by Luke yang
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13-14
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13-14
Is fetus
human being? Is it the woman’s right to choose?
The careless answer to these questions will lead to the following
result. Today, every day 150,000 pregnancies are terminated worldwide[1].
In China, According to statics in 2013, there are about 13 million abortions
every year[2].
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History of abortion in China
Most people do not view fetus as life, historically, it is typical for Chinese to
have permissive attitude towards abortion, since Chinese think “a human life
start at birth”[3]. Abortion was recorded in ancient China
about 500 B.C.E, extremely toxic herbs and other concoctions are used to induce
abortion.[4] In many movies in emperor times, the
emperor’s wives used different plants like Oleander and Gabardine to terminate
other concubine’s pregnancy due to their jealousy or trying to secure their
position.
Why abortion is so popular in China now
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Since 1957,
“one-child” policy was implemented by the government, hence force, China became
the most liberal country on abortion in the world.[5]
By March, 2013, more than 330 million abortions were performed by Chinese
doctors within 40 years.[6]
Chinese government promotes abortion as a substitute for family planning, and
it seems it is a good option to get rid of the unplanned pregnancy for
families. It also covers shame for unwed couples. It is common to see abortion
advertisement in public, and some simple clinic can perform abortion surgery
too. Nowadays, another phenomenon which causes more abortion is premarital sex,
especially among the young people.
Christian view on abortion
From Christian worldview, life is from God, and it
starts from pregnancy. “Human development is a continuous process beginning
with fertilization and continuing throughout pregnancy, birth, childhood,
adolescence, adulthood, and into old age”.[7]
What can Christian do to protect unborn
lives?
Christian
should teach the truth, offer compassionate assistance and host ministry of
healing and forgiveness. Generally all women experience different kinds of
shame and guilt after abortion, the reason for abortion can be classified as
financial issue, social issue, ethical issue, and health issue. Gender
preference is still quite popular in China, though the government lifted the
bar off for several provinces, paying a fine for the second child or even third
can be a heavy burden on majority families. Christian should implant God’s view
on lives and on that God is the ultimate owner of all lives, however, tangible
support and compassionate assistance should be highly applied.
Ethical Questions:
- Can abortion be called murder for the
unborn baby is human?
- “Be fruitful and multiply”, is this obsolete or only applied in certain situation? Because some say they want to provide quality life for their kids.
- How do you think of birth control? Is it against God’s plan on human being?
- Is the abortion the woman’s right?
Bibliography
[2] 统计称中国每年人工流产1300万例 低龄化趋势严重http://news.ifeng.com/society/2/detail_2013_11/15/31279909_0.shtml (accessed on
July 28, 2014).
[4]
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/abortion/a/ancientabortion.htm
[6]
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/6724580a-8d64-11e2-82d2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2kURbJh9k
[7]
Adapted from Theresa Huculak, unpublished notes in Choosing Life Trainer’s Training (Quezon City, Philippines, 2013)
It is so true that people are blinded by Satan's tricks, as a Chinese Christian, I used to view abortion as a personal choice, however, only after YWAM's training, I realized that lives are created and owned by God. God bless
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWe can call abortion is murder, as a biblical view, because God said,
“Be fruitful and multiply”. People say "they want to provide quality life for their kids". I do not think that is right attitude, they might want to be comfortable for themselves more than for the child to has a quality life. Yet there has some special case that out of our topic. Mini
1. Abortion is murder simply because the person inside the mother's womb is a child, not a clot of blood.
ReplyDelete2. Multiplying creates the need of stewardship. Teach this ethic to all families.
3. I agree with the concept of planned parenthood. However, this must be dealt by the family.
4. Abortion is not a right. There are alternatives. This is not the only option. Ask ethical doctors. Somewhere along the medical conscience, there is a way to cure someone without the intention of killing another person.
