Abortion
Everyone will agree that murder is wrong. The prohibition against murder is one of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not murder." Exodus 20:13 But the argument among pro-choice advocates is that a fetus is not yet a human, and therefore, not yet subject to our laws.
Jacob was attributed with human actions while still inside the womb. Further, those who recorded G-d's Word in the Bible viewed unborn life as validly as life already born. Those still in the womb were clearly viewed as equally a part of G-d's great plan. Let's look at a few verses:
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:41,42
The above verses show to G-d, each life counts, even before birth. G-d says:
"And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." Genesis 25:23
G-d foreknew man before his birth, before his conception. Further, G-d has a plan for each and every life He gives -- it is not a human right to interfere with any life G-d has sent. Notice the punishment of a person who injures a life before it is born:
Clearly G-d viewed a life still within the womb as having the same rights as a person already born -- neither may be wronged.
Abortion is not G-d's way -- it is man's. The Hebrew language doesn't even have a word for 'abortion' because such a word simply wouldn't be required or used among G-d's people. Modern abortion has become much like the ancient Canaanite practices -- a ritual so common and everyday that people have sadly become hardened to what it really is.
Notice what G-d says: "You have killed MY children." Children belong to G-d, not man! Whether in the womb or already born. G-d creates and sends life, not man:
But What About A Woman's Right Over Her Own Body?
This argument is shallow. Women do not fight for the right to cut off their hands or pluck out their eyes. Clearly, what is truly a part of a woman, she would fight to keep. A fetus is an individual in his/her own right -- that child is not merely a part of his/her mother -- instead, that child is a separate being residing *within* his/her mother's body. Big difference. That fetus has unique qualities not necessary shared with the mother: his/her own blood type, gender, physical/genetic traits (eye color, hair color etc.), his/her own IQ, etc. No one denies a child already born is a separate entity from his/her mother, this argument is only brought up to defend ending the life of the fetus.
But Isn't Abortion Acceptable If The Child Would Be Born Handicapped/Unwell?
Why? We've shown life begins within the womb -- we wouldn't murder handicapped people already alive, or go around murdering people who were ill. Think of the ramifications if we decide that's it's okay to murder those who aren't 'perfect.' I wouldn't want to live in a society that selectively murdered those who were weaker. In Torah, the weak are cared for by the stronger, not murdered!
But With World Over-Population, Abortion Helps Mankind
Why stop with those still unborn? If the world is overpopulated, why not 'thin out' the more populated areas now? Clearly, the arguments for abortion would be ludicrous if applied to those already born. But why can't many see these fetuses are even more dependent on us to make fair and G-dly choices. G-d sees the population of the earth -- He doesn't require our 'help.'
What About Abortion In Cases of Rape?
Of course, this presupposes that a) the fetus is guilty of his/her father's crimes and b) that a mother could not love this child because he/she would only remind her of the rape itself. I find it hard to believe that while nursing a child, watching your child take it's first steps, or hearing your child say "I love you" for the first time, etc. would constantly remind a person of past pain. The conceived child isn't the enemy but is a victim every bit as much as the mother is, and needs caring and love just as much. I would argue that child is more likely to bring healing to the victim than to live as a constant reminder of past pain and suffering. If a mother would constantly live a sad life, reminded only of her past pain, I would suggest she desperately needs G-d's healing, not the loss of that conceived child. The child, to me, would represent G-d bringing something wonderful out of something horrific.
What About Abortion Due To Inability To Afford Another Child
I hate to see life come down to money. If we allowed 'right to live' based on money, we inevitably set up a scenario where the poor are considered 'less valuable' members of society. Does a child born to poor parents have less a right to be born than a child born to rich parents?
Remember, man cannot fully comprehend G-d -- G-d's ways are not our ways! All life is created by and belongs to G-d -- born or unborn.
If You've Had An Abortion....
G-d can forgive you, because He loves you too. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Healing For Those Who Have Had An Abortion:
Ellen Kavanaugh
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." Proverbs 6:16-19
"In the womb he took his brother by the heel..." Hosea 12:3 (4)
"Upon Thee I have been cast from my birth; Thou art my God from my mother's womb." Psalm 22:10 (11)
"And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." Luke 1:14-15
"Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken, ye peoples, from far: the LORD hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name .... And now saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, and that Israel be gathered unto Him--for I am honourable in the eyes of the LORD, and my God is become my strength..." Isaiah 49:1, 5
"And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5
"And if men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart, and yet no harm follow, he shall be surely fined, according as the woman's husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm 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." Exo 21:22-25
"Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?" Ezekiel 16:20,21
"For Thou hast made my reins; Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance, and in Thy book they were all written--even the days that were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16
"As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5