Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Christianity (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=421)
-   -   Abortion - clear ban in bible (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=161196)

  • Dec 10, 2007, 08:25 AM
    cassini
    Abortion - clear ban in bible
    I have seen a clear ban against abortion in hindu epic Mahabharatha- is any clear ban in christianity- The Hindu : God will not tolerate flouting of moral law
  • Dec 10, 2007, 08:57 AM
    charlotte234s
    There's no "clear" ban I believe, perhaps a clouded one, it's not something that is considered "good" though.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 02:26 PM
    RickJ
    Exodus 21:22-23
    If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life.

    And beyond scripture, the early Christian leaders spoke clearly on abortion:

    Barnabas
    Thou shalt not slay the child by procuring abortion; nor, again, shalt thou destroy it after it is born.

    Athenagoras
    And when we say that those women who use drugs to bring on abortion commit murder, and will have to give an account to God s for the abortion, on what principle should we commit murder? For it does not belong to the same person to regard the very foetus in the womb as a created being, and therefore an object of God's care, and when it has passed into life, to kill it; and not to expose an infant, because those who expose them are chargeable with child-murder, and on the other hand, when it has been reared to destroy it.

    Clement of Alexandria
    But what cause is there for the exposure of a child? For the man who did not desire to beget children had no right to marry at first; certainly not to have become, through licentious indulgence, the murderer of his children. Again, the humane law forbids slaying the offspring and the dam together on the same day.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 03:15 PM
    inthebox
    6th commandment
  • Dec 10, 2007, 03:56 PM
    charlotte234s
    6th commandment says do not kill, but if we take it explicitly as it is, we can't pull weeds, eat burgers, or any of that. Like I said, it's not CLEAR.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 03:57 PM
    J_9
    Another can of worms opened.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 03:58 PM
    charlotte234s
    Yep, exactly, J-9.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 04:10 PM
    shygrneyzs
    Thou shalt not murder - since when is pulling weeds murder? Or eating a hamburger? In Genesis 1:5 you can read where God created the living creatures, including livestock. In Genesis 1:6 you can read where God gave man the dominion over the livestock. You show me where, either in the Old or New Testament, where eating beef is against the Law of God.

    You are right, J, another can of worms.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 04:11 PM
    J_9
    What about medical conditions that put the mother at risk for death? What about medical conditions wherein the child will not survive the entire pregnancy?

    Like I said, another can of worms. People look at it from the standpoint of birth control, not from a medically necessary standpoint.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 04:12 PM
    charlotte234s
    Well if yuotake it literally, do not kill is do not kill. Dominion doesn't mean right to kill, that's all I'm saying.

    Either way it's NOT clear.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 04:14 PM
    labman
    I often let these cans of worms go since it is unlikely anybody will change their mind no matter what. Still there was a time when I was unsure on abortion. I think there are some very strong arguments for pro choice. Then I saw it for what it is, bumping somebody off because you find them inconvenient. The Sixth Commandment might be better translated ''No murder''.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 09:07 PM
    shygrneyzs
    Charlotte, Genesis, Chapter 1, verses 29 and 30 - God told Adam and Eve that He gave them every seed bearing plant, of every tree that bore fruit, the beasts of the earth, the birds in the air, and creatures that move on the ground - "everything that has breath of life in it" - He gave to them for food.

    Last thing I will say on this, I care not to get into a word war on this post.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 11:36 PM
    JoeCanada76
    For God knows you even BEFORE you were created in the womb. Every baby has a purpose in life. There is the debate of when life begins but the Christian bible clearly states the stand on life and murder. Also clearly states that Each of us are known to God before we were even created.

    Charlotte there is an obvious ban. How can not you not say it is clear when it is actually there black and white.
  • Dec 10, 2007, 11:44 PM
    charlotte234s
    That doesn't seem clear to me, it means you have a soul before birth, in my opinion.
  • Dec 11, 2007, 12:54 PM
    JoeCanada76
    If God knows you before you were even created. What does that say to you? Do not commit murder. What does that say to you? It is so clear. Crystal clear.
  • Dec 11, 2007, 01:54 PM
    De Maria
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cassini
    i have seen a clear ban against abortion in hindu epic Mahabharatha- is any clear ban in christianity- The Hindu : God will not tolerate flouting of moral law

    Yes, the Catholic Church has always taught that abortion is a mortal sin:

    2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:

    You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.

    God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.

    CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2271

    Sincerely,

    De Maria
  • Dec 11, 2007, 05:07 PM
    Fr_Chuck
    Yes, the bible is clear that you should not murder but those that wish to live and do their own life styles and beleifs live to twist words and make it sound they way they wish to live.

    So yes the bible is completely clear about it, the only problem is those listening don't want to hear.
  • Dec 11, 2007, 09:29 PM
    charlotte234s
    That means to me that you have a soul before birth. It's open for interpretation, not clear.

    I'm not saying it's some fantastic thing, and I know the bible doesn't not condone it and even condemns it, but I don't see a crystal clear ban.

    Besides, if a woman is raped she HAS to keep the baby, God says? She must have an incest baby, possibly mentally retarded or even deformed? God would want that? I don't think so.

    God is a loving and tolerant father, not some overlord who bosses us around. He gave is free will for a reason.
  • Dec 12, 2007, 03:27 AM
    JoeCanada76
    You can try to justify it anyway you like charlotte, the fact is that every baby is a gift from God, even those babies who have certain challenges to face.
  • Dec 12, 2007, 07:50 AM
    Fr_Chuck
    Yes every baby is a gift, One of the worlds greatest composers was deaf and by many standards today aborted, many orphans and unwanted children grow up to do extra ordianary things.

    And the rape is not the women's fault, but also not the babies fault, even the rapist does not get a death sentence, so why should the baby

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:12 AM.