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Note: Today’s article is a bit longer than usual because it’s talking about a very important subject.
I was standing behind the one-story college building where I was working. A cigarette was lit in my mouth, and I was talking with one of my coworkers. By the way, I don’t smoke anymore.
For the sake of this blog post, I’ll call my coworker Pam.
Pam was telling me about a student who was absent from the college for a long time. It looked like she was going to have to drop out for the quarter.
“How come she missed so many days of school?” I asked Pam about the student.
“Well,” Pam replied, “I found this out from one of her friends on campus. It looks like it’s because she had an abortion.”
“Oh wow, that’s crazy!” I exclaimed.
Then Pam and I began to talk a bit more about the student.
After a while, I found that Pam began to have a strange look on her face. She had a dreamy look, and she began to gaze into the parking lot filled with cars.
“What’s wrong?” I asked Pam.
Pam looked back at me and said, “If I tell you something, will you swear that you won’t tell anyone? I mean, will you swear that you want tell anyone at work?”
“Sure Pam, I promise I won’t tell no one,” I assured her.
“I had an abortion too. It was a long time ago when I was in college,” Pam confessed.
“Oh wow, I had no idea,” I said.
I wasn’t really sure what was the appropriate thing to say. But luckily, Pam continued to do most of the talking.
“I know that very few people know that I had an abortion. My parents never found out. I still struggle with my decision every once in a while. I think I still feel a lot of shame and guilt.”
The story of my coworker is a story that’s much more common than you think. It’s the story of many women around the world.
It’s also one of the best kept secrets of both women and men in the church.
The Arguments for Abortion
In our society today, people champion a woman’s right to choose. “It’s a woman’s body, and so she should have the right to do whatever she wants with the fetus,” some people will argue.
“Plus, just think about those instances where a woman is raped. Should she have the baby, and be reminded of that horrible tragedy that happened to her?
“Or what about in those cases when a woman has to terminate the baby because the mother’s life is in danger? Or how about if the baby is going to be born with a terrible genetic disease? The mom should be able to choose to abort her baby if she wants to.”
Those are really good points that people bring up. But I believe that there are always better reasons for keeping the baby rather than aborting it.
In this blog post, I’m going to be addressing these points and a few more. I’m going to make the case for why no one should have an abortion.
Who Am I to Be Writing About This Topic?
Some people like to say that if you’re not a woman, then you’re not able to fully understand what it’s like to have a baby, or to have an abortion.
They say this to discourage any arguments from men, or from those who have a different point of view.
While there is some truth to that statement, I do want to tackle this subject from God’s point of view. And this is God’s view on abortion:
[Tweet “Every life is precious to God. #SanctityOfLife”]
That’s why I’m writing about the topic of abortion today, especially as Sanctity of Life Sunday is coming up on January 18.
Additionally, abortions don’t just affect the woman, they also affect the man. Don’t forget, it takes two to get pregnant.
Almost nobody talks about how abortions affect men. Believe it or not, it impacts them deeply.
My friend, John Blandford, made a video about how abortions affect men.
I’m not aware of there being any video like this one on the Internet. The video talks about an abortion from a man’s perspective.
In fact, this video that I’m about to show you will take something that’s negative, and turn into a positive. It’s something that only God can do.
So here you go, watch this short video.
Why You Should Care About the Abortion Issue
If God brought you here because you’re thinking about having an abortion, then maybe God wants you to read about the facts.
If you’re reading this blog post today and you had an abortion, then God wants to heal you and to touch you in a special way.
If you’re someone who isn’t facing this choice right now, then I highly recommend you read this article, because a friend or family member might be considering having an abortion in the future.
Will you know how to respond if they ask you for advice?
5 Powerful Truths About Abortion That Will Help You Avoid Regrets
1. Truth #1 – Life Starts at the Time of Conception
In the critical case of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decided in 1973 that a woman has a right to have an abortion. The Supreme Court decided that every state also has the right to protect prenatal life.
So in order to strike a balance, the Supreme Court decided that a woman has a right to have an abortion up until the fetus is viable. The viability of a fetus is the potential of the fetus to survive outside of the womb.
Currently, the viability of the fetus is estimated to be between 24 to 28 weeks. That means that a woman can decide to have an abortion up until 6 to 7 months during her pregnancy.
Many people that hold the view that it’s okay to have an abortion up until this point in the pregnancy maintain that the fetus is not a baby. They will go to extra lengths to avoid calling the baby in the womb, a “baby.”
Instead, they will refer to the baby in the womb as a fetus, as if it’s just a bunch of cells that don’t have life.
But this couldn’t be farther away from the truth for the following two reasons:
Reason #1 – God’s Word tells us that life starts at the time of conception.