For me it is better to promote birth control, because this is the best solution of the future abortion or unwanted child, birth control is responsible act of both parents, they are doing their part to give better life for their kids and help build a better nation
ReplyDeleteit is sad to see the condition of the people, sometimes i think all this kind of things is happening because of development, in the early time we don't have this facility to abort the baby. as a christian we have to start from our community to stop abortion. christian should show the example to this world that abortion is sin and bible doesn't allow this.
ReplyDeleteI may not be a qualified doctor but for me, i believe once an ovum is fertilised, life begins. Thus its termination is considered terminating a life which is murder.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe go forth and multiply is obsolete but there is also being responsible parent. Therefore planning ones family is being good steward and accountable to our Creator.
For me, abortion is a action to kill a person, even that is just small baby, just few month in the womb of mother, but that is a life. A person do not have authority to kill other even that is their child. Kill other is sin. I do not support for this action. I think we help to change society, change their perspective.
ReplyDeleteLife begins from conception, so abortion is definitely murder.
ReplyDelete“For you have formed my inward parts…Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed…” (Ps.139:13-16)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you…” (Jer.1:5)
I believe that abortion is an act of killing a human being who has a bright future ahead. As Christian leaders, it is very important to educate our members about this so that they will not take this kind of action. For birth control, I believe that if parents can’t provide enough, they should have birth control in their family plan instead of having many babies and make them suffer with poverty.
ReplyDeleteAnswer #1. Abortion is indeed a murder because it is killing one's life. Whatever the reasons behind for some partners to abort their babies are not a guarantee to kill or abort their own baby.
ReplyDeleteAnswer#2. " Be Fruitful and Multiply" was commanded only to Adam and Eve. It is not applicable now. It was applicable before because only Adam and Eve was occupying the Earth.
Answer#3 Birth control is not against God's law. Partners should talk with each other and understand the purpose why they control. Just be sure that the contraceptives they use are safe.
Answer#4. Decision, is everyone's right. But sinning and killing is not everybody's right.
*1.Can abortion be called murder for the unborn baby is human?*
ReplyDeleteFrom a Christian standpoint, yes.
The question is, how do we 'judge' the non-Christian world? Do we expect them to conform to Biblical norms, or do we offer and live out Biblical truth as a challenge to the darkness of the world?
*2.“Be fruitful and multiply”, is this obsolete or only applied in certain situation?* Because some say they want to provide quality life for their kids.
Genesis 1:28 says, ""Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." I think we've filled it pretty well.
The Law and the Prophets are not wrong, but we should look at them always guided by love of God, and love for our neighbour. We are given 'rule' (וּרְד֞וּ) over the earth as the image and stewards of God's creation. As stewards, we are to care for that creation, even as it cares for us. That is out of love for God, and so that this creation can be a source of providence for all mankind.
If we are having many children, is that for our glory and honour, or is it for God's? If it is the former, then we are in error. If it is the latter, then may God bless the children.
*3.How do you think of birth control? Is it against God’s plan on human being?*
If God can cause a virgin to give birth, then 2 microns of latex will not stop Him.
If we use birth control to try to limit God though, then the sin is from our thinking and not the birth control.
*4.Is the abortion the woman’s right?*
All human beings have the right to obey God or to turn from Him.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we also have a duty to proclaim the gospel and to spread the fragrance of God. This is always with love for all people... even if they reject God.
Good article Luke!
From day 1 of conception, life has already begun. Abortion is forcing to end the development of life in the womb, therefore, it is murder. I do believe that it’s not a right of women to choose abortion whenever she wants to. Life is from God and it is only He who can take life away. God gave us the freedom to choose in our decisions. We are to be good stewards of that privilege – and that includes family planning.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the part where you wrote about what Christians can do. This gives us practical ideas on how we can reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters who have experienced the same. In a world where people judge others from what they see, it is very important that we see them as how God sees each one of us – special and accepted. While we oppose those who commit abortion, we still do not condemn them.
Issues like these really happen not only with non-Christians but with Christians as well. By being aware of the concern, allows us to broaden our minds and think of ways on how to reach out more effectively to the lost.