Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, so I figure it is a great time to continue our conversation on the question on Life or Choice. As is apparent with the replies on the last post this is a heated debate with lots of emotion. The emotion on both sides of the debate is understandable but we as a society must come to a point of resolution. So let’s address a couple of issues when it comes to this question of Life and Choice.
First, we as individuals and as a society must come to a point of realizing the precious gift of life. Life isn’t something to be tossed away or neglected. Life is a gift and something that must be held as precious. It doesn’t matter how old or how young that life is, it is precious and must be treated as such. Throughout history the critical mistake of devaluing a life or lives has been repeated more times than it should. This can be seen in the Holocaust with the attempted extermination of Jews. This can be seen in the countless cases of slavery that still plagues humanity. This can be seen in racism and sexism as one group is devalued. To devalue life in the case of abortion is no different. A life is precious no matter the age, the gender, or the ethnicity. Life is a precious gift.
Further, life is seen as precious throughout Scripture. For instance in Genesis mankind is made in the image of God (Imago Dei). Being made in the image of God isn’t something to be trivialized, but should give us a clear indicator of the preciousness of life. Scripture also teaches that it is God who has created us. In Psalm 139:13 it states, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb” (NASB).
Second, we as society must protect those who have no voice and are the most defenseless. The Bible teaches us exactly this. In the Old Testament we see over and over the care for orphans and widows. Deuteronomy 27:19 states, “‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” Why were they to be cared for by society? Because they were the most defenseless of that day. Today an additional group is the unborn child. They have no say and no defense, therefore they must be protected.
Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:) CEV
39. A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. 41. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her.
At six month during Elizabeth pregnancy, John the Baptist moved with joy at hearing Jesus’ mother voice. More proof that a precious life (human being) can hear inside his mother. Please protect the Sanctity of Human Life!
While this is a special case that is pointing toward the herald (John the Baptist) hearing the Messiah (Jesus) even while in the womb, it has been proven that babies in the womb can hear. An article on Pregnancy.org states, “In only the third month of your baby’s life in the womb, his or her hearing is starting to develop fully. Around mid-term, you will begin to feel your baby’s reaction to certain noises. You feel a kick or a poke when daddy is around, telling you he or she recognises that particular voice.”