Whose Choice Is It Anyway

Photo credit: Thelma Frimpong

One in three women in the UK will have an abortion by the time they are 45. https://mariestopes.org.uk

1 in 3 women has an abortion, and 95% don’t regret it. https://independent.co.uk

In 1967, abortion was legalised in England, Scotland and Wales. This meant that women, could terminate any unwanted pregnancies up to 24 weeks (6 months). Despite the grounds on which you can have an abortion, these days women seem to have various other reasons, from having a one night stand to sexual abuse. Some women even have to terminate their pregnancy against their will.

Abortion is available in Ireland, however, the law is that the procedure can only be done if the mother’s life is at a high risk, including suicide. Before the referendum, women living in Ireland would have to go to England or in other cases, they would illegally buy pills online to terminate their pregnancy.

In April, the citizens assembly, set up a series of votes to consider the issue, recommending that abortion should be available up to 12 weeks after conception "with no restriction as to reason”. The vote for change was a shocking

52 to 29.

Source: Google images

The Irish electorate voted by 1,429,981 votes to 723,632 in favour of abolishing the controversial eighth amendment to the constitution.

The Government now intends to allow terminations within the first 12 weeks in the event. On Friday, May 25, Ireland held a referendum on whether to repeal its ban on abortion in almost all circumstances. thesun.co.uk

The question is, where do we as Christians stand on this matter? Do we agree or disagree?

I for one, do not agree with abortion. Life is sacred. Life is a gift from God. No matter the circumstances to how one fell pregnant, God can always turn a bad situation into something great - for His glory. God has a plan for everything. Some women terminate a pregnancy because they have been informed that their unborn child is going to be severely disabled, born with a rare disease, or will have missing limbs. But did you know that God can still use that child in many ways? Ralph Braun, Stevie Wonder and Nick Vujicic - are just a few names that come to mind.

“Advocating for abortion for unborn children with various diseases and disabilities in an effort to ‘spare them a life of suffering’ among other things suggests that one must be perfect in mind and body in order to have a fulfilling life.” - Chelsea Zimmerman

“Abortion eliminates the potential that is found within every life.” - Jim Daly

In the Bible, we can find many scripture verses that show and support that God is the author of life and creator of everything. “Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…” Psalms 100 vs 3 NKJV.

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in the mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11 vs 5 NIV.

I would like to encourage you to join me in prayer for those who have already had an abortion, that their decision will not have an effect on their emotional and physical well-being. Let us pray also pray that they will not have to go through this situation again. And for those who maybe considering an abortion, that God will send the right people their way to convince them otherwise.

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works and that my soul knows well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” Psalm 139 vs 13-17 NKJV.