Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

Abortion has become a major political issue, particularly since the Supreme Court overturned the Roe-Wade decision. Individual states are tightening existing laws or outlawing abortion altogether. Other states are legalizing abortion and inviting mothers from anti-abortion states to come to their state for an abortion. Religious and political elements factor into these decisions.

The overriding issue for pro-life people is about the rights of the unborn, innocent child, not a woman’s reproductive rights over her own body. It is about the infant’s right to live. TV ads inundate our screens with pleas to save abandoned or cruelly mistreated dogs or cats. We need to save the whale or other endangered species. Then we are shown pictures of the poor, sad animals. The question then arises: if we need to save these animal lives, why is it ok to destroy small, innocent human lives?

According to the Guttmacher Institute,  a pro-choice organization that tracks abortions, there were more than one million abortions in 2023. According to the CDC, in 2021, 57% of the women who had abortions were in their 20s,  31% were in their 30s, and 8%  were teens aged 13-19.

There are two categories of abortions:  surgical and medication. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 53% of US abortions involved pills in 2020, compared to 39% in 2017. The CDC reported that the majority of women who had abortions in 2021 were unmarried (87%), with married women accounting for only 13%.

It is a tragedy of gigantic proportions in the loss of life and in the emotional trauma suffered by the mothers and their families. What does the Scripture say about abortion (a word not found in the Bible)?

From conception, we are one specific person to God.

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:13-16).

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5).

“And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; – – –  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:41, 44)

God’s judgment came upon those who destroyed an unborn child.

 “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, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Exodus 21:22-25).

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead. “(Amos 1:13).

In this election year, it is essential to consider where the two main political parties stand on abortion. Real Clear Politics submitted this comparison of the views of Trump and Harris on September 3, 2024.  Please take the time to read it by clicking “here.”

People today give many different reasons to justify abortion. Here are some of these reasons and some possible solutions.

1. Incest or Rape. This is the most difficult one. However, it is essential to remember that this is not about the mother’s rights. It is about the life of an innocent child. It wasn’t the baby’s fault that they were a result of incest or rape. This circumstance will require much counseling from a qualified godly person for the mother and her family. Because the mother will always feel the emotional trauma from the incest or rape, it might be best to release the child for adoption. Each situation is different and should be handled carefully with compassion.
2. Unplanned Pregnancy. Do you suppose God knew ahead of time about this pregnancy? I’m sure He did. “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:” (Psalm 127:1-3). Whether planned or unplanned, God intends for children to be a blessing.
3. Unwed mothers. After pregnancy, it is too late for prevention. However, parents need to start training their sons and daughters early on modesty, purity, and abstinence. Apply God’s Word through the apostle Paul in the home and to parents’ training of their children. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). In a Christian family, the parents need to wisely and compassionately counsel with their daughter. She may choose to keep the child if she has a repentant, tender, and compassionate heart and is deemed responsible enough to support and care for the baby. Sometimes the mother’s parents may be able to raise the child. If not, putting the child up for adoption may be the wisest alternative.   According to American Adoptions, an estimated 2 million couples are waiting to adopt. That’s about 36 waiting families for every child placed for adoption. Bethany.org, an adoption agency operating in 30 states, has declined to take new infant adoption applications in all but three states because of the shortage of infants available for adoption.
4. Inconvenience. Perhaps one of the primary 21st-century gods is the god of convenience. We don’t want to be inconvenienced in any way. An additional child might hamper our worldly goals and quest for wealth or take up our time from pleasures we want to pursue. Please look back at Psalm 127:1-3 above.
5. Can’t afford another child. Do you suppose God knew about your finances before you became pregnant? Can God provide for you now with your current number of children but cannot provide for another one? Could God be teaching you to manage your expenses better? If you are genuinely unable to support another child (and I believe there are such cases), look at other options. Don’t kill the baby. It’s not his fault. Look at #3 above for the adoption option. Some Christian organizations will take a child in temporarily until the mother or the couple can provide for the child.

I realize that I have just written about solutions for believers. When an unbelieving family confronts this decision, the first and most crucial step is to trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. See John 3:16 and these verses in the book of Romans: 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9,10,13. After you have accepted Christ as Savior, refer to items 1-5 above and find some godly Christian to help and guide you through your situation.

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). This Scripture applies to this problem and all problems. Turn to Jesus now – and always.