The Christian Researchers--Part 3

In my church's pamphlet on abortion, I almost have to thank one of their references for stating that choosing a mother over her unborn child opens the door for abortion....  A mother may already have enough other children to care for...or she may be contributing to society through her career--if not in a helping profession, through another necessary product or service...!  Other lives may very well depend on a woman, whether she's a Christian or not....

A different Christian leader, who appears on television, stated that abortion is like in the Bible when some heathens gave their young children to their gods--the children were burned in fires....  (See Leviticus 18:21 or 2 Kings 23:10)  Have read on the Internet that some people in Uganda have practised child sacrifices; and it's considered to be child abuse, and laws have been enacted against it.  Abortion isn't child abuse, in my opinion.

Was a little concerned about the second- and third-trimester abortions, or abortion rights, that  I've heard about....  But I've read from credible sources on the Internet, including CNN, that the abortions later in pregnancy are more rare....  They're usually done because of health problems in the unborn or that would cause problems for the mother in delivery....  Some of these problems aren't able to be diagnosed until later in the pregnancies....  When doctors have to face legal problems or delays in doing these abortions, it can affect the mothers....  For this reason, I believe the laws should be flexible to cover last-minute problems that can come up....  It doesn't seem to be a question of healthy mothers wanting to abort healthy and viable fetuses....  

A few years ago, Donald Trump was reportedly stirring up controversy about abortion and after-birth death at a political rally....  I've read on a website from the Netherlands that third-trimester abortion and euthanasia after birth are legal in the case of untreatable medical problems which cause unbearable suffering....  Again, it's not healthy babies which are in question....  [Also, in some cases of giving birth, a mother can bleed to death....  There are many possible complications and the average person doesn't understand them all.]

The Christian Researchers--Part 2

It wasn't my intention to embarrass my church here, but I suppose they have to take responsibility for who they're going to follow....  Maybe I'll give them a chance to respond to these blog posts, if they're interested?  (Some people at the church headquarters used to read my blog but am not sure they've always continued?)  [I'll send them an email.]  Have I mentioned my church didn't used to oppose abortion over 30 years ago?

Whatever else can be said about an embryo or fetus, I believe it's true that they don't have a conscience.  Some of the researchers wanted Christians to pity and defend the lives of the unborn, on account of them being helpless....  But as I said, I believe God wants us to help and defend ALL the disadvantaged people in this world, as far as possible.  And we're supposed to preach the gospel to everyone.  A youth or adult person who has been living in this earth has been invested in--and they have choices to make regarding good and evil.  The unborn have been invested in fairly little....  For most young adults, it doesn't take a lot to get pregnant....

Is it fair to spend our resources--if we don't feel prepared for whatever reason--on bringing up the unborn?  

The researchers who don't value the lives of mothers over the unborn are almost guilty of violence towards women, in my opinion.  Under normal circumstances, wouldn't a reasonable person choose the mother's life over the baby's--if only one of them could be saved [due to some unusual health circumstances]?

Pregnancy and childbirth can be a wonderful and miraculous experience...but unfortunately it isn't always seen that way and it may be for good reason....  Medical science has given pregnant women a choice, if they're allowed to use it.

The Christian Researchers Missed Something

My church has published a booklet on abortion which is available to download for free--Release #20--at  "adventistbiblicalresearch.org," as of this date....  The name of the department is the Biblical Research Institute, at the church headquarters in the USA.  This booklet was written by a man, with references to books written by other men who aren't in my church....  These men seem to be quite well-educated...except they've never been a mother...!

One of the first authorities quoted in the booklet suggests that the New Testament of the Bible is symbolic; and since Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, the mothers of Jesus and John the Baptist were happy when they found out they were pregnant, all women should be happy when they get pregnant...!  Never mind that Jesus was arguably the most significant historical person who ever lived.

If the above male researchers want to study the Bible, maybe they should read Matthew 24:19, "Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those [last] days!"  NRSV--New Revised Standard Version, my brackets.  If this is a literal--and symbolic--meaning, I believe it means that IN SOME CASES, pregnancy and caring for a helpless infant are not desirable...!?

Further in the booklet, some other experts don't want to value a mother's life over an unborn child's life--in cases where one of the lives needs to be sacrificed for health reasons.  Hasn't the mother had a lot invested in her life, for her to have arrived at an adult age?  Isn't this investment worth something?  These experts say this line of reasoning opens the door to abortion for any reason....  And isn't that almost the bottom line, I'd like to ask?

In my view, an embryo and a young fetus are alive--they're "life."  But they're not viable until a certain stage....  If a woman ACCIDENTALLY becomes pregnant when she didn't mean to, there may be factors which are a greater consideration in life than the task of raising a new person to responsible adulthood....

