Baptists and abortion

[mlqurgw]

I think Abbadon's point is that Baptists aren't a denomination in the manner most think of denominations. Most denominations are under the rule, to some extent, of a ruling body such as Methodists, Presbyterians and Anglicans. One of the things that make Baptists separate and distinct is that they believe in the autonomy of the local church. That is why there is such a diversity among Baptists concerning many issues. The question would be better asked as what does your Baptist church believe rather than what do Baptists believe? Even among Southern Baptists there is, at least in theory, no hierarchy of rulers as a denomination.

 

[Christian Soldier]

Here's the Southern Baptist Convention's position statement on the sanctity of life, direct from their official website:

Sanctity of Life

"Procreation is a gift from God, a precious trust reserved for marriage. At the moment of conception, a new being enters the universe, a human being, a being created in God's image. This human being deserves our protection, whatever the circumstances of conception."

http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/pssanctity.asp

 

[rainbowpromises]

My Independant Baptist Church does not have a statement on the sanctity of life, however we do seek guidance from Scripture. We believe that Scripture has a lot to say on that matter.

 

[Andy Broadley]

Statement: Abortion

From the Revd David Coffey General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Moderator of the Free Churches Group:

'I welcome the call for an public debate on the current abortion law and fully support the Cardinal and Archbishop in the public statements they have made.

Technology has made it possible for us to see life in the womb as early as 12 weeks and there is a public unease about our current practices. Human life is a gift from God and the medical evidence inescapably points towards the humanity of the embryo.

I think it is entirely appropriate to seek the views of prospective candidates on the issue of abortion although I trust that churches will avoid making this either a single issue for the general election or a party issue.'





There is a debate in government at the moment about abortion laws, and this statement relates to that and the stance of theChristian church in relation to it

 

[NDNgirl4ever]

You're going to have a hard time finding a pro-choice Baptist.

Not necessarily. I'm Southern Baptist, and I'm pro-choice. The decision to have an abortion is the womans. No one else has the right to choose for her, or make her feel bad for her choice.

 

[KarrieTex]

OK, as a woman I am pro-life and DISAGREE that it is the woman's choice alone.

 

[NDNgirl4ever]

OK, as a woman I am pro-life and DISAGREE that it is the woman's choice alone.

Ok, but why do you think that? What supports your argument?
The reason I'm pro-choice is that making abortion illegal will not make it go away. It will only go underground and become totally unregulated and dangerous. I'm a paramedic student and I plan to go to nursing school and become a midwife. As such, I cannot support any anti abortion/pro-life legislation because it will put women in danger. Yes, legal abortion has risks(but they are rare), as all procedures do, but illegal abortion has many more. I'd much rather see a woman have a legal abortion in a sterile enviroment, performed by a trained doctor and/ or midwife (in areas that allow that) than I would see her have one performed in a motel somewhere with a dirty hanger by someone who has no idea what they are doing. That's the reality of illegal abortion. That's the reason I'm pro-choice.

 

[Epiphoskei]

The argument based on women's health issues is baseless. It's murder. If a woman commits a moral atrocity against another human being and harms herself, her blood is on her own head, since the damage was a direct result of a murder.

We do not tolerate moral outrages simply because they will happen anyway.

 

[jive4005]

Can't speak for any other church, but Sinners2Saints Ministries (Independent Baptist) preaches against abortion, as well as against capitol punishment and euphanasia.

rev

 

[NDNgirl4ever]

The argument based on women's health issues is baseless

I assume that by women's health you mean protecting women from risks of unsafe, illegal abortion. In that case:

No it's not. Women have a right to a safe, legal abortion. Anti-abortion people cannot prove with 100% accuracy that it's murder. The procedure wasn't mentioned in the Bible. If it's such an ultimate evil, why didn't they actually name the procedure with all the other sins in the Bible? . The Bible verses mentioned by anti-abortion people as 'proof' that it's murder don't actually have anything to do with abortion. The 'evidence' that it's murder is stetchy at best. Example: The verses that mention God forming us or knowing us in the womb. That's true, but that doesn't mean a 12 week fetus is alive. A builder has blueprints and 'knows' the building that they are working on. But that doesn't mean the blueprints are the same thing as the building. It's the same with fetuses. God knowing how He is going to make something doesn't mean it's alive. Adam wasn't alive as God was making him. He was given life only after his body was fully formed, when God breathed into his lungs. That's why I think fetuses can only be considered alive once their lungs are developed enough for them to survive outside the womb, and this happens in the late second/early third trimester (well after most abortions happen). You can't really be called alive unless you can breathe.

