmless unborn babies, no cause is being defended. Mothers are responsible in every way for the unborn embryo and fetus they carry in their wombs in the same way as they are responsible for the child’s safety and upbringing when he or she is born. Abortion is a crime against humanity as it is against God. Abortion should be discouraged by every available active means.
To better understand how heaven considers abortion, freely read the little book titled My Personal Experiences in Heaven. It is available in the Zion Gospel link.