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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2007 |

Abortion Overreach

Today's Supreme Court decision again shows that the all-or-nothing strategy is not the way to go.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 4/18/2007 11:37AM

Ever since Roe v. Wade in 1973, abortion-rights advocates have stridently defended abortion at any time, for any reason. Or, for that matter, with any method, including dilation and extraction—more ...

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Paul	Posted: April 30, 2007 10:38 PM

First, though I do not agree with abortion in many cases, I am pro-choice because if I was a woman with an unwanted pregnancy, I would probably keep the baby, but it would be my choice. The government would not make the choice for me! Second, a lot of conservatives think that by making abortion illegal, that this would end the practice, but this has not been the case. In countries where abortion is illegal, such as in Chile and Brazil, the best statistics say that the rate of abortions is nearly twice as high or more than the rate in the United States. Similarly, before Roe, demographers at UNC Chapel Hill have estimated that between 200,000 and 500,000 abortions were performed in the 1950s and 1960s, and many more women than now died of its complications. The best way to end abortion is to educate people, both in general education and in sex education. Our children are much smarter than we give them credit for. They can handle this information about our fundamental biology.

wdyoung

Posted: April 27, 2007 8:26 PM


Yea... we don't want to "over reach" because I guess we base what is right and wrong on public opinion.

Susan

Posted: April 26, 2007 9:56 PM

Kim I am in agreement with you whole heartedly. It might be that fewer unwanted pregnancies of unwed, teen moms is down possibly due to contraception. However, I too will always support a women's right to make this decision as a safe and legal medical procedure. I feel this procedure should be taken seriously and should always be between the patient and Doctor. The patients should receive counseling before and after their choice of having an abortion or not. I also support the innocent children who are born to poor, selfish, ignorant, drug addicted mothers. The coment Brenda made about illegal abortions and those patients having to do community service doesn't set right with me. However, if a person who gets an illegal abortion and lives through it should be prayed for and counseled. Not to be judged or punished by anyone. My views are also put me at odds with my Christian brothers and sisters. I will always support the rights for women to choose!

Kevin

Posted: April 26, 2007 9:18 PM

This article does not see that - Jesus would NEVER -AND HIS UNCHANGING CHARACTER CANNOT AND WILL NOT "TOLERATE" an "incremental" approach. As God in the flesh, Jesus makes it 100% plain where HE (God Almighty) stands as it concerns children of any age; with these two passages of scripture: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." -Matthew 18:6. The second passage from the old testament: "If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And IF ANY MISCHIEF FOLLOW, then thou shalt give life for life" -Exodus 21:22,23 Jesus (IMMANUEL - GOD WITH US) simply does NOT "TOLERATE" intentional abortion. He loves children (INNOCENT) so much. Woe to the USA. WOE

Joy	Posted: April 26, 2007 11:00 AM

Cindy and others make a great point that there are many underlying problems that lead to the call for abortion, and I think these areas of caring for the needy and educating women about purity and Christ's love need to be enveloped by the pro-life mission for the defense of innocent human life. Still we can't ignore the governing arena in the fight to defend the defenseless. There are millions of babies being slaughtered! Is that just? "You must purge from [your nation] the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you" Deut. 19:13. "Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" Isa. 1:17. These causes should not compete, but work together. Do zealous pro-lifers pay attention to the physical and heart needs? I myself do; I am available for my neighbors who are single mothers; I've given to them in many ways, encouraged one not to have an abortion and shared the love of Christ. Other Christians do do this too.

Sonja

Posted: April 26, 2007 9:34 AM


Jeremiah 1:5 We need to go slowly in this world, but do not give up the fight to save our children.

Cindy

Posted: April 26, 2007 8:14 AM

WHY the continued focus on abortion (a symptomatic problem) vs. a focus on the underlying issues that lead to abortions - a lack of biblical morality, healthy & biblical self-esteem, relationship with God, understanding of God's love, love from family and even religious folks, acceptance, and a lack of love of self... These are the things that lead a woman to have sex with someone they are not married to, sex at an early age, unprotected sex, etc. I really do wonder how many folks who so ZEALOUSLY fight against abortion live sexually/sensually moral lives, live a life of a disciple - like Jesus who constantly reached out to as many as possible, who was here to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), who reached out to women who were hurting, who comforted hurting people, and who pointed everyone to a relationship with God????? I have never had an abortion & don't support abortions yet, I have empathy for folks who feel they have no other options. Where should our focus be?????

