This is an issue that I have never truly processed in writing and really have tried to avoid even in discussions for obvious reasons. I am sure that at some point I may write something that later I have to recant as a result of reading others' thoughts and/or rethinking through some of my own thoughts. This is a risk I am willing to take to better understand my beliefs.
From where does the moral code against abortion derive? If one finds the Bible as the source of truth on moral issues--and I do--, I believe he/she might be hard pressed to find scripture that actually condemns literally or specifically abortion without doubt. I believe the only scriptures that might be construed to speak on the issue of abortion are the 10 commandments, specifically 'You shall not murder' (Deuteronomy 5:17) and 'You shall not steal' (Deuteronomy 5:19). Of course these were written towards people none of who I believe had the image in their minds that this law referred to unborn babies as well, especially in the context of where these commandments were given. But if I let myself assume that the spirit of the law (or all truthful intentions thereof) does include unborn babies I am assuming that the unborn baby is actually a creation of God that I should respect regardless of the activity that put the baby in the womb. I personally believe this and also believe that one cannot really define a specific point at which the fertilized egg has divided and differentiated enough to be labeled as that creation. I do believe also that one may not be totally off the charts if they don't believe that this commandment was in reference to the unborn. In a nutshell that is where I am at in regards to my moral beliefs and faith concerning abortion.
Having said this, I do believe living in a society that is both secular and religious with laws that govern a people having a wide spectrum of beliefs some of which include God some of which do not creates a situation in which this issue becomes highly blurred. My next efforts on this blog will be an attempt delineate the impact of this blurring of the issue on how I view this issue in terms of law and politics.
Rationalists are admirable beings, rationalism is a hideous monster when it claims for itself omnipotence. Attribution of omnipotence to reason is as bad a piece of idolatry as is worship of stock and stone believing it to be God. I plead not for the suppression of reason, but for a due recognition of that in us which sanctifies reason. -Mahatma Gandhi-
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- Man is a credulous animal and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be stafisfied with bad ones. - Bertrand Russell-
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3 comments:
At the present time my belief is that a life starts when the sperm and egg are united and the DNA is set. I, too, base my beliefs on the Bible, that God knew me before I was conceived and that conception was ordained by him. I can respect others beliefs as to when life starts, but I think it is definitely taking a life to abort a baby. Will we make murder of a person legal because someone does not believe the 10 commandments?
For those who have aborted babies, and come to believe that it is not in God's plan, we must keep in mind the forgiveness is available through Christ.
Also, I am suspicious of those politicians who come out on either side of this issue. Are they sincere or are they appealing to their on voter base?
@Sue,
Since all of your living cells contain your DNA, what differentiates every cell from being categorized as "life"?
Since tumors have our DNA, wouldn't cancer surgery be tatamount to an abortion?
If the parents know that a fetus is severely deformed, would you force the mother to carry to term and then watch the infant die post delivery?
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I'm glad to see that you have stated the origin of your moral code on this issue (Old Testament 10 Commandments). However, I would suggest a slightly different phrasing of your sentence as:
"Will we make murder of a person legal because someone does not follow all the 10 commandments?" I'm not sure that "belief" has anything to do with following the 10 commandments or any portion thereof. Some folks don't even know about the 10 commandments and others that do, pick and choose which they want to emphasize (as you mentioned about politicians).
Since you mention Jesus as a source of forgiveness for this (may I assume) sin, I thought that Jesus might have actually said something about abortion. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the Gospel and we are forced to rely on (the eye-for-an-eye) Old Testament scriptures.
Reference:
http://www.twopaths.com/faq_abortion.htm
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In a few years (or less), I will have to end a life -- my dog. My dog is a fully functional member of my family. And I know (and dread) there will come a day when I must request a doctor to end her life for her own good. It will be a value judgement on my part for the best interest of my dog. I will cry and morn the loss.
If she weren't already fixed and became pregnant, I would have the litter aborted, since she has very bad hip dysplasia. Carrying a litter to term would cripple her and force me to end her life even earlier. Am I "killing" simply because I terminate her pregnancy?
wow, such a heavy, hard discussion i believe.
on the tumor issue, i don't believe that could be labeled as an 'abortion' in the same sense as we use it. The tumor will not grow to become a living human being.
on the topic of a baby being born severly deformed - i know of couples a spefic couple who chose to carry and deliver a baby knowing it would be severly disabled. they had to watch their child be 'abnormal' and grow to die at 3 months old. they do not regret having decided to birth that child.
if we take that thinking further, who's to say when we would decide to abort on the terms of a child being severly disabled or deformed. where would we draw the line? which disease or deformity would make the cut?
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