Introduction
The Christian Action Foundation is a national, voluntary organization of citizens who seek to express the redemption truth of Jesus Christ and the biblically revealed precepts of God in all their societal relationships and institutions. Membership chapters are found in ten states. Membership is open to all Christian believers, regardless of church affiliation, who wish to share the blessings of the Christian commitment with the entire citizenry of the land.
The present presentation deals with the matter of abortion and is submitted to the Legislature in the hope that it may constitute a contribution toward the solution of a vexing problem, for the well-being of society as a whole.
The Task of Government
It is our conviction that the Government has a definite task in the matter of abortion.
Advocates of liberal abortion legislation maintain that it is a woman’s personal right and freedom to terminate a pregnancy.
We submit that this individualistic view of freedom is humanistically inspired and will, ultimately, cause much grief in the land. Citizens have obligations toward one another and toward the nation as a whole. To terminate or not to terminate a pregnancy affects the well-being of all.
The Government, we feel, is responsible for the protection of every citizen, also the unborn children. The Government is the bearer of divine authority and justice (Psalm 2; John 19:11; Romans 13:1), and, therefore, must safeguard the rights of the unborn child.
The Sanctity of Prenatal Life
The question of when life actually begins is a very complex one. Some feel that personality and individuality can only be ascribed to a child at birth. Others maintain that this can only be said of the fetus during more advanced stages of pregnancy. Again others insist that the embryo must be thought of as a human being upon conception.
We submit that, regardless of these stages of development, the growing organism in a mother’s womb may never be viewed in isolation from the fact that it is a potential unique human individual. The Bible recognizes the high dignity of the unborn organism. The Psalmist testified, “Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). Concerning the prophet Jeremiah, God says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). And John the Baptist, before he was born, responded to the presence of the Lord (see Luke 1:41, 44).
In accordance with the Biblical directive, Paul Ramsey, a theologian of Princeton University, stated that the fetal tissue constitutes a unique genetic package which deserves the same moral considerations as an infant. Dr. Herbert Richardson, of Harvard Divinity School, speaking at an international conference on abortion held in Washington, D.C. in September 1967, spoke of the “unspoken consensus” among Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish theologians that the fetus has a certain dignity and human right.
We confess that the unborn child is a potential human being, an image bearer of God, who must be guaranteed the opportunity to respond in faith and obedience to God’s claim upon his life. The problem of abortion must, therefore, not be left to private decision, but must be governed by the laws of a society which revere this high evaluation of human life.
The Spirit of this Age
It would seem to us that the drive toward easy abortion laws is part of a definite philosophy. Though it is a very old philosophy it has found widespread acceptance today. This philosophy emphasizes that the purpose of life can best be realized by seeking the enjoyable and the pleasurable. More and more people seem to think that ease and self-gratification are worthy goals to be pursued. Hence the notion is gaining ground that pregnancy with its inconvenience is something to be avoided.
But this philosophy has never made a nation great. The Christian tradition has propounded nobler ideals from the Holy Scriptures. It has stressed that the fulfillment of life lies in serving God and fellowman. Joy and happiness result from entering wholeheartedly upon the responsibilities of life. This, we feel, also applies to the blessings of parenthood.
In this connection we must make mention of incest and rape. We are fully aware of the deeply tragic implications of these crimes in our society. Before legislation is accepted which would supposedly solve these problems swiftly, we plead however for further studies of the deeper ills which caused these tragedies, and also of the broader implications which abortions in these cases will entail. We maintain that a simple removal of the painful results of rape and incest does not necessarily mean that the underlying causes are removed.
It should also be pointed out that proponents of free abortions tend to exaggerate the prevalence of incest and rape in order to strengthen their case in favor of abortion for every woman who desires it. Thus the suggested cure for the abnormal is furtively given universal validity.
Broader Consequences of Abortion
It is important to note that many authorities who have no qualms about the moral implications of free abortion are, nevertheless, reticent to give wholehearted endorsement of its wider practice.
It has become apparent that abortion creates more problems than it solves.
Countries with liberal abortion Jaws report some of the ill effects of abortion. Sweden, for instance, has witnessed an increase in mental anguish among women who prematurely ended their pregnancy. Moreover it should be clearly understood that freedom in abortions will unavoidably bring about repeat abortions in the same women. Dr. Gustav Mehlen, of Germany, speaking at the International Council of Abortion in Sydney in September 1968 indicated that in some countries every second pregnancy is aborted. In Hungary abortions now exceed births. The Japanese Health Ministry recommended that birth control programs replace abortion programs because of the undesirable after effects on aborted mothers. Dr. Myer Sims, speaking at the Washington Conference on abortion, has spoken of abortion as “a nasty, messy business,” which he docs not consider one of the great achievements of the 20th century. Commonweal Magazine of June 30, 1967 has documented the emotional and physical ailments which frequently result from abortion.
It must be remembered that the liberalization of abortion laws ultimately involves the state in moving along the treacherous road that leads to the legalization of euthanasia, the practice of mercy killing. It is striking to note that the forces in the British Parliament which succeeded in legalizing abortion a few years ago have now introduced legislation which would make euthanasia legal in England.
Recommendations
1. WE RECOMMEND that tile Legislature and the Government maintain the existing legal restrictions in abortion practices since liberalization of abortion laws reflects the failure of our society to view human life as sacred, prepares the way for dehumanization of our culture, and contributes to the ground-swell of immorality which already threatens to engulf us.
2. WE RECOMMEND that before legislative changes in abortion matters be inaugurated, a comprehensive study be made of all the implications af abortion in cases of rape, incest and the malformed fetus, since these must be recognized as uniquely abnormal in their occurrence, and as such should not be allowed to become normative for ordinary pregnancies.
