Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1989

Abortion - A Question Of Christian Principles
Betty Toornstra

It never ceases to amaze me, as I watch or read the news, of the overwhelming concern people seem to have for the welfare of nature. A classic example took place in London, Ontario a short while ago. A property owner was preparing to cut down a 100 + year old oak tree as it was blocking his driveway. Neighbours were outraged - practically accusing this man of murder - and did everything within their power to prevent this event from becoming a reality. Even though it was unfortunate that something which had become part of the 'forest' city's heritage was going to be eliminated; nevertheless, the owner still had rights over his own property. (In the end the tree was destroyed).

Why is it that we as citizens win protest unabatedly concerning "things" and yet allow ourselves to remain detached and uninvolved where crucial matters, such as the wilful destruction of human life, are concerned? It horrifies me to come to the realization that, over a period of time, society has become desensitized to the violent act of abortion.

This humanistic view, of which desensitization is a major component, has not come about suddenly, rather it has evolved over the centuries and can even be traced back to the time of creation. Although God designed us in his own image for the purpose of glorifying Him, we (humankind) quickly disregarded his will and foolishly chose to go our own way. though we were created to do good, we have become doers of evil. Throughout history, human beings have turned away from the one true God and author of all life and turned to the god of self, the god of secular humanism. This, in turn, affects how we deal with the issue of abortion.

There are two ethics or schools of thought concerning this issue: the 'quality of life" ethic versus the "sanctity of life" ethic. Those who support the "quality of life" ethic propose that there exists such a thing- as a life not worthy to be lived. Lives are judged by !heir quality and meaningfulness and those who do not meet the required standards should not be allowed to live. In essence, the message being conveyed says that you are only a worthwhile, valuable human being if you are useful and productive and not a financial or emotional burden to society.'

This pragmatic morality was introduced by a German philosopher by the name of Hegel and was heavily propagandized in Germany in the early 1930's. Hitler, an ardent supported of Hegel's theory, orchestrated the slaughter of millions of persons in death camps or "killing centres", as they were called. These lives were taken because they did not qualify as worthy human beings. Doctors, who had taken an oath promising to preserve life, became the "social executioners of the Third Reich".'

Before we impose judgement on those directly involved in the German holocaust, let us take a closer look at our so-called Western civilization. Indeed, John Powell, author of Abortion: The Silent Holocaust, intimates that ethically we are at the same point today as Germany was in the 30's. The question today is the same as it was then; is each person viewed as a unique individual with special qualities or are there lives not worthy to be lived?

As Christians, we believe in the sanctity of life; every human life has value regardless of its physical, mental, etc, handicap. in- their book, Whatever Happened to the Human Race?, Francis Schaeffer and Dr. C. Everett Koop echo this belief.

People are special and human life 'is sacred, whether or not we admit it. Every life is precious and worthwhile in itself - not only to us human beings but also to God. Every person is worth fighting for, regardless of whether he is young or old, sick or well, child or adult, born or unborn, or brown, red, yellow, black or white. (p. 195)

Those of us who truly believe this must actively fight for the rights of the unborn. They cannot speak for themselves we are their only voice against this horrendous injustice. How can we stand idly by while 200 lives a day - the equivalent of 60,000+ lives per year - in Canada alone are being snuffed out by doctors who do not regard life as sacred?

Secular humanism is a deadly disease that is rapidly swallowing up whatever few moral values still exist in our society. We must not allow our own Christian principles - values based on the Bible, God's holy and infallible Word to be compromised.

This means becoming actively involved in this spiritual battle of fighting for the rights of the unborn, in whatever form we are led. Some of us may be led to give of our time and money to support one or more pro-life associations; some of us may have the ability to counsel young women considering abortion. Still others may feel called to open up their home to a pregnant young -girl with no place to go. At the very least, we can join a pro-life organization that will keep us informed and up-to-date on this critically important issue. Above all, we need to make ourselves and others who do not already know, aware of the atrocities taking place in the many abortion clinics and hospitals of Canada.

I am convinced that many young gills who walk into these abortuaries simply do not know what is about to take place; they fail to realize that what is growing inside them is a living person and in a very short time that person is going to be destroyed by one of several different "medical procedures". The life inside them is either going to be ripped apart by a suction machine, or burned by a saline (salt) injection, or delivered alive'(prematurely by a drug called prostaglandin) and left to die in a garbage container. These are the horrifying facts and one precious little life is being taken by violence every eight minutes!

God views each life as sacred and unique from the moment of conception. Psalms 139:13-16 speaks very clearly of this. What also becomes startlingly apparent is our obligation as God's children, to protect and care for the needy. This is one issue in which we cannot sit on the fence. Either we speak out against the slaughter of the innocent through our words and actions or we give our approval by our silence. Remember God is commanding us to get involved.

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weights the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not requite man according to his work? (Prov. 24:11-12)

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