Written by Dr. Mary Theresa (Terry) Webb, West Lampeter. This article was first published on November 1, 2020 on the Lancaster SPEAKS Up Blog.
Many voters have a single mindset when it comes to the issue of abortion. As a Christian, I oppose abortion. During my first pregnancy, I contracted measles from 4th grade students I was teaching. My physician suggested an abortion. I said no and still do say no. However, my experience as a pastoral counselor has shown me that in certain situations – abuse, poverty, rape, or incest – God will forgive a woman who aborts.
Nothing is explicitly mentioned about abortion in the Bible. Neither did Jesus raise the issue. But Church leaders throughout 2000 years of Christian history have had much to say. The Didache, one of the early Church’s policies on social issues in response to routine abortions performed in Greco-Roman culture decreed, “You shall not murder a child by abortion or kill that which is born.” Just when during a pregnancy does a fetus become a child? Both Bishop Augustine and Thomas Aquinas believed that a fetus became a human being after God breathed into a fetus, called quickening, 40 days after conception for males and 90 days for females. But since 2010, both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church have decreed that human life begins at conception. Protestant, Anabaptist, and evangelical churches have differing opinions.
More is at stake in this 2020 Election for voting Christians than positions on abortion. Leadership qualities, for one, are vitally important, as are integrity, character, and democratic values. Before you vote, carefully weigh these qualities when you choose our next president.
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