Abortion Ends a New Life
The unborn child, called a fetus, is alive in the womb. Considering abortion? If you need help, information, or resources, call the OptionLine Hotline at 800-395-HELP.
Abortion
Elective Abortion is Against Christian Tradition
Abortion is Not Contraception
In 2008, the last year for which complete statistics are available, 1.21 million abortions occurred in the United States. There are many types of abortions, and the procedure tends to vary based on the age of the unborn child. Most abortions are obtained as a means of back-up birth control, but elective abortion should never be confused with contraception. Despite the fact that hormonal methods do pose a risk to preborn life, contraception is intended to prevent a pregnancy from occurring. Abortion ends a pregnancy after it has begun. As a result, abortion carries with it physical, emotional, and spiritual health risks.
A Christian Perspective
Given the biological understanding that human life begins at conception, taking the life of an unborn child can never be acceptable for the Christian. As far back as the second century, both abortion and infanticide were condemned by the Church. Abortion was so unthinkable among Hebrews that no special mention of it was necessary in the Old Testament criminal code. The ten commandments said "You shall not murder," and that was enough.
Some feel that Christians are cruel in their opposition to abortion, unsympathetic to the pregnant woman caught in a difficult situation, but nothing could be further from the truth. Christianity began with a young woman in just such a predicament, the Virgin Mary, probably a poor 16 year-old girl when impregnated by the Holy Spirit. For being apparently unfaithful, she could have been rejected by her fiancee, shamed by her family, or even killed. Nevertheless, when given the opportunity to bear and raise the Messiah, she said simply, "I am the Lord's servant." (Luke 1:38)
It should be understood that Mary was not passive; rather, for a higher good, she actively chose to carry, bear, and raise a child that was not biologically her husband's. It was a difficult situation in which Mary's life, and later her baby's life, were both endangered. When King Herod heard news of the Messiah's birth, he ordered a mass execution of infants in an attempt to kill Christ before he could become a rival. But Mary had a powerful faith that God would make a way, and He did. The family, once poor, came into wealth by gifts of gold and spices from unexpected wise men; then the Holy Family escaped safely to Egypt, out of King Herod's reach. Others in such a predicament can likewise put their trust in God that He will make a way, even though the road may be hard at times. As Mary's unplanned pregnancy redeemed all of humanity, the same can happen of an unplanned pregnancy today. It happens every day -- child seen as a horrible mistake suddenly becomes the most wonderful gift from God once abortion is ruled out.
But Christians are not simply saying, "Just have faith." The Bible rejects this type of hypocrisy, stating that "faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26) Rather, Christians are coming to the aid women through both independent and church-based pregnancy centers across the globe. These centers, staffed primarily by caring women on a volunteer basis, offer free pregnancy tests, support and friendship, education, post-abortion workshops, local resource listings, and increasingly even medical care. In the United States alone, thousands of organizations are actively helping women choose life. These include crisis pregnancy centers, maternity homes, non-profit adoption services, hotlines, and post-abortion help centers. Many of those involved have had abortions and want to help provide other women with better options.
Related Links about Abortion
- Abortion Methods: Contraceptive Information Resource (Contracept.org)
- About Abortion: Epigee Women's Resources (Epigee.org)
