Reflection on Abortion: A Christian Perspective

In light of proposals to defund Planned Parenthood because a small percentage of its operations are providing abortions, and in response to the renewed call for “heartbeat” and other anti-abortion legislation, I thought it might be useful to provide some theological and personal reflection on the issue.

We often hear in the media about The Christian Perspective on issues, as if there is only one. But there are many Christian viewpoints—even in my own Episcopal Church.

It is the official position of The Episcopal Church, by action of the Bishops, laity and clergy gathered in General Convention, that women should have the legal right to choose whether to continue or end pregnancy.

We must recognize and honor the moral agency of women. There is a long history of sexism that stands behind the “choice” debate that men and paternalistic government get to choose for women. If government can force a woman to carry a pregnancy to term, then government could also force a woman to abort (as has been the case in China). Perhaps it is time to get government out of the equation altogether.

The Church recognizes the grave nature of such a choice and encourages women considering abortion to carefully consider their options, to consult with their clergy, and to pray for wisdom in their choosing.

In the best of all possible worlds, the willful termination of a pregnancy might be wrong on many levels. However, not only do we not live in such a place, but the world of any woman seriously considering the issue is far removed from perfection. She is often not choosing between right and wrong, good and evil, but may well be confronting many shades of gray.

Although abortion may be fraught with moral danger, the other choices may be just as bad. Bringing an unwanted infant into the world; birthing a child without physical or emotional resources to provide for its well being; having a baby with known or probable defects—these are just a few examples. Choosing to abort a fetus may be a moral wrong. But too often the issue is not balanced with the corollary that choosing to not abort is always a moral good.

The very real list of options from which a woman must select is narrow, and each option may be fraught with difficulty. Therefore, I strongly agree with the church’s teaching where the woman can have good medical, psychological and spiritual information and care in order to make her own choice.

My religious perspective is a thoroughly Anglican hesitancy to be too certain about anything. God is other; and neither God nor her will can be fully grasped by the human mind. (“Now we see through a glass dimly.”) Language is metaphorical and symbolic. Motives behind our behavior and our choices are often mixed. Therefore, any sources of authority to which we might turn for guidance are often themselves unclear or questionable. Scripture, tradition and reason must all be brought to bear to inform the conscience. And then the individual must make her choices with ”fear and trembling”; always in the belief and confidence that righteousness is an unearned gift.

The other perspective I bring to the question is that of a foster and adoptive parent. For over 30 years my wife and I fostered nearly 80 children, mostly infants. We adopted six. Although we dearly love each one, the majority of our children have had serious problems as the result of poor pre-natal care, alcohol and drug effects, neglect, and/or overt abuse. Neither the foster care nor adoption systems can ameliorate the needs of many of these children. The education, childcare, medical and social welfare systems that should provide and care for them are often not capable of doing so.

In many states, one of the few areas of government that consistently grows is the criminal “injustice” and prison system. So while our society struggles with pre-birth abortions, we seem to have little problem with what some have called post-birth abortions. We work hard to see that children are born, and then we abandon them by refusing to pay for quality healthcare, education and so forth. And in some of those same states, the number of third or fourth graders failing to read is used to project the number of additional prison cells that will be needed within the next decade.

Finally, we need to consider stewardship of the environment. Overpopulation is one of the main engines driving the various ways that we are destroying the planet. If we are to be responsible stewards, then (at the very least) we must pay much closer attention to birth control issues around the globe. Although I do not advocate abortion as a form of birth control, many who argue against abortion also oppose birth control in any form. We must recognize that every child born into this life places an additional burden on the earth’s resources. From this perspective, then, advocating and/or legislating against birth control places the earth and the lives of future generations in jeopardy. It at least raises the question about what is the true pro-life position on these matters.

For a Jewish perspective on abortion visit this website: http://www.bethabrahamdayton.org/words

–The Rev. John Paddock