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In terms of topics that are often hotly debated (with respect to religious views), abortion is almost always at the top of the list. So many people seem to be divided on abortion, and even those who may be against abortion may support certain cases of abortion. I thought I would offer my perspective on a few of these hot topics.

Is Abortion Okay If the Mother Could Die? Is it a Form of Self Defence?

First, some say abortion is okay in self defense (when it could threaten the mother’s life to have a child). People that believe this are suggesting that aborting in the case of harm to the mother is the same as self defense. Right there I somewhat disagree, simply because no doctor can say (in most cases) that a mother’s life will for sure be taken if she has the child.

There are many cases where a mother has the child even though there are risks, and everything turns out fine-that is the miracle of life. Sometimes people die during birth, sometimes they don’t. But doctors don’t always accurately predict the proper outcome. You also have to keep in mind that in the old days (bible times) there was no way of ever knowing the woman may die during birth. So again, I don’t necessarily agree with aborting on the premise that it “could” kill the mother. I think it technically “could” kill anyone, so does that mean everyone should abort since there is always at least a small risk that any mother could potentially die? No, of course not.

Self defense is someone trying to intentionally kill (murder) you. I don’t think a baby would have the intent to kill its mother. So it is kind of different in my opinion.

The second point I want to make is that my sister’s husband’s relative (a girl in her young 20′s) recently became pregnant, and she decided to abort. She traveled to another state to do this in secrecy, and tragically, she bled to death from the procedure and died from it, and her family found out (very tragically) that she died only because she had the abortion done. That is a true story, and it happens more often then people might think. So abortion can kill the mother just as easily as birth. That is a point so many people forget. So since abortion can kill the mother just as easily as having a child can kill, I don’t think it is appropriate to do so. Also, with the constant increases in technology in medicine, hopefully they will never be forced to make such a hard decision.

Is Abortion Okay if the Woman Was Raped?

No doubt, it is very difficult when a woman is raped. Many do not want to ever re-live that horrific event, and it is very traumatic to those that experience this type of sexual violence. Women do not always become pregnant in these situation. However, if a woman does become pregnant after a rape, should she still have an abortion?

I know that even though the situation in which the child was conceived was terrible, however, that child became alive at the moment the egg and sperm met. A soul was created at that very moment. The blueprints for life were locked in stone, and the human life existed at that very moment. There are many brave women that decide to carry the baby and have a normal birth. This is (of course) a very hard decision. But just because the baby was created in an act of hate or sin, it doesn’t mean that the child cannot be a loving and happy child. That child may turn out to be the next president of the United States. It could find the cure for cancer. It could invent something that would save lives. Or it may just be a good citizen. But it is worth keeping alive, and giving an equal chance at life. Even though it was a traumatic event, it could be a blessing in the end. That child may bring so much joy to the mother.

In cases where the mother just doesn’t feel right about the whole situation, and would prefer to abort the child, I would say to please consider giving the child up for adoption. Adoption is a far better alternative, and the world is filled with loving people that would love to be parents to a new child, regardless of how the child was conceived. If you feel that you cannot take care of the child, this is an option that may be best for you.

Is Abortion Okay in the Case of Incest?

Incest is the situation where close family members have sexual relations. This can be harmful because it greatly increases the likelihood that the child can have some form of genetic deformation or retardation. Even if the child is going to have problems, I do not think that warrants the grounds for an abortion. There are many children that have deformities and retardation that were conceived by 2 non-related parents, and in love. Yet they did not abort the child. So why abort a child just because it was conceived in a incestuous way? There is no reason to do this. Again, if the parents feel that they cannot raise the child, there are many parents and organizations that would gladly take the child and raise it in a loving environment.

Conclusion: Is Abortion Acceptable to God?

There are many cases where a child can be conceived in a way which is traumatic, sinful, or even harmful. Yet, God loves us all. God is the creator of life, and we should strive to protect life. Once a sperm meets an egg, a miracle happens. We should respect and welcome that miracle, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

For those that feel that they can not properly care for the child, or that it would be too difficult to raise a child after rape or incest, please consider carrying the child and then giving it up for adoption. There are plenty of agencies and parents that would be so happy to have the privilege of raising a child as their own.

Also, remember that abortion can be as deadly for the mother as it can for the child. Not only that, it can be just as traumatic as a rape, and some women have post traumatic stress and nightmares from the abortion event. So please remember these things if you ever consider having an abortion.