God says in Jeremiah 1:5,
[blockquote cite=”Jeremiah 1:5″ type=”center”]Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.[/blockquote]
King David said in Psalm 139:13,16,
[blockquote cite=” Psalm 139:13,16″ type=”center”]For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb . . . your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.[/blockquote]
Even if you don’t believe in God, it doesn’t mean that this isn’t true.
Life starts at the time of conception because life can’t come from non-life.
A fetus is still very much a live human being, even if it isn’t viable outside of the womb.Reason #2 – science tells us that human life begins at the time of conception.
At the time that fertilization occurs, a baby’s genetic makeup is already complete. DNA at this point has already determined the baby’s gender, color of the eyes, color of the hair, and so much more.
So just think about it, a fetus isn’t just a bunch of cells, it’s an actual living human being.
This is part of the reason why many women who have had an abortion say that they feel feelings of regret, remorse, and guilt.
If that’s you today, there is help for you by visiting this website.
Emily and Alistair Caines release this photo of their premature daughter who was delivered at the 24-week abortion limit.
2. Truth #2 – A Woman’s Right to Choose isn’t the Only Consideration
The baby in the womb also has a right to life. The only problem is that the baby can’t defend his/her rights.
That’s why it’s so important to keep this in consideration when choosing whether to abort or to have the baby.
Yes, a woman has the right to control her own body, but how about the rights of the baby? Doesn’t the baby have a right to live?
Well, apparently the Supreme Court thinks so as it was part of their decision in the Roe vs. Wade court case.
The forefathers of the United States included this in the Declaration of Independence when they wrote:
[blockquote cite=”The Declaration of Independence ” type=”left”]We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that [highlight type=”light”]they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,[/highlight] Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.[/blockquote]
The right to life is a civil liberty that all humans have the right to. That right is extended to a fetus in the womb as well.
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3. Truth #3 – Children With Disabilities Have a lot to Offer
Some couples will choose to abort the child if it has a genetic disease, like for example, Down syndrome.
They think that they don’t want the child to have a deprived life by being unhealthy and not having a normal childhood. So they justify having an abortion.
But I can tell you that kids with genetic diseases are a huge blessing. I know this firsthand.
My nephew on my wife’s side has Down syndrome. He is such a blessing, and he brings bring so much joy to our family.
Couples that choose to abort because of genetic diseases are missing out on a very special gift.
Image credit to Hand Me Downs blog
This isn’t a picture of my nephew, but it is a picture of an adorable Downs baby who has a remarkable story behind him.
4. Truth #4 – Rape is Tragic and Should Not Lead to Abortion
Rape is such a difficult subject to talk about. It’s an incredibly traumatic experience that I hope no one ever has to go through.
If a woman has been raped, she must be compassionately cared for. But compassionate care doesn’t mean executing the baby in the womb.
I’d like to propose that instead of aborting the baby, that the mom would prayerfully consider having the baby, and giving it up for adoption.
There are many couples that can’t have children, and that would welcome a baby inside of their home. The couple would love and care for the baby.
In fact, it’s just like God to take something that was meant for evil, and to turn it around for a good.
In this specific scenario, everybody wins:
[icon_list][icon_list_item type=”check”] The mother doesn’t kill the baby.[/icon_list_item]
[icon_list_item type=”check”] The baby preserves his/her right to life. [/icon_list_item]
[icon_list_item type=”check”] A couple who isn’t able to conceive is blessed with a baby. [/icon_list_item][/icon_list]
5. Truth #5 – Abortion is Damaging and Never Goes Away
My coworker, Pam, was never able to forget that she had an abortion.
Years had passed by since her abortion, and she was still traumatized by the experience.
Real-life stories show that women who have an abortion are greatly harmed. The harm comes in forms of mental, relational, and emotional harm.
Sometimes it even results in physical harm. It’s possible for a woman who has had an abortion to become infertile, or to be more likely to have a miscarriage.
One Woman Who’s Glad She Chose Life
A few months ago, one of my followers on Twitter sent me a private message. I’ll call her name Jennifer.
Jennifer asked me what I thought about abortion. I told her my point of view on the subject, and then I asked her why she was asking.
She told me that it was because she was pregnant, and that her boyfriend wants her to have an abortion.
I sent her a link to 180 movie, and then I asked her to please watch it before she considers having an abortion.
I then asked my church family to pray for Jennifer so that God would touch her, and help her to decide to keep the baby.
Jennifer messaged back and told me that she wasn’t able to to watch the 180 movie because of some technical problems. She then asked me if I could send her the DVD instead.
I told her that I would send her the DVD and that I needed her address. When she sent me her address, I was shocked!
She lived in Namibia! I didn’t even know where Namibia was on the map! I just knew it was somewhere in Africa.
So I prayed, got the DVD, and I sent it over to Jennifer. Six weeks later, Jennifer sent me a private message on Twitter telling me that she had watched the movie.
By the grace of God and all glory be to Him, she decided that she was going to keep the baby!