The Christian Action Foundation is a national, voluntary organization of citizens who seek to express the redemption truth of Jesus Christ and the biblically revealed precepts of God in all their societal relationships and institutions. Membership chapters are found in ten states. Membership is open to all Christian believers, regardless of church affiliation, who wish to share the blessings of the Christian commitment with the entire citizenry of the land.
The present presentation deals with the matter of abortion and is submitted to the Legislature in the hope that it may constitute a contribution toward the solution of a vexing problem, for the well-being of society as a whole.
The Task of Government
It is our conviction that the Government has a definite task in the matter of abortion.
Advocates of liberal abortion legislation maintain that it is a woman’s personal right and freedom to terminate a pregnancy.
We submit that this individualistic view of freedom is humanistically inspired and will, ultimately, cause much grief in the land. Citizens have obligations toward one another and toward the nation as a whole. To terminate or not to terminate a pregnancy affects the well-being of all.
The Government, we feel, is responsible for the protection of every citizen, also the unborn children. The Government is the bearer of divine authority and justice (Psalm 2; John 19:11; Romans 13:1), and, therefore, must safeguard the rights of the unborn child.
The Sanctity of Prenatal Life
The question of when life actually begins is a very complex one. Some feel that personality and individuality can only be ascribed to a child at birth. Others maintain that this can only be said of the fetus during more advanced stages of pregnancy. Again others insist that the embryo must be thought of as a human being upon conception.
We submit that, regardless of these stages of development, the growing organism in a mother’s womb may never be viewed in isolation from the fact that it is a potential unique human individual. The Bible recognizes the high dignity of the unborn organism. The Psalmist testified, “Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). Concerning the prophet Jeremiah, God says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). And John the Baptist, before he was born, responded to the presence of the Lord (see Luke 1:41, 44).
In accordance with the Biblical directive, Paul Ramsey, a theologian of Princeton University, stated that the fetal tissue constitutes a unique genetic package which deserves the same moral considerations as an infant. Dr. Herbert Richardson, of Harvard Divinity School, speaking at an international conference on abortion held in Washington, D.C. in September 1967, spoke of the “unspoken consensus” among Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish theologians that the fetus has a certain dignity and human right.
We confess that the unborn child is a potential human being, an image bearer of God, who must be guaranteed the opportunity to respond in faith and obedience to God’s claim upon his life. The problem of abortion must, therefore, not be left to private decision, but must be governed by the laws of a society which revere this high evaluation of human life.
The Spirit of this Age
It would seem to us that the drive toward easy abortion laws is part of a definite philosophy. Though it is a very old philosophy it has found widespread acceptance today. This philosophy emphasizes that the purpose of life can best be realized by seeking the enjoyable and the pleasurable. More and more people seem to think that ease and self-gratification are worthy goals to be pursued. Hence the notion is gaining ground that pregnancy with its inconvenience is something to be avoided.
But this philosophy has never made a nation great. The Christian tradition has propounded nobler ideals from the Holy Scriptures. It has stressed that the fulfillment of life lies in serving God and fellowman. Joy and happiness result from entering wholeheartedly upon the responsibilities of life. This, we feel, also applies to the blessings of parenthood.
In this connection we must make mention of incest and rape. We are fully aware of the deeply tragic implications of these crimes in our society. Before legislation is accepted which would supposedly solve these problems swiftly, we plead however for further studies of the deeper ills which caused these tragedies, and also of the broader implications which abortions in these cases will entail. We maintain that a simple removal of the painful results of rape and incest does not necessarily mean that the underlying causes are removed.
It should also be pointed out that proponents of free abortions tend to exaggerate the prevalence of incest and rape in order to strengthen their case in favor of abortion for every woman who desires it. Thus the suggested cure for the abnormal is furtively given universal validity.
Broader Consequences of Abortion
It is important to note that many authorities who have no qualms about the moral implications of free abortion are, nevertheless, reticent to give wholehearted endorsement of its wider practice.
It has become apparent that abortion creates more problems than it solves.
Countries with liberal abortion Jaws report some of the ill effects of abortion. Sweden, for instance, has witnessed an increase in mental anguish among women who prematurely ended their pregnancy. Moreover it should be clearly understood that freedom in abortions will unavoidably bring about repeat abortions in the same women. Dr. Gustav Mehlen, of Germany, speaking at the International Council of Abortion in Sydney in September 1968 indicated that in some countries every second pregnancy is aborted. In Hungary abortions now exceed births. The Japanese Health Ministry recommended that birth control programs replace abortion programs because of the undesirable after effects on aborted mothers. Dr. Myer Sims, speaking at the Washington Conference on abortion, has spoken of abortion as “a nasty, messy business,” which he docs not consider one of the great achievements of the 20th century. Commonweal Magazine of June 30, 1967 has documented the emotional and physical ailments which frequently result from abortion.
It must be remembered that the liberalization of abortion laws ultimately involves the state in moving along the treacherous road that leads to the legalization of euthanasia, the practice of mercy killing. It is striking to note that the forces in the British Parliament which succeeded in legalizing abortion a few years ago have now introduced legislation which would make euthanasia legal in England.
Recommendations
1. WE RECOMMEND that tile Legislature and the Government maintain the existing legal restrictions in abortion practices since liberalization of abortion laws reflects the failure of our society to view human life as sacred, prepares the way for dehumanization of our culture, and contributes to the ground-swell of immorality which already threatens to engulf us.
2. WE RECOMMEND that before legislative changes in abortion matters be inaugurated, a comprehensive study be made of all the implications af abortion in cases of rape, incest and the malformed fetus, since these must be recognized as uniquely abnormal in their occurrence, and as such should not be allowed to become normative for ordinary pregnancies.