In my last blog attention was focused on two hot-bed topics in our present cultural climate: human anatomy and human sexuality. I would like to continue this line of thinking by focusing on another of those topics: abortion. It has once again been thrust into the spotlight due to recent discussions focused on overturning the decision made in Roe v. Wade.

Two opposing views continue to be the center of attention in this ongoing debate: pro-choice and pro-life. These two views can be summarized as follows. Those who claim to be pro-choice argue that a woman has the right to choose to do as she wishes with her body. Those who claim to be pro-life argue that at the moment of conception there is a viable human being in the womb, and that human life is sacred and should be given every protection humans are guaranteed. I realize that those summary statements are extremely simplistic, with many different aspects to the topic, but for the focus of this blog we will work with those definitions.

Attention will be focused first on the pro-choice stance. Again, as stated above, this is the commonly held belief that a woman can choose on her own without any external coercion, constraint, or compulsion, whether she wants to give birth to the child who has been conceived in her womb. The phrase, “My body, my choice,” is often used by those who assert their right to do as they wish with their body.

This may sound like a reasonable thing to say, believe, and practice. But before we reach that conclusion, let’s look a little closer at this assertion. The words, “my body”, are referring to the physical, biological body a person is born with. And yes, it is the right of every individual to do as they please with and to their body. If one chooses to drink alcohol, they have the right to do so. If they choose to use illegal drugs, then again, they have every right. If they choose to engage in unprotected sex, then they are at liberty to do so. If they should even choose to end their life they are at liberty to commit such an act. Each of these acts, along with countless others that could be mentioned, are acts committed with and to our physical bodies.

This is not the case with abortion. The baby growing in the womb is not part of the woman’s body, but rather it is a human being with its own human body. From the moment of conception the child’s DNA has already determined hair color, eye color, general body build. This is a real human being. So, to say “My body, my choice,” cannot be applied to the body of a distinctly different body drawing nourishment from the mother. The problem is that the body inside the body cannot choose for himself/herself whether he/she should live or die. Someone else must make that decision.

It is my opinion that this should never be an option. I know that some reading this may think that I am living in a fictional world with unrealistic expectations, and perhaps I am. However, in my fictionalized world, the choice has already been made before the doctor announces to the woman that she is pregnant. The choice was made when the woman decides to engage in sexual relations. That is the real choice in the matter. Once one has made that choice, then they should be willing to give birth to the child who has been conceived in her womb.

What about those who claim to be pro-life? What is their reasoning for holding to such a mentality? Basically, the reasoning is based on the belief that man is created in the image of God. This is based on the Bible’s teaching that God is the creator of life, the giver of life, the sustainer of life, and the One to whom every life is accountable. Therefore, life should be viewed as sacred, bearing the marks of the Creator Himself.

There are many passages of Scripture, as well as many Biblical characters, whose lives show clearly the involvement of God in the process of conception, pre-natal development, birth, and growth through the different stages of life. David attests to the fact that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Jeremiah states that he was called to be a prophet while still in his mother’s womb. Paul asserts that he was called to be the missionary to the Gentiles before his birth. John the Baptist leaped with joy in his mother’s womb when Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth.

Each of these Biblical examples show clearly that life is obviously very precious to God. When one decides to engage in sexual relations which then result in pregnancy, then that child bears the marks of the image of God. Precious indeed!

It is the opinion of this writer that when persons make the decision to engage in sexual relations, they should weigh out the potential consequences of that action. The choice to have sex, with full knowledge of the possibility of a resulting pregnancy, is the choice that should be given serious consideration. Once that decision has been made, then one should be ready to accept a resulting pregnancy.

The Bible gives clear guidelines for sexual relations. Those guidelines are not difficult to understand. Premarital sex is forbidden, as are extra-marital affairs. Sex is a beautiful gift of God, but should only be engaged in within the parameters of God’s word. When the choice is made to go outside those parameters and make choices contrary to the clear teachings of Scripture, then one should be ready to bear the consequences of those actions.