Just one month ago, Jennifer had the baby. She sent me a picture of him, and he is absolutely adorable 🙂
Don’t Have Abortions and Advise Against Them
If you’re considering having an abortion, I hope this article has helped you to think about the different issues.
Abortion is harmful, you’ll definitely regret it later if you have one, and it’s committing a crime against life.
I also hope that the next time somebody asks you about your point of view on the subject, that you’re better equipped on how to answer.
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[author title=”About the Author”]
Comments 10
Thank you so much for writing this Peter. Abortion is near and dear to my heart, abortion is a terrible thing to do.
18 days: baby has a heartbeat
21 days: baby is pumping own blood
42 days – brain waves recorded, skeleton complete,
reflexes present
7 weeks – baby sucks thumb
8 weeks – all body systems present
9 weeks – squints, swallows, moves tongue, makes fist
11 weeks – spontaneous breathing movements, has
fingernails, all body systems working
12 weeks – weighs one ounce
16 weeks – genital organs clearly differentiated,
grasps with hands, swims, kicks, turns, somersaults, (still not felt by
the mother.)
18 weeks – vocal cords work – can cry
20 weeks – has hair on head, weighs one pound, 12
inches long
Babies that are aborted feel the pain of the abortion.
Women who have ultrasounds are much less likely to abort, seeing a baby inside mom makes a huge difference.
I was personally very close to a woman that had an abortion, the intense emotional pain has never completely healed.
Over 30 years ago, my 1st wife was pregnant. She was 6 months along and the baby died. I had to watch as this baby, my daughter was delivered, dead. Although not an abortion, this at times still to this day hurts.
Any pregnancy no matter how far along including mere days – is a human life that deserves to live. If mom had an abortion – you would not be reading this.
This group of cells growing inside you is a beautiful God given life, give this life the ultimate gift – allow this child to live, even if this baby needs to be given up, there is someone who wants to love this child.
Men, encourage her – whoever “her” is to have her baby. If giving the child up is the best option, there is no shame in doing so – a life has been preserved, all life is precious.
Elizabeth sweetheart, I love you and can’t wait to see you in heaven.
Wow Greg, this was such a powerful comment! Thank you so much for giving us the true information about where the baby is during a pregnancy. It is very helpful.
I had no idea that abortion was such a close subject to your heart. Thank you for sharing this story about your daughter. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you. But I’m sure that God has been ministering to you along your journey.
Thank you for the encouragement to both the men and the women who will be reading this article. I pray that unborn lives would be saved because of your comment.
Thank you Peter, you are ever gracious and a great friend and brother. Yes that comment was actually difficult to write.
Your article is powerful and very on point, I pray many, many women and men will read it. It is not only the woman affected as the video in this article shows, men are very affected as well. Women are portrayed as being the closest to a child as they birthed the child and there is truth in this. Yet many a man is very close to his children and the link between a man and his child is often downplayed. The pain and hurt from an abortion is also downplayed on the part of men.
Abortion is to often treated as a solution to a problem, it’s not a problem, it is a human life.
Amen Greg, I couldn’t agree with you more brother 🙂
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this post was just shared to me. i am a victim of rape because your god tells my husband (captor) that a wife is punished and has submit to him and even the ministry. i see this because found out carrying baby in me. seed of any people making this thing growing in me. he wants to teach it to be like him or me from the first days off life. no one needs this
Author
Dear Herding, I’m very sorry to hear about the difficult relationship that you are having with your husband. Please know that what your husband is doing is not supported by the Bible. He is acting out of his own will and it doesn’t sound like he is a real Christian, but is a Christian by name only.
Please let us know how we can help you. We want to be your friends, we do not judge you, but we are here to love you.
Im searching for help alot. I have experienced christ in my life much to the point that nothing or no one is more important than worshipping and having him in every part of my life. How i feel now is very uncomfortable knowing im pregnant and cant ignore my feelings, instincts, that having this child is wrong. I thought i was doing the right thing getting married and having a child isnt that the way its meant to be, well i believe in personel relationship with god as he has an individual purpose for us all, like all those in bible, and then if we read and get understand of gods true nature with ourself youll see he will have mercy on whom he choses and certainly use others such as pharah to his glory, did pharah get saved. Who is to safe our children uts certaintly not us as parents its down to the individual relationship with god. Unfortunatly i see to many whoare not willing nor being saved, i feel its unfair that children be bought into this life now as a cruel thing though not for all, my husband was bought up my religiouse parents and never took to it, till he surrendered 35 years later, it was and had to be his chioce, my life journey was hell and its harder now knowing god and seeing life around us. I ask for help i am not trying to give my opinions but maybe something will identify my feelings of not wanting this child. Thanks
Author
Kelly, please forgive me if I didn’t understand your comment correctly, but may I please ask you what is the source of you not wanting to have this child?