However,we can prove without a doubt that the woman is a fully independent human. There's no doubt about it. Therefore, her rights come first.

What I don't think anti-abortion people realize is that making abortion illegal won't save anyone. The death rates will rise, not fall. Your saying that you don't care if the woman dies. That is NOT pro-life at all.

If you mean women's health as in cases where the pregnancy threatens her life, yes there are cases where abortion is needed to save the woman. In fact, for some conditions, like tubal ectopic pregnancy, it's the only treatment.

So yes, the women health argument is valid.

 

[shrewdsnake]

I personally have never met a Baptist who isn't pro-life. They all consider abortion murder and a sin but can be forgiven. I also have never met a Baptist woman who had amniocentesis done. Most have said God is in control and what ever happens, happens.

I think it says little for women that is abortion was illegal they would go get them anyway instead of using birth control.

 

[MsScarlett]

I think it says little for women that is abortion was illegal they would go get them anyway instead of using birth control.

I don't think anyone mentioned or even considered, in this discussion, abortion instead of contraception.

 

[Ave Maria]

Think about what you believe and can you back it up with Scripture?

I happen to agree with you that abortion is wrong and it is murder, but it is not because of what my church teaches. It is because of what I have learned in the Bible.

I also believe that abortion is wrong because of what I know scripture teaches.

 

[suzieqtc69]

ive been around Baptist churches most of my adult life, and yes although i agree with most of their teachings, i go on what Jesus says and what the Bible says, and not what my church tells me.

Both Jesus and the Bible are clear that it is wrong, however all sin is wrong and if we sin we must repent and be forgiven. i am the child of a rape and was unloved by my parents who never wanted me. for years their treatment of me made me want do kill myself, however as it says that "God chose us while we were still in our mothers womb", that is what happened for me and when i came to know Jesus i could be truly glad i was born and had the chance of a life and salvation and on from that, have eternal live with Jesus my Lord and Saviour.

i would personally not want to be one to end a life even if it was not wanted, as who are we to say what we could be stopping God from achieving in that childs life when they grow up, and thats real scary.

 

[TwistTim]

From the work:
"The Didache

The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations."

Chapter 2. The Second Commandment: Grave Sin Forbidden. And the second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born. You shall not covet the things of your neighbor, you shall not swear, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life.Bare in mind the above IExtra-Biblical) book was actually from the Apostles to the Disciples, not from the lips of Jesus Himself, yet it was viewed by them as the way to understand things around them.... Abortion did exisit back then... and it was equated with Murder...

I noticed one argument used in here in favor of abortion was "it will happen anyways, so let us help it in a clean environment" are you also in favor of rape if it's done in a sterile cage? or physician assisted suicide? maybe it's ok to lie as long as it's politicians who do it? and stealing is ok as long as the victim isn't harmed in the process?

I got more of those... my point is Situational Ethics is a bad idea in light of knowing something to be a sin, if it's a sin leave off doing it, if you are in a position of leadership, warn others about the dangers of it, if necessary to combat the evil, take the fight to the government but only after you have tried to reason with people around you.

By the Way, I don't mean to condemn anyone with this line of reasoning, I just wanted to point out it's flaw...

I am pro-life, my mother had an abortion, she lives with the grief and pain and sorrows of that decision. Yes, she's forgiven for her sin, yes she's repented of them, but there is still emotions that person must live with.... that is some she must.... we all have things we wish we didn't do... but we did... we try to move and with God's help we will, else, we fail and lie in the dust forever.

 

[MsSpongebob]

I am and was raised southern baptist and am pro choice

 

[Sam48]

It is wrong but there are exceptions~~ to say circumstances where there's no other option.

 

[shrewdsnake]

I don't think anyone mentioned or even considered, in this discussion, abortion instead of contraception.

I may not have been said but I don't see where it's not true either.

 

[walloffire]

I am curious,, are most of the main baptist churches against abortion? it seems lotsa protestant denominations are saying abortion is ok now and I was wondering was the main view from the baptist churches were..

well, just think if Jesus had been aborted, and you have the baptist or any Christian's position on abortion.

 

[Meep]

well, just think if Jesus had been aborted, and you have the baptist or any Christian's position on abortion.

Or conversely think what the world would be like if Hitler had been aborted.

I don't want to live where rapists have carte blanche to force women to carry children against their will for their own egos.