Internet Issue: Abortion
Pro-Life
PristsforLife.org
http://www.priestsforlife.org/articles/4376-the-bibles-teaching-against-abortion
In this online post, Father Frank Pavone explains how the Bible explains that abortion is wrong. Pavone is an American Roman-Catholic priest who serves as the national director of the organization “Priests for Life” and has made a name for himself by adamantly opposing abortion. Within his argument, he cites several different passages from the bible that he believes backs his stance on abortion. I will discuss a few of his major points below.
Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-25 “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” Pavone believes that since humans are created in God’s image he cherishes our lives more than other living things. Further, he believes that because humans are created in in God’s image human life is more sacred than we can even imagine and not something that should willingly be “disposed” of.
Psalm 127:3 “Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Pavone believes that since God allows us to reproduce that it is sinful to interrupt this process.
“You have been my guide since I was first formed . . . from my mother’s womb you are my God” (Psalm 22:10-11). Pavone believes that God recognizes fetuses still within their Mother’s wombs as humans.
Pro-choice
Beliefnet.com
http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2003/01/The-Biblical-Basis-Forbeing-Pro-Choice.aspx
In this online post, Marjorie Brahms Signer explains why abortion is not opposed in the bible. Singer is the communications and policy director of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and is widely published author of pro-choice literature. Unfortunately, I was not able to find out what religious denomination Signer is, but the aforementioned organization she is a part of consists of more than 40 different religious denominations. Signer does not use as many explicit quotes from the bible as Pavone, but still does reference some biblical passages in her argument defending pro-choice. In fact, one of Signer’s arguments was that the Bible does not even mention abortion.
Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-25 “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” In opposition to Pavone’s interpretation, Signer believes that because humans were created in God image, we are able to act in a morale manner. In addition, Pavone believes that since God has given humans free will we are able to treat our bodies in the way that will be most beneficial.
“God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Signer references this quote to further her point out how the bible does not explicitly mention how people are to properly reproduce and if there any stipulations regarding this process.
“When men fight, and one of them pushes a pregnant woman and a miscarriage results, but no other damage ensues, the one responsible shall be fined according as the woman’s husband may extract from him, the payment based on reckoning” (Exodus 21:22-23). Signer uses this biblical passage to discuss the inequality that exists between fetuses and people.