Brenda~

Posted: April 25, 2007 11:27 AM

When did "choice" become a license to kill? "Abortions for any reason" has been abused. It is considered a crime to cause injury to another for personal gain, unless defending yourself or another from the threat of loss of life or personal physical injury. In case of rape, mental issues could be a valid argument. There may be other issues that would constitute unbearable hardship. I'd like to see the next legal step be a federal law requiring a medical examination and/or mandatory government-funded pro-life counseling, before abortions could be applied for. If an abortion is still wanted, a review board could determine if it is necessary, and issue a license. If denied, a court appeal could be allowed. Women denied licenses should be provided with continued counseling and if found to be a danger to themselves, given more intense care. Women having illegal abortions should be sentenced to 1,000 hours of community service - preferably giving childcare eight hours a week in an orphanage.

Cory	Posted: April 25, 2007 11:04 AM


I am so excited about Partial Birth Abortion - So many people want to adopt, this is such a victory. I am so happy that this occurred! Little innocents are now going to be given a chance and who knows - one of them may invent the cure for a life threatoning disease or a wonderful activist! Much happiness!

Felton Ross

Posted: April 25, 2007 10:03 AM

We know that abortion has life long consequences for the mother, but women who become pregnant through rape or incest should be allowed to choose whether to continue the pregnancy or have it terminated. However those who choose to continue the pregnancy should be given loving financial and other support throughout the pregnancy and beyond. Families with resources have done this for centuries, for others support should come from neighbours, Church or State. Have any of the pro-life groups undertaken serious and adequate long term support for mothers who choose life and their offspring ?"

Pat E.

Posted: April 25, 2007 8:11 AM

I praise God for the victory that He has given us over the partial birth abortion ban. This has been a terrible scourge on humanity. I am pro-life, but there are limits as to how much horror a woman can take. In case of rape or incest, no woman should have to be forced to undergo a 9 month pregnancy and be faced with the horror of what happened to her. This could lead her to indulge in drugs and alcohol, which would destroy her and the baby. Or, mentally, this could send her off into a suicidal state of mind. Since this situation would not be her fault, I believe that God would be merciful and compassionate to her if she chose to have an early termination of the pregnancy. I say that we should allow a woman to make the choice of whether to terminate the pregnancy in the first trimester only. She is the one who will carry the scars for life if she is forced to carry the baby fullterm. There are many people who would be willing to support any woman's decision as to what to do.

Vicki

Posted: April 25, 2007 7:43 AM

I feel that it is a woman choice regarding abortion, HOWEVER, I believe if a woman who was considering this procedure was properly informed by means of a visual presentation of the actual horrific procedure and what was involved in distroying the life of her baby, that woman with proper counseling and support would actually deter from having an abortion. We have to consider the emotional and psycological position of every woman who finds herself in a desperate situation, that feel she has no way out of this pregnancy. Educating and not persecuting a woman who might be considering this option, would be far more effective in my opinion. Each of us, "do gooders" have to look outside the box of their own perspective and look inside each woman frame of mind who would be considering an abortion and extend to them compassion, love and most importantly understanding in helping them see just how precious the gift of life is and hopefully turn their decision around.

Rod in U.K

Posted: April 25, 2007 1:25 AM

Where Rape and Incest for me personally are concerned , I must seek Gods guidance on abortion , as all taking of life would be wrong in His eyes . Again I would struggle and deep feelings for the raped person Yes , I see for those in the situation being forced into a crime they did not want and why abortion would be right , overall I would say any Abortion is wrong . In the U.K children are taught , Use a Condom ! ( never mind the consequences of Sex and Gods word on the matter ) Education on those issues are morally wrong here in the U.K . Condoms , it is o.k to have sex outside of marriage , again use a Condom ! Sex is just a daily occurence with many Youth here. Apologies if I have gone off the track ....The way I see the future is good Education of Why and when Sex is right not just a pleasure thing .

N	Posted: April 25, 2007 1:21 AM


Why so much ado about the abortion. The abortion comes after people have sex (a lot of times unwanted by women). Why not simply ban sex?! That'll solve the problem! lol

Marilyn Cotton

Posted: April 24, 2007 11:44 PM

Jeremiah 1:5 Before you were born, I knew you. Psalm 139:13-15 For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mothers womb. ... When I was woven together in the secret place your eyes saw my unformed body. Ten commandments: Thou shalt not kill. This is not clear enough for you? I am speaking for myself as a woman who experienced the pain and devastation of abortion before I knew Christ. I want Roe v. Wade overturned so no woman has to experience this again, and no child whom the Lord made will be killed for our own selfishness. Life begins when God begins it, at conception. This is clear from scripture, as is the commandment, Thou shalt not kill. I wish I had been willing to see it. I am not afraid to give my name if it will allow another child to live.

Denis

Posted: April 24, 2007 10:29 PM


Please read Psalm 139:13-16: it says it all.We are in no position to argue with God's word,ever!!!!! Recommended reading:Startling Beauty by Heather Gemmen.She was raped and had the baby despite all this ordeal.A powerful testimony of the grace of God.

Mollie

Posted: April 24, 2007 10:13 PM


I am against abortion, but I think that to force a woman to give birth after being a victim of rape or incest is not taking her menital wellbeing into consideration. Nor how it will affect her family life.

