The other day, I heard something on the radio that I just can not get it out of my mind. When I turned on the radio, I heard a man and a woman conversing about the issue of abortion. It is easy to tell they have taken the “anti-abortion” position, which is perfectly reasonable as far as I am concerned. However, the conversation quickly turned into the a discussion that the pregnancy should never be terminated even if it comes as the result of a violent rape. I could respect their views so far, but what the lady said next really got me upset. She said something like “it is commonly stated that every moment of the pregnancy the woman would be reminded of the violence, I disagree.” I simply can not fathom who give her the right to make such a statement.
The people in the US who took the extreme position that a pregnancy can not be terminated no matter what are typically Christians. So far as I can tell, the rationale of this position is derived from the command "love thy neighbour." The unborn child is a life created by God and therefore a neighbor. This is a very reasonable application of the bible. However, taking an extreme stand on this position to the point of denying legitimate feelings is violating the spirit of the command.
Some time ago, there was report of 23-year-old mother being charged in her 8-year-old son's death [report 1] [report 2]. This kid was conceived when the mother was about 14, likely through some traumatic circumstance because she treated her other kid normally. A pastor said that the more loving thing that could have been done here would be for someone to minister to the mother and someone to adopt the kid. I couldn't agree more.
Yes, speaking up for the unborn is a stand for life itself, definitely a good thing. However, taking this point to the extreme of ignoring the feeling of the mother clearly forgot that the mother is also a "neighbor" too, someone that deserves at least as much love as the unborn child. According to 1 John 4:20, one who professes a love for the unborn (whom he has not seen) but neglects the mother (whom he has seen) is a liar.
I John 4:20 If a man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
PS: Here is a piece by George Carlin that expresses this view in a much more colorful way. Warning George Carlin is famous for very colorful language.