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I recently seen a great question about abortion. The person asked if abortion is a sin. They said it like this:

“A human starts as a single cell. If a cell has a soul, then I guess all bacteria have a soul as well, right? If it doesn’t have a soul, then what is wrong with abortion?”

Again, that was a good point and a great question. Abortion is a hotly debated topic, and people have very strong feelings about it. So let’s first start with the single cell organisms question. After all, do single-cell organisms, small insect, etc. have a soul? Let’s see:

Do Bacteria, Viruses, Single-Cell Organisms, or Insects Have a Soul?

First you have to understand something about single cell organisms. They don’t grow into humans. The difference between a human fertilized egg is that it develops into a human. A random single cell like an amoeba (spelling?) remains the same. Yet the single cell you mention rapidly divides and becomes a human. That is a big difference.

Does an insect, or simple bacteria have a soul? The answer is (most likely) NO. God created a lot of things in this world. Some were created to perform specific functions. All of the creatures (even bad ones) help perform some function to keep the life cycle going on Earth.

A single cell organism, while incredible complex, is also very basic in fuction compared to a human being. Why? Because God created these things (insects, creatures, bacteria, viruses, etc.) to carry out functions. But we humans are massively different. We are the only species in the world that can think, reason, design, create, feel emotions, etc. to the degree in which we can. Not even monkeys can even come close to us! We are completely unique and superior to all other creatures on this earth. This is because God designed us in His image. He took more effort designing us. He created us to be similar to him in many ways. He created us to have a relationship with him.

Think of it like this: If you were an architect, there would be a big difference between drawing a simple 1 dimensional stick house on paper (like you might see a pre-schooler draw), and creating the complete 3D plans for a skyscraper, right? The difference would be that you really have to put effort into the skyscraper. You have to put yourelf into the project, and work really hard and design it with extreme precision.

That is how God created us. The small cell organisms and insects, while still incredibly complex, were created with simple features to perform tasks to keep life going for us. A bee, while simply designed, has a major impact on our food production because they pollinate so many plants so they can produce food. A bee doesn’t likely have a “soul” simply because God created it for simple functions and to live, carry out a function, reproduce, and then die. They help sustain human life.

We are vastly different, however. We are designed in a superior way to every other animal, insect, or organism in this world. That is why Adam wasn’t happy when God brought all of the animals to him. He couldn’t find one that was like him. So God created Adam a wife (Eve) and created her FROM Adam.

So it is very likely that humans are the only creatures that have “souls.” Some argue that animals may also have souls. The bible doesn’t really mention whether or not animals have a place in God’s plan. We are told that in the new Earth, the lion will sit with the lamb in peace. But we don’t know if they have any purpose or not in terms of a soul.

Okay, But Does a Fertilized Human Egg or Embryo Have a Soul? Is Abortion Wrong or a Sin?

Now, does a fertilized human egg (also called an oocyte) have a soul? Yes. Is abortion or killing of that egg a sin according to the Bible? Yes. The bible indicates that we should protect and preserve life. It also indicates God knows us in the womb. Those are the main scriptures people that are against abortion use. Most other single cell organisms most likely do not have a soul, simply because they are like “machines” God has created to carry out functions in life. We were designed more complex, and more sophisticated because we were created in God’s image.

Also, inside of that tiny cell, contains all the information to make you who you will be! So Yes, in the confines of a tiny microscopic cell the soul could exist, since it has the complete code for what we will physically be. You literally started out as a speck.

Think of it like this: An architect works very hard to design a massive skyscraper building. He works and builds the plans for it. That whole entire building comes from a set of plans that could fit on a tiny hard drive or a briefcase. That is the whole essense of the building. If they plans aren’t there, then the building just won’t be able to be built properly.

So you could say the empire state building came from a few drawings on a computer chip or on paper. It existed on paper before ever in reality. Once an egg and sperm combine, the life started with a spark, and the plans were set in motion. In other words, you came alive because your design was set in stone!

Likewise, we all start from a basic code within a tiny cell. That tiny cell (once a sperm and egg combine) has all the information necessary to build a human being. It comes alive. It divides. It becomes human. It lives, it eats, it grows. It is living.

Just because a microscope can only see a round cell, doesn’t mean there isn’t more to it. People used to think atoms were the smallest unit, until they discovered electrons, protons, and neutrons. They used to think those were the smalled until the realized quarks exist, etc.

Just because we don’t fully know or understand it, doesn’t mean it isn’t a human yet.

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