My 60's hippy aunt, who I love dearly, asked me an great question the other day. She said, "Why wouldn't you, as a woman, want the right to choose (an abortion)?"
Here is my thoughtful response:
Let me assure you that I like my "rights" as much as the next person. Everyone wants rights. We are freedom-loving Americans, and on top of that, sinful people who naturally gravitate towards our own wants and desires. Never mind abortion, I'd like to have the "right to choose" certain freedoms not currently given to me by law! For example, I would like the right to shoot anyone who dares to harm one of my kids. I would like the right to slash the tires on the car of that incompetent accountant who "forgot" to file my income taxes. And I would really, really like the right to beat the living tar out of the neighborhood cats who continually poop in my kids' sandbox.
But naturally, I can't (and shouldn't) do whatever I might feel like doing. We all agree, no matter our religious or cultural backgrounds, that a code of moral ethics is necessary to life in a civilized society. The problem is that many people try to get by on "relative truth", i.e., "well, it's not right for me, but who am I to say it's not right for you?" But really, that is a bunch of malarky. Even if you say you believe that or think you believe that, you really don't. Let me give you an example:
Think back to the atrocities committed on 9/11. Did the hijackers responsible for the worst act of terror ever committed on American soil truly believe they were doing the right thing? Of course they did! They sacrificed their lives for it! Now, would you say that what they did was right???? Of course not! But who are you to inflict your personal beliefs on them? See my point?
What about relying solely on government to determine right from wrong? Just because something is "legal" does that make it "right"? In the 1940's, a German doctor could legally kill a Jew. Was it right? Moral beliefs have to be based on something other than subjective views. Otherwise, the world becomes scarily chaotic. As a Christian, I believe that God, who created all people in His image, gave us the Bible to be the moral compass for life. We need a compass, as "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." People are fallible. We are all in a position to misjudge right from wrong. The Bible says, "the heart is deceitfully wicked. Who could know it?"
So, getting back to my aunt's question. Why would I, as a woman, not want the right to choose? Simply put, I don't believe women have truly been given that right. Why? Because I base beliefs on a higher moral authority, God's Word. One of the ten commandments is "thou shall not murder". Does life begin at conception? Yes, it does. Scientists and doctors have long since confirmed this. Liberals know this, they just refuse to acknowledge it. Barack Obama's "it's above my pay grade" comment was his way of getting out of the question. He certainly knows when human life begins; if he were that ignorant, he wouldn't be qualified to be the president. Is the child in the womb a person? Once again, the answer is "yes"! (And if you are are one of those people who still buy the "it's blob of tissue" rhetoric, here's a website for you. Be forewarned, the images are disturbing.)
Both science and the Bible confirm the humanity of children in the womb. And while all murder is condemned, God particularly regards the shedding of innocent blood as heinous. (Deut. 19:10, Lev. 18:21). In fact, the prophets of Israel warned that the killing of children results in the devastating judgement of God on a society (Jeremiah 7:30-34).
"Well, ok", you may be thinking, "so maybe you have a point. But I am not comfortable with infringing other people's right to choose. It's not my business. And not everyone holds to the teachings of the Bible." True . . . and it is each person's perogative to believe what they want. But that doesn't mean they should be allowed to do whatever they want. Once again, morality cannot be relative! People need to be held accountable to something; our nation was traditionally founded on a Judeo-Christian principles. That was the intention of the founding Fathers. Think of it this way: if we were talking about a rape, would you say, "I don't think it is right, but I am not comfortable telling that guy he can't do that." Of course not! Why is abortion different? It is the violation of a human being! Consider the story of Giana Jessen, aborted at 7 months by saline abortion, and lived to tell about it . . .
ALL human beings are intrinsically valuable to God. We were created in His image, which means our worth far exceeds that of the animal kingdom. God ordains each person's life, and God who has the right to decide when that life should end. What frightens me about America today is that we have gotten to a place where there is such disregard for human life. I believe that abortion has contributed to this disrespect for personhood. I mean, if it is ok to kill a child in the womb, then is it really so bad to kill the same child after birth? Children are being killed by their own parents in record numbers, and walking away with a lenient punishments. Kids are shooting other kids because don't like something they said. People now shoot other people for merely cutting them off in traffic. "Why is this happening?" we often wonder. But is it really that surprising when we live in country who continues to promote the idea that human life is disposable? The problem is not guns, people! The problem is the hearts of the people who are carrying them!
Now, the question always comes up, even from my friends who are mostly prolife, "What do you think about abortion in cases of rape and incest?" First off, let me say this: only 2% of abortions are the result of rape and incest. 2%! Secondly, in the case of rape, there are medical procedures that thwart the chance of conception considerably. But in any case, I don't think there's a human being alive who wouldn't understand why a women might want to choose an abortion in those situations. In fact, at one time, using my subjective reasoning, I would have agreed with it. I have since had to change my position on this, though. Why? Because you always have to go back to absolute truth! Is the child a human being? Yes. Was the child created by God, despite the circumstances under which he or she was conceived? YES. The bible says, "You (God) knit me together in my mother's womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13). Even a child conceived under horrific circumstances is planned by God. He has not been taken by surprise. And He has a reason for everything.
That may seem oppressive to women, but truly it isn't. The great mystery of faith is that what seems to be oppressive is truly freeing, while what seems to be freeing is what holds you in bondage. That doesn't mean there is not pain, of course. The woman facing such a situation is in great need of our care and compassion. Who, being in that situation, wouldn't look up to heaven at least once, and scream, "WHY?" We are all dealt lousy cards in life at one time or another. But you can't respond to one heinous crime with another and expect a better outcome. Like my mother always said, "Two wrongs don't make a right!" There are numerous stories out there of people -- good citizens -- conceived in rape who are so thankful they were given a chance. Here's one account of what God can do with such a child: Read Rebecca's story.
I could go on all day about this subject, but I don't have the time or the room! Before closing, I do want to make one important statement. If you are a women who has formerly chosen an abortion - no matter who you are, no matter what your circumstances - I hope you will realize there is a God who loves you. You need not live with suppressed, unresolved pain and guilt. There is complete healing and forgiveness for you in Christ. Please seek counsel.
If you are a person who would like to read more on the subject of abortion, I recommend the book ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments by Randy Alcorn. It is an excellent resource, and very readable.
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