My Sunday Thought for 071518: Abortion and Biblical "Interpretation"

Jayden Jack (33 week, 3 lbs. 6 oz. preemie)

"There are moments and memories in my life that are at the core of my being. They make up who I was and who I’ve become. But nothing in my life has compared to the love and pride I felt when I laid eyes on my son Jayden Jack. I cried again. He was perfect. My little preemie baby. I was a dad. What an incredible feeling. I knew he, as well as my wife and I, had a journey ahead of us. But I wouldn’t have it any other way."

-- Joel Brens, "The Day I Became a NICU Dad"

I wanted to cut back on posting between "My Sunday Thought" for each week.  Hard as I try, there are forces out there (re: The League of the Perpetually Offended) which will not stand for it.  Fine, I will take up armor and sword, once again, in the defense of helpless innocence.

As a man, I feel I have no point of reference to even thing of judging what a woman feels, her emotions, concerning her own biological issues.  As with any real man, I do have a vested interest when it comes to the murder of life in the womb for the express purpose of selfishly disposing of a "mistake," or selling the flesh for monetary gain in scientific research.  Valid medical reasons for an abortion, reasons which endanger the mother or the unborn child should be weighed by the parents and, in particular, the mother.  Rape is a non-player since this should be taken care of immediately with a "morning after" pill.

I do not, often, find scripture to be anything more than parables.  These parables, however, were intended to explain difficult concepts to the uneducated masses of the day.  I am quoting from Holy Scripture, in this post, as it is constantly thrown in my face by folks, and usually out of context.

Holy Scripture states only a fine will be levied against those who kill a child in the womb.  This is the type of pro-abortion reasoning which was presented to me during my previous post on the issue, Abort! Abort! Abort!, published the middle of last month, and the argument is fine, except for being presented out of context.  Taken in context, however, it seems to present a much different picture.  What I was presented was, essentially, the following:  

"If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 

-- Exodus 21:22

The context of this statement, however, is found in the second line which was not presented:

But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise"

--  Exodus 21:23-25

That little tidbit, the context presented in that second sentence, evidences a much different viewpoint.  The verse does not differentiate between harm to mother or unborn child.  It would, therefore, indicate that "serious injury" to mother or unborn child is grounds for punishment above and beyond a simple fine, up to and including capital punishment.  This is another case where evidence has been presented, out of context, to push an idea which, it would seem, has little merit.  You simply cannot excuse murdering innocence, even bak then.

This verse does not address abortions due to rape or pregnancy which threatens the life or health of the mother, and I have found no explanation as to why.  My own view of rape is one reason why we developed a "morning after" pill, the other reason being, "Oh crap!"  Accidents happen in the heat of passion.  I also think any threat to the life or health of the mother should remain the mother's purview, as long as the pregnancy is viable.  But this is just my opinion, and we all have one. 

Let's take a look at several more passages from scripture, just for shits and grins:

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit… "As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy"

-- Luke 1:41, 44

Remembering, of course, that a baby is not alive until it takes its first breath, so we can assume this not live creature is leaping for joy in the womb?  Right... let's continue:

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live"

-- Deuteronomy 30:19

Even Moses understood life in the womb was a cherished thing.  It would seem the seed he refers to may or may not have been born.  Is there recognition, here, of the value of the unborn as the continuation of humanity, the survival of mankind upon this earth?  This, of course, unless the unborn child is damaged, right?

So the LORD said to him, 'Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?"

-- Exodus 4:11

God makes all of us for a purpose, even the damaged among us are the blessed of God, and more so if we understand God created them to endure their life for a purpose unknown to us.  The damaged, the infirm, the weak, and the innocent, are the most beloved of the Lord.  Who are we to judge against them?  Well, who are we to judge God? 

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands?' Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?' This is what the LORD says—the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question Me about My children, or give Me orders about the work of My hands?"

-- Isaiah 45:9-11

The discussion on legalities and punishment for abortion has been going on for for a thousand years before Christ, and we have settled little on the subject since.  Aristotle, for instance , wrote the difference between lawful and unlawful abortion was dependent on the fetus "having sensation and being alive."  He considered the human soul to be present at 40 days for male and 90 days for female.

The fact that we have progressed little on the question can be found in historical records concerning whether it was viewed as a crime, or not.  Another example of this ancient "debate" was given in Wikipedia:

The Vedic and smrti laws of India reflected a concern with preserving the male seed of the three upper castes; and the religious courts imposed various penances for the woman or excommunication for a priest who provided an abortion. The only evidence of the death penalty being mandated for abortion in the ancient laws is found in Assyrian Law, in the Code of Assura, c. 1075 BC; and this is imposed only on a woman who procures an abortion against her husband's wishes.

-- Wikipedia, "History of abortion"

Who are we to question the works of God?  Who are we to judge God as imperfect, or speak to God's intent?  In all humility we should thank God for the gifts created for this world, especially when it come to his greatest gift of the child.  We need to learn that what we see as imperfect, a mistake, or damaged, are simply our lessons to learn there is beauty and purpose in everything upon the earth.

I almost forgot to clarify the obvious, yet again.  To my way of thinking, this does not cover rape, which can and should be taken care of immediately.  This does not preclude abortion due to safety of the mother, or birth defects inhibiting quality of life for the child.  However, I do believe the latter falls under the purview of the mother - her body, her life, her child.  Even children afflicted with Down syndrome have been living longer and more normal, productive lives, with very happy families.  Try attending a Special Olympics if you want an eye opener.

We need to understand that which we do daily, by rote.  We peel the orange, the banana, and such, because we understand, without thinking, the outer skin is simply a wrapping to protect the fruit, and the seeds for future crops, as the chaff protects the wheat or the womb protects the child.  We don't think much about it, we just accept the wrapper protects the fruit.  We understand what lies within is often the greatest reward! 

What we're discussing is when the protective peel attacks the fruit within.

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward"

-- Psalm 127:3

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.