Abortion
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Abortion is the removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus in order to end a pregnancy. Abortion has become a controversial issue across the world. There are two sides to the issue; pro-life, and pro-choice. Pro-life groups are opposed to abortion and pro-choice principles, and reject them on the basis that it is immoral, while pro-choice groups believe it is a right to perform or undergo an abortion. Pro-choice activists use slogans such as "my body, my choice." There are many different activist groups, and the issue is a dividing one. In the USA, abortion is legal any time throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy, and it is legal for any reason.
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Abortion and the Bible
The Bible clearly teaches that human life is different from all other types of life. We as humans are higher than that of animals, for we are made in the image of God. Every human is made in the image of God. As Christians, we believe that God has created the universe and everything in it. This means God has uniquely created every single person. By aborting unborn babies, we are taking away the wonderfully and fearfully made creation of our father. We are denying a human being the chance to live, which can fairly be interpreted as murder. If you were to take the evolutionary stance, these unborn babies are simply another organism being born into an evolved world, possibly even an inferior organism of no value, and there is not a great deal of significance to their life. But the Bible teaches differently. Every human life is of great importance to God. He has a plan for every life, and every person deserves the chance to fulfill that plan. It is their right to live, much more than it is our right to end their life.
- Exodus 20:13
"Thou shalt not kill."
- Psalm 22:10
"From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God."
- Exodus 21:22-23
"If men strive, and hurt a women 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."
- Luke 1:15
"He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."
- Matthew 18:10
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven."
- Ezekiel 18:20
"The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him."
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: one of these is "hands that shed innocent blood." Proverbs 6:16-19.
The Lord exalts victory in life, and victory in Him over death. Isaiah 25:8 -"He will destroy death forever."
Arguments from pro-abortionists
Despite all the arguments from the pro-choice faction, one has to remember that the Bible forbids the intentional shedding of innocent blood. The killing of innocent babies is doing exactly that, and thus these arguments become irrelevant.
- What if a woman is raped? - Ezekiel 18:20 (see above)
- What if the child cannot be afforded? - there are a great number of families ready to adopt a child.
A Baby at Birth
- All the baby's genetic information and coding is present at conception. No new life codes will be received by the baby after conception.
- At 21 days, the baby's heart starts beating, moving the baby's own blood through his or her circulatory system.
- At 21 days, the baby's arms begin forming, and fingers develop at 6 weeks.
- At 40 days, the baby's brain begins functioning enough to generate brain waves.
- Movement begins at 7 weeks, which can be sensed by the mother at 16 weeks. The baby is interestingly more active when the mother is awake, and less active when the mother sleeps.
- At 11 weeks, the baby's facial muscles move, even forming frowns and smiles.
- At 9 weeks, touching the baby's sole irritates the baby and causes him or her to try to move away.
- The unborn baby is its own person, it is completely separate from the mother, other than the umbilical cord. The baby develops its own unique features while it is still in the womb.
- Once a baby's life is ended, it can never be replaced.
Other Statistics
- There are approximately 126,000 abortions worldwide per day. Approximately 3,700 per day in the United States.
- There are approximately 46 million abortions worldwide per year. 1.37 million per year in the United States.
- Worldwide, the lifetime average is about 1 abortion per woman.
- 22% of abortions occur in developed countries, 78% are obtained in developing countries and
- 95% of abortions are performed as a means of birth control, while only 1% are performed because of rape or incest. Another 1% are performed because of fetal abnormalities, and 3% due to the mother's health problems.
An estimated 43% of all women will have at least 1 abortion by the time they are 45 years old. 47% of all abortions are performed on women who have had at least one previous abortion.
According to a CBS news poll, 70% of Americans believe that greater limits or restrictions should be placed on abortions.
Abortion is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States.
Death Count
This is the death count in the U.S. due to war, compared to the death count due to abortion in the U.S.
Total death count in the Revolutionary War - 4,435 deaths.
Total death count in the Civil War - 498,332 deaths.
Total death count in World War I - 116,708 deaths.
Total death count in World War II - 407,316 deaths.
Total death count in the Korean War - 25,604 deaths.
Total death count in the Vietnam War - 58,168 deaths.
Total death count thus far in the Iraq War - 3,468 deaths.
Total death count of all these wars - 1,114,031 deaths.
Total death count due to abortion since 1973 - 48,589,993 deaths.
Legal Issues
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade was a U.S. Supreme Court case that resulted in the Supreme Court essentially legalizing abortion. They stated that abortion after viability must be available when needed to protect a woman's health, which the Court defined loosely. The decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. A single and pregnant woman named Roe, challenged the constitutionality of Texas abortion laws, which denounced performing or attempting an abortion. It was only allowed on medical advice for the sole purpose of saving the mother's life. Henry Menasco Wade was a Texas lawyer. He took part in two of the most well known U.S. court cases of the 20th century, the prosecution of Jack Ruby for killing Lee Harvey Oswald and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion, Roe v. Wade.
There have been approximately 48,589,993 total abortions since 1973, the date of the Supreme Court's decision regarding Roe v. Wade.
U.S. 2008 presidential candidate John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, returning the abortion question to the individual states. He has stated publicly that, "At its core, abortion is a human tragedy."[1]
Federal Funding
The U.S. Federal government is funding abortion under the guise of Title X funding — a program that provides an enormous influx of money for "reproductive health activities." The American Center for Law and Justice is supporting legislation (Senate Bill 351 - the “Title X Family Planning Act”) to stop this federal spending to fund the killing of innocent children.
More than eight thousand people who have already signed the ACLJ petition to stop the federal funding of abortion. Every year, the federal government hands over millions of our tax dollars to Planned Parenthood. It is a travesty of justice that taxpayers are essentially being forced to fund the largest abortion promoter and provider in America.
The ACLJ is determined to STOP this offensive misuse of our tax dollars — by standing in support of legislation that calls for an end to government funding of Planned Parenthood.Read more and sign the petition to De-fund Planned Parenthood
Intent
Before making a decision to undergo an abortion, one has to contemplate their choice. What is the reason for ending this child's life? Is it a selfish choice? Is it in accordance with the teachings of Christ?
This article is not meant to condemn those who have undergone or participated in any abortion activities, but to bring to light the truth of the matter. No matter your actions, they can be forgotten and forgiven in Christ. We all deserve judgement for our actions, but the Lord is gracious and forgiving beyond measure.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
References
External links
- Family Research Council
- Abortion by Conservapedia
- Abortion Answers Now
