Why Christians Should Oppose Abortion
Is abortion a sin?
“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?” Proverbs 24:11-12
Is Abortion a Sin if it’s Legalized?
Mary Katherine Backstrom is the lead blogger on Mom Babble, a website devoted to all things mothering. On her Facebook page she dedicated a recent post to the topic of abortion. A self-proclaimed Christian, Backstrom describes her stance as “personally Pro-life, but vote[s] Pro-choice”. This statement, among others on her “rant” caused me to take a step back and analyze not only her beliefs but also the overwhelmingly positive response to her post by her followers.
It has been more than two weeks since Mary Katherine’s post. I chose to delay my response in order to calm my emotions and allow myself to see things from God’s perspective. It is important to me to argue on the basis of truth and not feelings, especially concerning the subject of abortion.
To read Backstroms entire Facebook post go here.
I am seeing a ton of commentary online today about NY’s recent abortion legislation. There is a lot to be unpacked, but it’s basically this: the language of an already existing law was changed. Instead of “decriminalizing” term abortion, they’ve now legalized it (in cases of fetal incompatibility with life or risk to the mother’s life). This does NOT mean that suddenly nine month abortions are happening. Because they don’t happen. No matter what LifeNews tells you, that is simply not the case. – Mary Katherine Backstrom
Backstrom goes on to say that “only 1.3% of all abortions happen after 20 weeks gestation. This percentage is taken from a CDC report done in 2015. What Backstrom fails to point out is that the information compiled for this report was given voluntarily from 49 different locations in the United States. “States and areas voluntarily report data to CDC for inclusion in its annual Abortion Surveillance Report. CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health prepares surveillance reports as data become available. There is no national requirement for data submission or reporting.” So, there is no way to really know what the statistics are.
Planned Parenthood alone has 650 clinics nationwide.
She states, more than once, that late term (third trimester) abortions do not happen. Though rarely, they probably do happen. Otherwise, why in the world would anyone even prepare for a bill to be written (and law passed) in an effort to protect the would-be mothers seeking them?
Is Abortion a Sin in the Case of Rape?
A “victim of familial sexual abuse” herself, Backstrom makes a heartfelt appeal to her readers to consider the teenage girls and women who have suffered through rape. This type of suffering alone warrants that everyone should not be so quick to judge the actions of others. She goes on to say, “I challenge someone to work with these women (and children) and tell them, to their face, that they have to deliver a product of rape.”
A product of rape.
While I have never experienced sexual abuse nor have the extensive experience Mary Katherine has in working with rape victims, my heart aches every time I meet someone or hear about someone who has been a victim and I pray that God Almighty would bring healing and hope. No one, absolutely nobody, deserves to a be victim of rape. I pray justice is done in each of those situations.
I am tempted to express further my thoughts and feelings regarding the circumstances surrounding the crime of rape and the tragedy that ensues, but I’ve got to stay on target here.
A product of rape. This phrase always strikes me as cold. It distracts from the fact that there is a baby involved. A living being. It’s not a “thing”, nor an “object” and especially not a “product”. As if a baby were disposable! A thing with no intrinsic value! That baby is a human being given life – ordained to live by the Creator – for crying out loud!
I have had the privilege to meet, online, two amazing women who have given a voice to the little ones who cannot yet speak for themselves.
Rape Survivors Reject Abortion and Choose Life
The first is Jennifer Christie. A victim of rape while on a business trip in 2014, Jennifer says, “I couldn’t protect myself…but I could protect my baby. He would remind me that love wins.” Her husband, Jeff, upon hearing the news that Jennifer was pregnant, responded, “This is a gift!” Still gives me chills as I write this. Jennifer and Jeff, parents to four other children, are Christians. They never wavered from their principles and convictions, in spite of the way the baby was conceived. God is the giver of life, and tragedy should not beget tragedy. Violence should not beget violence.
The child, who is now four-years-old, has been loved and embraced by Jennifer, Jeff and their older children. They couldn’t imagine their family without him. And, from what I understand, he brings a certain love of life to their home that wasn’t there before.
How’s that for a “product of rape”.
Get to know Jennifer and her family and their contribution to the “Right to Life” movement at JenniferChristie.org. Watch this interview done by EWTN where Jennifer shares her amazing story.
Rebecca Kiessling was adopted shortly after birth, and was told by her parents when she was 18 that she was conceived in rape. To say the least, this news turned her world upside down. She explains, “I learned that I was conceived out of a brutal rape at knife-point by a serial rapist. Like most people, I’d never considered that abortion applied to my life, but once I received this information, all of a sudden I realized that, not only does it apply to my life, but it has to do with my very existence.”
Since the mid-1990’s Rebecca has been an outspoken proponent of the Pro-life movement and promotes adoption instead of abortion. She has a lot to say! She’s an inspiration to me, to say the very least. Visit her website at RebeccaKiessling.com to read more of her story. Watch this video of Rebecca speaking on recent events in New York and Virginia.
One of the greatest things I’ve learned is that the rapist is NOT my creator, as some people would have me believe. My value and identity are not established as a “product of rape,” but as a child of God. Psalm 68:5,6 declares: “A father to the fatherless . . . is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.” And Psalm 27:10 tells us “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” – Rebecca Kiessling
Abortion is not a Compassionate Response
Both Jennifer and Rebecca read Mary Katherine’s post on Facebook and showed concern that these statements came from a fellow Christian. Jennifer said to me, “I’m appalled… Literally sickened… By how many people are praising this [post] as compassionate and beautifully written.” So am I, actually. She shows compassion for the victims of rape (we all should) while calling the little ones conceived in rape “products”.
