Abortion vs. a Culture of Life
A commentary by Robin Webber
United Church of God pastor, Redlands and San Diego, CA
 This
week two major news items collided to push once again the abortion controversy
front and center in the American consciousness.
President Barrack Obama—a "pro-choice" advocate—spoke
about abortion at the well-known Catholic University of Notre Dame.
At the same time amazing new Gallup poll results on abortion were released.
Both items made Americans take note that this open wound continues
to fester.
The Notre Dame surprise
What surprised many people was that Notre Dame—sponsored by a
church with a strong and clear systematic theology on life issues—would
welcome a speaker known for his counter views. Many Catholic officials
publicly denounced the event, boycotted the speech or joined in demonstrations
leading up to the commencement address.
At the same time the venerable Gallup organization released a new poll
showing—for the first time since 1995—that 51% of Americans
consider themselves "pro-life" when it comes to the issue
of infants in the womb having rights. The percentages have swung upward
by 6% in just a year.
Like a vanishing city
Perhaps people are beginning to finally take notice of the grim statistics
that—in the United States alone—3,700 babies are aborted
every day. That grim statistic multiplies to 1.3 million a year.
That would be like the citizens of San Diego, California—America's
7th largest city—receiving a death sentence that would be carried
out over a period of one year. And are we supposed go on as a mature
society as this holocaust of the womb continues in quiet clinics?
President Obama in his address to the Notre Dame graduates said, "No
matter how we want to fudge it, the fact is at some level, the views
of the two camps (pro-life, pro-choice) are irreconcilable," but
he went on to implore the graduates "to stop reducing those with
differing views to caricature."
He continued, "Open Hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words. It's
a way of life that has always been the Notre Dame tradition." Such
words sound noble until you realize that everyone who is now "pro-choice" was
allowed to live at birth. What irony!
The return of Roe from "Roe v. Wade"
Ahead of Obama's address there were incidents of civil disobedience
by some who were protesting the President's invitation.
Among those arrested was a lady named Norma McCorvey. You say, "Who?" You
know her as "Roe" as in Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision
that legalized abortion.
What an amazing turn around for this lady to now be at odds with this
landmark decision. But the question is not where the student body of
Notre Dame stands—or for that matter the President or even Norma
McCorvey.
Where do you stand?
The big question is where do you stand when it comes to matters of
life and death for a little one? Have you given it much thought?
How you answer the matter will tell much as to whether you believe
your life on earth is by accident or design and whether there is a greater
purpose being worked out here below.
Are you aware that the Creator of the universe reveals in His Holy
Word when life begins, what your existence is all about and the family-like
relationship He desires with you as your Heavenly Father?
God's purpose for human life
The Bible describes you as a designed creation patterned after no less
than God.
Genesis 1:26-27 states, "Then God said, "Let Us make man
in Our image, according to Our likeness... .So God created man in
His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female." It
is recorded in the New Testament how John the Baptist leaped for joy
in the womb in response to Elizabeth his mother meeting and greeting
Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36, 41-44).
Does this sound like simply clinical fetal tissue? Think about it!
Aren't you happy your mother carried you full term to allow you
to be the incredible vehicle of life that God intended?
President Obama's address spoke of "fair-minded words." But
what about God-directed words and commands? What about words that generate
and support the creation of God in each and every one of us?
Decision time
Perhaps it is time to move the ball into God's court and understand
how special your existence really is.
To become further grounded on such an important current issue I recommend
accessing this home page's search results on this vital subject.
You will come to see that God doesn't fudge on the issue and
His portrayal of humanity is pretty special—you count!
To quickly access or download these special articles simply use this
link to abortion!
Related Resource
What does the Bible teach about abortion?
What does God say about unborn babies? Is abortion a sin?
Is Abortion the Answer to Unwanted Pregnancy?
God views human life as very valuable and He views life as beginning
at conception. So while He doesn't mention the modern issue of abortion
in the Bible by name, Bible passages indicate that God would label abortion
as a sin.
America's Child Sacrifice
Child sacrifice is horrifying to even contemplate. Yet it remains with
us, practiced millions of times every year.
The Abortion Controversy
What are the facts about abortion? Is it really murder? What does the
Bible say?
The Abortion Quagmire: Who Will Speak for the Children?
Two unmarried teenagers agonize about the girl's pregnancy. Afraid to
confide in their families, the couple manages to deliver the baby in
a motel room. They wrap the newborn in plastic and throw her in a trash
bin. They are convicted of manslaughter. If they had procured an abortion
just a few weeks—or even a few days—earlier, they would
not have faced a trial and jail terms. This is just one of hundreds
of news stories appearing over the past few years in a nation mired
in the moral quagmire of abortion.
The
Abortion Debate—More Heated, More Divisive Than Ever
Violence, anger and argument tear at the country's soul over the unresolved
issues surrounding abortion. Can we refocus the debate on more fundamental
determinants?
Teen Bible Study Guide: Abortion
This Teen Bible Study Guide is designed to help you learn what God thinks
about abortion.
What Is Your Destiny?
What is your destiny? Why do you exist? Is there a reason, a purpose,
for human life? These questions have baffled the greatest thinkers and
philosophers down through the ages.
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