Question 86 – Why are you against abortion?
In recent years, Christians have become increasingly known for their opposition to the termination of pregnancies—commonly referred to as abortion. This is a multifaceted issue that can be explored on various levels; however, I will focus solely on general conclusions here. It should be noted that neither supporters nor opponents of abortion are always unified in their views. Some advocates support absolute freedom for a mother to terminate a pregnancy, while others agree only in certain circumstances (such as cases of rape, incest, or health risks). The fundamental argument for the practice of abortion hinges on the belief that a fetus is not a complete human being. Concurrently, there exists a strong sentiment that women possess absolute autonomy over their bodies and can make decisions regarding them freely. It is also worth mentioning that from an evolutionary perspective, doctors have frequently reassured pregnant women by saying, "We're only removing a fish from you... there's no need for guilt." And perhaps this is unsurprising—in a society devoid of absolute values, where life is perceived as nothing more than a blind scream of the universe and chance, a deeper understanding of life's essence is unlikely. However, if there exists a giver of life, the whole matter takes on a drastically different perspective. It is for this reason that those who uphold deeper values and recognize the sacredness of life strive against this trend, which bears an undertone of genocide.
Human Willfulness
For the sake of objectivity, it must also be mentioned that abortion opponents are not always united. Living in a twisted and degenerate world, even the question of life's origin generates many dilemmas and truly difficult-to-solve issues. There are opinions that reject abortions under all circumstances. Alongside these are voices that concede the possibility of terminating a pregnancy, but only in extreme cases, such as significant dangers to the mother's life or clearly severe fetal disabilities incompatible with survival outside the womb. Proponents of abortion often cite such extreme cases to legalize and justify their behavior—as if the question of abortion were solely confined to such non-standard situations. However, addressing them is often pointless—most abortions occur due to human whim and for the purpose of disposing of a "problem." Frequently, it involves concealing infidelity, consequences of premature and indiscriminate sexual lifestyles, prioritizing personal convenience, and so on. Here, the situation is unequivocal—abortion is an intentional form of murder. Take a look at footage of abortions, and you will see how the tiny body is torn apart, a hand here, a foot there—simply put, a gruesome butchery. Anyone uncertain about the validity of abortion can watch a documentary or view photographs depicting the abortion process, and clarity will soon follow—not to mention that the abortion industry is driven by commercial interests as well, as it represents an immense business for clinics and other entities.
Why then do Christians not endorse abortions? Simply put, it constitutes a violation of one of the most fundamental commandments—thou shalt not murder! No individual has the right to terminate another person's life. This is not even justifiable under the misguided egoistic notion that women own their bodies and have the right to manage them accordingly. While women do indeed have rights, the moment a new life is conceived, those rights become restricted—a new life emerges, possessing its own right—the right to life. From a divine perspective, abortion is an abomination, and God holds each person who partakes in it accountable. For women, this may manifest as the well-known post-abortion syndrome, [18] which can result in depression, addiction (to drugs, alcohol, etc.), nightmares, anxiety, hallucinations, and more. In other words, they reap the consequences of exercising their "right to choose." God does not leave murderers unpunished. This is why Christians (and not only they!) cannot, in general terms, agree with abortion.
Therefore, abortion is not the solution. There are countless testimonies from women who, despite horrific circumstances such as rape (no matter how difficult it was), carried their babies to term and later felt gratitude for their decision. On the other hand, I have personally heard dozens of accounts from individuals whom doctors urged to abort, citing severe defects or mental disabilities. They were viewed as irresponsible fools, yet they stood firm—they would not kill their child. What happened in many cases? Perfectly healthy babies were born. Even when the circumstances of conception might be dramatic (e.g., through rape), the option always exists to carry the child to term and give it up for adoption. Millions of people walk this Earth with various disabilities (such as Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs but remains happy and actively inspires millions), yet they often surpass many able-bodied individuals in the quality of their lives.
Statistics are merciless—it is very likely that many women who have had an abortion are reading these lines. Perhaps you are experiencing firsthand the tormenting consequences of your actions. But know that God's grace and forgiveness are also extended to you. Confess your transgression to Him, ask for forgiveness, make Him the Lord of your life, and you will receive grace, reconciliation, and peace for your days...
Summation
In some cases, the issue of abortion is a particularly sensitive matter. However, when we set aside the highly contentious situations—which advocates of abortion frequently highlight—we find that the overwhelming majority of abortions occur as a rebellion against God, His established order, and the disregard for His commands regarding sexual purity. Christians therefore reject abortion not "only" because it equates to murder; they oppose it also because the circumstances surrounding the inception of pregnancy and the motivating factors for ending it are, in the vast majority of cases, irreconcilable with God's principles of love, self-sacrifice, and faithfulness.