Abortion – No Middle Ground
October 15, 2008
|
Posted by Ray Fowler
Dr. Albert Mohler explains why there can be no middle ground when it comes to the issue of abortion:
One side defines the issue in terms of a woman’s right to control her own destiny … The other side … bases its assumptions on the claim that a human being, at any stage of development, has an intrinsic right to life that must be respected by all humanity …
For the better part of four decades, some have attempted to find a middle ground between these two positions, but to no avail. The reason quickly becomes clear. If abortion is to be understood as a fundamental right, no woman can be denied the exercise of that right. If abortion is the taking of innocent human life, no justification can be offered for abortion as a means of ending an unwanted pregnancy — none at all. Middle ground would be possible only if we can assume that the right to abortion is not fundamental, but merely provisional, and that the unborn child does not have an intrinsic right to life, but only a provisional right. Efforts to frame the issue in this way fail because neither of these assumptions can [be] qualified in this way and remain coherent.
Dr. Mohler also points to a recent essay by Professor Robert P. George of Princeton University detailing Sen. Barack Obama’s views on abortion. George states at the outset of his essay:
Sen. Barack Obama’s views on life issues ranging from abortion to embryonic stem cell research mark him as not merely a pro-choice politician, but rather as the most extreme pro-abortion candidate to have ever run on a major party ticket.
I know this is a hot button issue, but how important is the abortion issue to you in the upcoming election? Will the candidates’ views on abortion influence your vote?
Click here for more abortion related posts.
Categories: Abortion
|
Leave a reply
The issue of abortion is THE most important issue to me when voting. I used to simply feel that I would not have an abortion, but I would not judge those who do. Then I watched a movie showing the seared off skin of aborted babies. It was incredibly graphic and it made me sick to my stomach, but it also made me realize what a horrific thing abortion is. Like me, most women who have had abortions probably have no idea what an awful thing it is. I have friends who have had abortions who still hurt so badly at every birthday of when their baby should have been another year older. In the Bible, just about nothing got God madder at a civilization than the sacrificing of children to idols. When we kill the innocents of a culture, we are far gone. I support pro-life causes and candidates because I think abortion is one of the most heinous acts ever committed. I ache for every woman who has been duped into having one and I grieve for the children who have died. Yes, it is controversial. It’s horrible. It happens. It needs to be stopped. (Wow. I haven’t had a chance to speak on that for quite awhile. Thanks for the forum, Ray!) And to the dear ladies out there who have had an abortion…I send you my love and I grieve with you for your loss. I am in no way condemning you, who were probably backed into a corner and persuaded that you had no choice. Remember that nothing separates us from God’s love and that He is the God who forgives and cleanses and heals.
Sharon,
Thanks for your reply. I too grieve for the mothers of aborted babies. I know that many decisions were made because of bad advice and of course poor moral educational teachings. I really grieve for the babies and I know that God has a soft heart for them. Its one thing for a man to speak out on the subject. I have been told that I have no clue on what drives a woman to an abortion. Nevertheless, I know what I read in scripture and pray each day that this madness is stopped soon. We are fortunate to have a merciful God who loves us dearly and is forgiving when we ask for His forgiveness. I do pray for comforting from God to those that have been duped into having an abortion. God bless and keep us all.
OK, I know this is an issue that reaches deep into our souls so I tread carefully here. I absolutely agree there is no middle ground on abortion. Life is precious, ordained by God before we were even conceived. As believers I think we all agree that abortion is wrong. Where believers can and do disagree is on the best means to end this practice, in the U.S. and throughout the world. There is no one party that addresses all the various means of reducing abortion and changing hearts and minds about the preciousness and sacredness of all human life – from pre-birth, to birth, to programs that assist desperate women, to programs that help single Moms, from torture to war, to the death penalty, to euthanasia. Some see laws as solutions. Others see governmental programs as solutions. Others see church groups and non-profits as solutions. Others see various combinations. My prayer is that fellow Christians who do not agree on the methods will respect each other and rejoice that we agree on the ultimate goal of valuing all human life in a world that does not.