Mark Pettigrew

Posted: April 24, 2007 9:21 PM

Actually, if you will read the history of Roe v. Wade, you'll find that one of the main reasons for that 1973 ruling was that so-called pro-life people had compromised their principles by making numerous exceptions which would never have been made in the case of newborns or people from other age groups. The justices naturally concluded that such people didn't really believe their own rhetoric about unborn children, or they would have conscientiously argued against all abortions. In the short terms, moral compromise for the sake of expediency might seem to make sense, but in the long term, it lays a foundation for future defeat. Unless one is prepared to argue that people who are otherwise human and who deserve legal protection from deadly assault forfeit that fundamental right on account of circumstances of conception over which they have no control, there is no principled reason to support exceptions in the cases of rape or incest. Without principles, our entire case is built on sand.

Ronn	Posted: April 24, 2007 8:24 PM

Have any of your readers actually read the law? The partial birth abortion ban (and the incremental strategy behind it) represents a decade of wasted time and money. Instead of allowing abortion doctors to extract the baby out to the neck, they now can only extract the baby out to the wast before they kill it. It's a difference of three inches. What a colossal waste of time by the pro life movement.

silvia_soaring@yahoo.com

Posted: April 24, 2007 7:03 PM

I worked in many different hospitals as a cardio-pulmonary specialist, often in NewBorn Intensive Care. As we worked over the Babies - small scraps of humaity - not quite big enough to live, I was aware of the abortions that were going on in a different section, of Babies who WERE large enough to live, and were being killed. The very idea tore me apart.However, I also saw young women, too oung, really (physically) to bear a child, and ignorant careless older ones, come in to the emergency room as a result of trying to abort themselves, or at the hand of an incompetent "doctor'.As much as I want to save every life, I am not God. We live in a world divided -- we are not all cognizent of God! Is it our right to say that an immature, terrified girl be made to have a child she did not have the sense to prevent? Can we pass judgement on a mindless, unconcerned adult, who did something stupid?As much as I hate to see it, I think some cases should be allowed; not because it is right

Leslie Hanks

Posted: April 24, 2007 3:31 PM

Little wonder the nation is in such a mess, when one of the main Christian magazines suggests banning all abortion goes too far. What about God's enduring command, "Thou shall not murder," is unclear? Until we restore legal protection to all human life, from fertilization through natural death, we will continue to have massacres like Columbine. "Because you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you." Ezekiel 35:6

Emily

Posted: April 24, 2007 10:39 AM


Please remember that the term is "pro-choice" not "pro-abortion." No one is pro-abortion just for the sake of it- people are pro-choice and their opinion deserves to be called by its rightful name. No one calls pro lifers "pro-women having children they don't want and can't care for." Why can't we just be respectful?

Nathalie

Posted: April 24, 2007 6:38 AM

I am happy for the banning of partial-birth,what we need to aim,is to stop abortions to be done again. The only way we can stop it is by asking God to help us through fervent prayers,and fastings, to open the parents,the teens,the youth heart and spiritual eyes, and also the society,that is tolerating evil more and more,that we do not have the right to kill any other human being,I was one of those teens once,and did the same,and the day I met the Lord,I cried and felt the guilt of having sex without being married,that is a sin,and the consequences of it and I didn't have the right to kill another human being,who didn't ask me to come in this world,and I understood, why Jesus had to die for me,I repented and gave my life to Christ, since then. We Christians, as to request God's help for all the lost souls, like me I was one of them before, they pray and fasted for me, that is why I got my eyes open and was translated from the kingdom of darkness, to the Kingdom of Light. Amen!

Searcher of God's Will

Posted: April 23, 2007 5:25 PM

The Bible does address the crime of causing death or injury to a child who was not ready to be born:“If men hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely, if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye”Ex.21:22-25. Jesus lays aside eye for eye punishment but does not give license to sin. “Can a government that brings misery by its decrees and condemns the innocent to death be allied with God?”Ps.94:20-21. “They shed the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to idols, they polluted the land with murder”Ps.106:38. We sacrifice our unborn children to worship the image of convenience and prosperity! John the Baptist was full of the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb. Would God put his Holy Spirit into a life form that he did not consider to be a person? The idea that an unborn baby is disposable with no right to live is modern barbarism! Do you really think Jesus would condone killing babies because they’re poor, like he was, or just unwanted?!

Mhango Joseph Kaseka

Posted: April 23, 2007 1:20 AM

Such articles are very important to the society at such a time like this. Indeed Christians need to have zeal and wisdom when trying to advocate something.Abortion is an important subject that we need to discuss and find a lasting solution. Many innocent unborn kids are denied the right to life. We really need to talk about it. But wisdom is very much need so that we may be able to answer the what, when, how, where, who rightly.

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