(04-20-2012 10:33 PM)UCF08 Wrote: This is not meant to rehash the tired arguments surrounding abortion; this is one of the few deeply divisive issues that I believe that each side is legitimately arguing valid points (one side believes they're literally saving babies, the other believes they're protecting womens rights to their body). So please, keep this out of the discussion.
What I'm wondering is where does religion come into play in this? Why is it that those who are deeply religious overwhelmingly support anti-abortion legislation? Their feelings towards this can't simply be accounted for in scripture (the bible doesn't directly address abortion and the verses they use are quite ambiguous at best, in relation to this subject).
What I'm asking is this; there isn't some segment of society which believes in murdering children, as that is how pro-lifers legitimately view abortions, but what does religion have to do with them seeing abortions in that way and why is it so seemingly tied at the hip with the religious right? Why is it that they overwhelmingly view abortion in that light as a whole?
(Again, I'm not interested in the arguments supporting pro-life or pro-choice)
First of all abortion can be accounted for in scripture. Now, you may not agree with our interpretation of the scripture but to me and most other Christians its pretty clear. People can argue that the word "abortion" isn't in the Bible but neither is the word "pedophile" and we all know that's wrong. Here are some examples of what we believe supports our claim that abortion is a sin.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
"Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward" (Psalm 127:3).
God knows the preborn child. "You knit me in my mother’s womb . . . nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret" (Psalm 139:13,15). God also helps and calls the preborn child. "You have been my guide since I was first formed . . . from my mother’s womb you are my God" (Psalm 22:10-11). "God… from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace" (St. Paul to the Galatians 1:15)
I understand the argument that it's a woman's body and it's her "right" to do with it what she wants. But I also understand that if it's her body she could choose not to have unprotected sex or even abstain. As an adult I was always taught that we are responsible for our actions. If I jumped off a roof I would expect to live with the possible consequences...so should a women, in child bearing years, who has unprotected sex. For Christians I think it boils down to three things. 1.) The Bible teaches against it 2.) It's murder in our eyes 3.) Women should be more responsible for their bodies if they don't want the consequences. A baby isn't a STD that a trip to the doctor should eliminate. It's a "consequence" of her/her partners actions.
I do, like most Christians, make exceptions for cases of rape, incest and cases of SEVERE birth defects that would prohibit the child from living pain free and any real capacity.
I also believe the father, if he can be found, should have to give his consent for any abortion to take place. Should the child be murdered if the father would raise it? No. Any abortion, if it must be legal regardless of how immoral I believe it to be, should require BOTH parents consent.
This is just my two cents...and I hope it answers your question.