According to my beliefs God gives new life; and He gives it when a sperm fertilizes the egg.  Period. I believe a distinction should be made between early abortions and late abortions....  These decisions shouldn't be made lightly....  But life comes in many forms and we have the underprivileged among us and throughout the world.  I believe God wants us to help them [see Matthew 25, in the New Testament and Isaiah 58, in the Old Testament].  We also have to take care of ourselves and live our best lives....

Medical science has given us fairly safe, simple, and effective ways to end unwanted pregnancies.  Should society--or Christians--demand that these methods never be used?  And should women be forced to endure the pregnancies and then go through the heartbreak and anguish of giving their babies away in adoption--not to mention that the children might suffer in their lifetimes also?

What Will the Supreme Court of the U.S. Decide?

The Supreme Court abortion case in the United States involves the previous, landmark Roe v. Wade case from 1973....  This case allowed abortion for all women in the first trimester of pregnancy on the grounds of privacy in healthcare.  The moral issues weren't discussed, as far as I know?  And I believe that's the reason the Supreme Court might overturn this decision...?  It'd generate a lot of debate but maybe some confusion too?  I'm hoping the Court will leave the landmark case alone....

I've Studied Some Theology

A visiting speaker at my church told a story that many years ago his mother had been young and single when she got pregnant with him.  A different family member had attempted to do their own abortion shortly before and they ended up losing their life.  The family and extended family were naturally concerned; and they prayed special prayers over this future speaker while he was in the womb.  He came to have some hardships during his childhood but  then became very successful in life.

Should we draw a conclusion from the above story that abortion is bad and life is good?  I'm happy this speaker became successful and I don't begrudge him anything.  But it could be said that if the family member had had access to safe, legal, and affordable abortion, they probably wouldn't have died!?

Have received a letter and some materials from my church headquarters regarding their views on abortion.  I'm concerned because most, if not all, of our church administrators everywhere are male.  It's a male-dominated culture, at this point  The Bible is such a complex book that it's not too difficult to pick and choose, whether deliberately or not, what appeals to us about a particular topic and to ignore or misunderstand the rest....  (I've studied some theology in the past and I'm not completely ignorant or incompetent in these matters.)

Some Middle-Class Christians...

It seems hard for some middle-class Christians to accept the concept of abortion.  They may not know that some prospective mothers and fathers may suffer from addictions, co-dependency, abuse or abusiveness, mental health problems, lack of education and job skills, poverty, being adopted themselves [and not adjusting well to it], or other problems....  Some problems may be short-term while others can often be long-term and even generational.

Pre-natal care and influences are important, and adoption isn't a simple matter, in my opinion.  Children can inherit negative tendencies from their parents, for one thing.  If the birth parents weren't functional enough, for whatever reason, there's no assurance their children will do better....  I've seen a lot of adopted people in my lifetime and I'd say about 50% of them have done well, while the others didn't do as well or had serious problems.

Just a few things to think about....

Life Extends Beyond Baby-hood

It seems to me the women, and some men, who oppose abortion are being naive and sentimental about pregnancy....  Also, some men who are very vocal may be on an ego trip....  In my opinion, the topic of abortion--up to the stage of viability of the fetus--is primarily a women's health and wellness issue....  I don't believe men should have a lot to say against this matter at all....  Women who have never had children, or who have had miscarriages, may not be the best advisors in this question either....  These women may be consciously or unconsciously jealous of other women's pregnancies...?   

If opponents of abortion have had a privileged life, they should be thankful; but they should realize that not everyone has the best life....  If people have steady employment, with reasonable pay; have a stable family; and have good health--physically and mentally, these are real advantages.  

A child can inherit traits from the mother or father, and pre-natal influences are important.  If a mother can go through a pregnancy healthfully, with a good mental attitude, I think that's necessary for the best foundation for the child....  But if she's distressed about the pregnancy for any reason, it's not going to be helpful...and even adoption might not be a good answer....  

Otherwise, I believe child-rearing is approximately a 20-year commitment...!  What are the assets of the mother, or parents...?  It's not just about being charmed by the thought of a cute, little baby...!  Life extends far beyond baby-hood.  

Recently, I learned about an organization called Catholics for Choice.  They say they represent the 60% of Catholics in the USA who support the right of abortion.  They also have concerns for women around the world, many who are poor and disadvantaged, who may or may not be helped by American government aid....  As the different political parties come into power in the United States, the funding is affected....  That's what I understand.  I appreciate the compassion of this organization above.  

Right now, the U.S. Supreme Court is working on a major abortion case....  I tried to read about it the other day but wasn't exactly clear on what the issues are...?  Will continue to study and to follow this matter....