Rev Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, the new Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts recently gave a sermon saying that abortions are a blessing. She lays out four examples, and ends each with the statement, "the abortion is a blessing."
She started off with an example that many would find they agree with. Maybe not that it is a blessing, but that it is semi-acceptable.
"When a woman finds herself pregnant due to violence and chooses an abortion, it is the violence that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing."
Her next example will find fewer supporters, yet it is still something that many would find to be an acceptable option, though maybe not a blessing.
"When a woman finds that the fetus she is carrying has anomalies incompatible with life, that it will not live and that she requires an abortion – often a late-term abortion – to protect her life, her health, or her fertility, it is the shattering of her hopes and dreams for that pregnancy that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing."
There are far fewer supporters for her last two examples, with many saying that abortions should not be allowed as a "get out of jail free" card to those who make poor decisions. Though it is still a woman's right to make that choice for herself and we cannot judge the experiences that lead to the decisions she is making, nor can we judge the decision itself.
"When a woman wants a child but can’t afford one because she hasn’t the education necessary for a sustainable job, or access to health care, or day care, or adequate food, it is the abysmal priorities of our nation, the lack of social supports, the absence of justice that are the tragedies; the abortion is a blessing."
"And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight -- only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing."
The bible does not specifically address the issue of abortion, and I don't think any amount of Christian dogma or doctrine can make up for what the bible says or doesn't say.
Jeremiah 1:5 is often quoted as a verse that shows God's view on abortion, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," along with Psalm 139:13-16, another verse that talks about God's role in our creation in the womb. But that is just talking about the role of God in creation, not in the placement of the soul in the body at that moment. God has his hand in the creation of everything. He knows everything before He creates it.
Exodus 21:22-25 is another verse that is used to show how God punishes those that cause (perform) abortions,
"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth . . ."
While I don't think this verse has anything to do with abortion, both sides of the debate have used it to either defend, or condemn the act.
The pro-abortion side says that it clearly states that if the fetus dies, then a beating is due, but if the woman dies, then it shall be a life for a life, thus showing that the fetus isn’t a “life”.
The anti-abortion side likes to say that certain words have been mistranslated and that if you read it in the original Hebrew there would be no way you could use it for a pro-abortion argument.
Whether we interpret the verses as pro, or anti-abortion, it doesn’t matter. We can all twist scripture to say whatever we want through all sorts of arguments, but that isn’t going to help any.
Abortions are going to happen. Whether we label them as right or wrong, they are still going to take place. This is not the time to condemn; this is the time to show love. The Christian stance on abortion is one of the major issues that is showcased to the world when describing the ignorance and out-datedness of Christianity. Now I’m not saying we need to change our beliefs to be more popular, but I think we are making the wrong thing the center of attention.
When people think of Christianity and abortions, they think of those selfish assholes that stand outside picketing abortion clinics. What a travesty this is! Christians shouldn’t be known for their arrogance, their ignorance and their hatefulness. This is the perfect opportunity to reach out, to show people that we are caring, loving people that aren’t going to judge you for the decisions you make. We should have support groups, counselling services, and an open, accepting invitation to all women that make the decision to have an abortion. We should be known for our love and support, not our hatred and judgement.
Christianity is about love. Picketing abortion clinics is not love. Judging people for the decisions they make is not love.
Now I'm not arguing statistics here. I know that the majority of abortions are for the reason of convenience. And I’m not going to say that abortions are a “blessing.” Abortions will always be a contentious issue, and I just think that gives us all the more opportunity to change this image people have of Christians. Lose the picket signs and hateful slogans and pickup an attitude of love and forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what you believe, whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, what matters is how you love those that are making the decision.
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I will comment further from a book called 'mere morality' which is a rabbi speaking on the 10 commandments and of course 'thou shalt not murder'. I have to bone up on it before commenting on that, but I will offer this reasonable retort:
Do not, in you labeling of picketing christians limit our scope to that forum alone. Prolife clinics and support groups are all over the place. Single unwed pregnancies all over are supported (the sinner not the sin) and some have their own support groups to encourage the woman to go through with the pregnancy and shows them the basic skills needed to either raise the child, or give it up for adoption to those who are more capable to raise said child. To say 'we should do this, we should do that' falls on deaf ears - It's those people in the church who are the 'we shoulds' that are the same ones to look at the spec in someone else's eye and not the log in theirs. Perhaps the argument should lend itself to 'I should' - This would allow for change from within and not from intolerance without; that is, volunteering our time to further the prolife movement and not being intolerant towards those who choose to picket. Although picketing in our view is intolerant and inadequate to show the love of the church, at least they are doing something about their faith within the rights of our democratic nation (political leaders SEE these picketers as votes!). It is the talk with no action christians that are truly the advocators of abortion, doing nothing, saying nothing, achieving nothing.
I am glad there are pro-life clinics and support groups. I'm also glad that there are pro-choice clinics and support groups. I'm glad that option is out there, and that people can make the choice that needs to be made.
The problem is that the Christians (and pro-lifers in general) that picket abortion clinics are giving Christianity a bad name. It may be their way of "doing something about their faith within the rights of our democratic nation" but there is no love in that act.
The "we should" that I talk about includes me, it includes the "I should," because "I am". I am a supporter of those who have to make the choice, no matter their decision. One day I would love to serve in a meaningful capacity to support the men that are affected by these choices.
In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus tells us not to judge, less we be judged. What He is talking about here is to not be a hypocrite, which is what I'm trying to avoid. Jesus came with a message of love, picketing is not about love. I am not rebuking them for being pro-life; I am rebuking them for not loving. For their actions as Christians effect me as a Christian, and our religion is judgmental enough that we don’t need to bring further negativity upon us.
Wow.How very brave of you! Abortion is a touchy subject.
Personally, I DO not believe in abortion as a form of birth control. A woman that is raped should not be forced to have a baby that is the result.
You are broke and can't afford a baby? What about adoption? Adoption has touched my life and the lives of many people that I know personally.
I believe in freedom of choice - I just wish that more women would make an informed choice, and not make a choice based on all considerations, not just convience.
Thanks Biddie. It is a touchy subject, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness and level-headedness of your response.
Killing a human being, especially an innocent life, is never a blessing. Never. At best it is a sad reality.
I agree that picketers are not helping the women who have made this sad choice, but that may not be their aim.
It should be obvious, though, that we can't get women to not reject the inconvenient lives inside them, if we are not offering them the love we want them to demonstrate.
Abortion--legal or illegal--has always ultimately been up to the woman. We can legislate all we want but we can't force a woman to carry a baby to term if she doesn't want it. Only love, support, and increased emphasis of adoption advocacy will make more women see an alternate route.
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