Rebecca wrote to me her initial reaction. She points out something I would never have thought of:
“Rapists, child molesters and sex traffickers love abortion. The abortion clinic is their best friend, because the abortion destroys the evidence, protecting them and enabling them to continue perpetrating. The younger a pregnant rape victim is, the more likely it’s someone in her family or household who is raping her, the more likely it is that she’s been raped for years and it’s the baby who finally reveals the rape, and the more likely she’s far along in her pregnancy. The best standard of health care is to deliver the baby a few weeks early, but an abortion would be extremely dangerous for her and the baby could survive a 3rd trimester abortion anyway.”
Abortion is not the Answer to Unplanned Pregnancies
“I believe abortion is a tragedy. It’s a tragedy that women have unwanted pregnancies, or dangerous pregnancies, or become victims of traumatic circumstances.” I tend to agree with Mary Katherine’s statement here, except the “unwanted pregnancies” part. I understand that there are many women who wind up pregnant without desiring a child, let alone planning for one.
My second pregnancy was unplanned. In my heart and mind I was not ready for another child since my son was barely nine-months-old. I was overwhelmed. I remember standing during worship at church on a Sunday morning, when suddenly I burst into tears. “Lord, I am not ready for this!” I poured out my heart to Him, expressing my fears. He reminded me that the baby growing inside of me was his creation and that, if I trusted him, He would make sure that everything worked out for our good. And he did!
Megan, who is now 10, has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. While I never contemplated abortion, I did question God and his sovereignty. I was reminded that, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps”. Proverbs 16:9
One day my children will recognize with the Psalmist, “Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God”. Psalm 22:9, 10
I believe the only way to get rid of abortion is to offer broad access to good health care, science based sex education, and free contraceptives. – Mary Katherine Backstrom
In my opinion, the above statement has no basis whatsoever. I don’t understand the logic behind her hypothesis. The “need” for an abortion is primarily driven by selfishness and fear. As for the “health care provider”, abortion is primarily driven by, you guessed it, money. The only way to get rid of abortion is to realize – and teach – the intrinsic value of every human life.
What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?
So, here’s why Christians should oppose abortion.
The Holy Scriptures – the Bible – is God’s Word. It is THE authority on life. In it we have been given the standard for which we are to live. How we are to conduct ourselves is clearly written and is based on the holiness of God and not relative to circumstances or emotions. We are not to waiver from this. Not because of fear of punishment, but because we love God and believe that there is a purpose and a reason for all that he has called us to do – which is based on his eternal love for us, his children. Deuteronomy 4:2, Matthew 5:17-19, Luke 16:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Psalm 119:130, Psalm 119:151, Proverbs 30:5-6
The God of the Bible is the giver of life. All human life, from conception, has been created in His image. Genesis 1:27, Isaiah 43:7, Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 45:12, Psalm 100:3
God loves each life intensely. Not the way man loves. God’s love is eternal and faithful. Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 31:3 , John 3:16, Psalm 136:26, Psalm 107:8-9
God knows, intimately, each child while in the womb. If God loved us even before we were born. This shows us that all babies are living and loved by God even before leaving the mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5
It has been scientifically proven that a baby is living before it is born. It is a separate being from its mother and has its own DNA. The baby’s heartbeat is detected early on and the amazing development of its limbs and organs can be traced throughout the early weeks of pregnancy. American College of Pediatricians, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Medline Plus
God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Who is more innocent than and unborn child? Proverbs 6:16-19
As Christians we are obligated to oppose abortion – at any stage – because God’s Word is our final authority. There are no exceptions. If you don’t agree then you are, by default. stating that God is not your final authority and that human circumstances are the deciding factor in situations where abortion is an option.
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19
Opposing Abortion is the Right Thing to Do
Why did I choose to “call out” Mary Katherine Backstrom’s statements? I have done this because she claims to be a follower of Christ yet she is teaching ideas that are clearly apposing God’s Word. She has become a person of influence on social media and her followers take what she says seriously and even embrace her way of thinking. This is dangerous.
It’s not my job to stand in judgement of anyone. God’s Word does that. My job is to point people to the Truth. If you are a Christian, it’s your job, too. We are called to be “salt and light” in this dark world. Matthew 5:14-16, Acts 13:47, Ephesians 5:8, Philippians 2:15-16
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:15-16
In closing, I’d like to share a statement by John Piper from his article, We Know They Are Killing Children – All of Us Know
We know the principle of justice that when two legitimate rights conflict, the right that protects the higher value should prevail. We deny the right to drive at 100 miles per hour because the value of life is greater than the value of being on time or getting thrills. The right of the unborn not to be killed and the right of a woman not to be pregnant may be at odds. But they are not equal rights. Staying alive is more precious and more basic than not being pregnant. We know what we are doing when we kill a child. – John Piper
I encourage you, dear reader, to do two things: 1. Meditate on the scriptures I’ve shared in this article and allow God to speak to your heart. 2. Share this article with the ones you feel might need to read it. Be a light in the darkness.
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