Discussing the Distortion of Supporting Abortion as Christians

on August 15, 2014

It may seem as if there will always be a debate as to if one can be Christian and pro-choice. Those who accurately understand the teachings of Jesus Christ and other pro-life sentiments in the Bible know that one cannot be. Notice how I said sentiments. The Bible in fact does not once mention ‘abortion’ by name, though that does not mean we can claim it supports the procedure then, as others would.

In 2012, Fred Clark wrote a Patheos piece tying in the creation of the McDonald’s Happy Meal in 1979 and how soon after Evangelicals decided it says in the Bible that life begins at conception. I’m not sure where the connection is to McDonald’s, the Bible and abortion, but it’s not the most glaring part of the piece.

Clark is speaking about Evangelicals specifically, discussing how as of recently they have stuck to pro-life viewpoints. One of his first few paragraphs is of particular note, however:

Ask any American evangelical, today, what the Bible says about abortion and they will insist that this is what it says. (Many don’t actually believe this, but they know it is the only answer that won’t get them in trouble.) They’ll be a little fuzzy on where, exactly, the Bible says this, but they’ll insist that it does.

While one should refrain from directly referencing the Bible if they’re “fuzzy,” there are passages one can turn to which explain to us how the Bible is a pro-life text, and they don’t even have to do with the scientific fact that life does begin at conception.

A piece of mine for Live Action News from May 2012 mentions the Biblical argument for being pro-life, as does Laura Rose’s. And I’ve also written about the bad example pro-choice Christians set. Priests for Life spends a large part of their ministry informing society on this as well. Perhaps the most articulate piece on how being Christian and pro-choice are incompatible is by Matt Walsh, posted on LifeNews.com.

These pieces are certainly bold, but one cannot truly call themselves a follower of Christ though when they are in support of killing unborn children. We have a duty to care for and look after others who are vulnerable in our society, but one can truly not get more innocent than the child still in the womb.

Yet organizations such as the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) and The Christian Left still exist. The name of RCRC’s organization says it all when it comes to their stance on abortion. And the Christian Left is notorious for their strong dislike, demonization even, of conservatives groups and individuals, including and especially those which are pro-life.

Although Fred Clark’s piece is from February 2012, it was shared on the Facebook page for the group just on August 3. The share came one hour before this post:

It’s a bit disturbing when people say “I’m pro-life.” What that always means is “I believe personhood begins the moment a human egg is fertilized.” What some of these folks seem blind to is that their moral philosophy begins and ends with their own reproductive organs. They have no right whatsoever to impose it on another woman. Assuming that other people must live by your personal moral or religious convictions is unworkable and against the teachings of the Bible. Jesus said to treat your neighbor as you wish to be treated. That would include not trying to force your views on another…

The Christian Left also shared this post on August 5 from May 2011, yet another source which claims that not only does the Bible say nothing about abortion, but that it is pro-choice.

The issue is not so much about “[a]ssuming that other people must live by your personal more or religious convictions…” which is apparently “unworkable and against the teachings of the Bible.” If anything should be called out as such, it is the act of abortion, which destroys the life of one who is truly innocent.

Like other organizations favoring abortion, the Christian Left likes to make a myriad of claims about how those who are against abortion shame women or control their lives, or are anti-women. It’s time to set the record straight. The Bible is not only a pro-life text, but it is completely distorted when claims are made that it is pro-choice in favor of the reproductive autonomy and equal rights of women.

As Matt Walsh said in his post mentioned earlier, Jesus said that whatever we do or failed to do for “the least of His brothers,” in Matthew 25, we do or fail to do for Christ. Now does this apply to women facing crisis pregnancies? Of course. Does this mean we have to offer or support an abortion? Absolutely not. For the unborn child is certainly the least of Christ’s brothers. If we want to show that Christianity is about equality, this also means fighting for equality of the unborn. This does not mean staying silent when it comes to their fate and it certainly does not mean, as others would do, advocating for abortion.

  1. Comment by JohnnyAngel Advocacy Group on August 16, 2014 at 5:44 am

    A passage worth noting in the Bible, I knew you before you were in your mother’s womb. Personhood by God is the greatest example of a reason for NO CHOICE on aborting a newly formed God inspired life. Pro choice is a recent phenomena driven by “hidden” communist tactics in our newly created STATE DICTATING government. Do not be deceived, abortion is but one point of a much grander picture ! Doubt at your own risk !!

The work of IRD is made possible by your generous contributions.

Receive expert analysis in your inbox.