ABORTION: TANTAMOUNT TO MURDER
This is a rough and boisterous terrain, a tough, volatile, controversial and most contentious social, moral and religious subject that borders on life and death as well as divergent global views of pro-abortion and anti-abortion advocates. It is as touchy as the issue of homosexuality. So many people including Christians are confused about this subject. Surprisingly, lots of Christians are pro-abortionists. My views on this highly contentious subject are not based on fanatical convictions whatsoever. They are strictly rooted on the principles of the word of the Most High God.What is abortion? It is the wanton termination of the pregnancy of a young girl or a woman. It is the cruel murder of defenseless unborn children, still undergoing gradual developmental growth. It is capable of causing profound emotional trauma or distress because it is a crude way of taking human life. Most Pro-abortionists insist erroneously and perhaps unwittingly that a baby in the womb is not a human being until such baby is born. Some say pregnancies up to twenty weeks are mere blood clots and tissues. That isn’t right. How or where does human life emanate from? There are certain facts of life that science would never be able to ascertain or explain because they are supernatural. God is the author of all human life. When He formed Adam from the dust of the earth, Adam only became a living soul when God breathed into him the breath of life. Have you ever seen a corpse? Perhaps yes, at least if not physically, you may have seen victims of suicide bombings and those of other terrorist attacks, and the like, on CNN, BBC and other news network channels on a regular basis. A corpse is the lifeless body of a human being. The human body has no life when the spirit of man isn’t present in a body. Every human being is a tripartite (three-in-one) personality – body, soul and spirit. The spirit and soul of every individual are not physical or tangible, except the body, the earthly vessel with which a man’s spirit and soul can operate on Earth. When astronauts go to the moon, they wear space suits because of the atmosphere over there. Likewise, when the spirit of man (generically speaking) comes to planet Earth, it must put on a human body suit which begins to develop after fertilization of a male sperm and female ova, to the zygote stage (the fertilized ovum) to the embryonic stage and then to the fetus phase before birth. God is the giver of life and He alone reserves the right to take it back. Both the unborn child and the newborn are all precious in the eyes of God. Life is a gift from God and this gift emanates at the conception stage of pregnancy. Human life is most sacred, indubitably and inestimably valuable. Humanity must respect the sanctity of human life which is a process from conception to the time of natural death. The only difference between an unborn child and the newborn is location and level of development. One is still attached to the female uterus while the other is separated from the womb. A great percentage of abortions are conducted within the first five to eight weeks of conception. Some medical doctors are known to even perform abortions on Sundays while folks are in Church worshipping. It is incongruous that the medical profession which promotes the principle of the preservation of human life inadvertently destroys same through abortions when some medical doctors and nurses unethically kill unborn babies. They deny the unborn child the right to live because they lack respect for the sanctity of life.
Biblically, human life starts at conception. Someone once said that abortion is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. Well, masturbation, the use of narcotics, smoking of cigarettes and the like, are not mentioned either in the Bible but they are ungodly and detrimental to human life. (Details in my upcoming book publication – “From Darkness to Light”).The fact that a particular word or phrase is not used or mentioned in the Bible doesn’t make the practice legitimate or righteous. Christians are the light of this world. A light cannot be lit and put under a stack. Christians must strive to set very high and uncompromising moral, ethical and godly standards for the world to emulate. Let’s take a look at three Scripture passages to buttress the fact that life begins at conception, i.e. the fertilization of the male sperm and the female ova.
ONE
>> In Exo. 20:13, the word of God commands in the Ten Commandments given to Moses about 3200 years ago:
“Thou shalt not kill”
- (KJV)
TWO
>> Ps. 139:13-16 states:
“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body…”
Awesome and very instructive. From the above Scripture, it is evident that God is personally involved in the creation of every human life right from the time of conception. God creates every life with a purpose. When a life is abruptly terminated, it is practically the same as aborting God’s purpose for such life. God considers the killing of an unborn child an act of murder. Let’s see the third Scripture.
THREE
>> Jer. 1:5,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
‘You’, a personal pronoun as seen above, is used to represent a person. This clearly proves that before an individual is formed in the womb, he or she already existed or had life. Why do countless people commit cold-blooded murder through abortion on daily basis? Millions of pregnancies are terminated annually all around the world. Let me tell you why:
1. For many, abortion is a simple way of flushing out the consequences of their sexual liberty and/or immorality. They want sex without responsibility;
2. For some, it is an easy means to get rid of abominable pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, and the like;
3. It is a way through which many people avoid financial pressures or obligations that may arise from caring and nurturing a newborn child;
4. For others, it is a way of saving the lives of women whose lives are jeopardized and are at risk due to critical situations like etopic pregnancies;
5. Pro-abortionists claim that the idea of life at conception is strictly a religious theory which cannot be scientifically substantiated and this encourages them to abort pregnancies;
6. For many others, abortion is a way to avoid giving birth to deformed or handicapped babies ascertained through scan;
7. Some ladies opt for abortion as a result of separation, abandonment or rejection of their pregnancies by the men responsible.
There are ten facts about abortion I want you to note and remember always. They are:
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There are two types of abortion – induced abortion and miscarriages. Induced abortion is the deliberate emptying of the uterus through the application of powerful drugs or the insertion of medical instruments into the uterus to crush and/or remove the fetus. This can sometimes lead to lacerations and complications. A very common but risky method of abortion is the dilation and curettage system generally referred to as D & C in common parlance. Abortion is the termination of pregnancy during the embryonic or fetus stages. It is a normal medical procedure regularly performed globally. It is estimated that no less than 50 million abortions are performed round the globe, every year, many of which are rift with dire complications that sometimes end up in deaths. There are safe forms of birth control measures which do not have to result in the termination of the fetus, e.g. the use of condoms and safe contraceptives. Contraception is only used to prevent conception as a form of birth control. Many birth control pills kill the unborn fetus and this is regrettable
On the other hand, some miscarriages are natural termination of pregnancies. They are also referred to as spontaneous abortions due to accidental or natural causes. This occurs in early pregnancies usually before the fifth month. Miscarriages are self-abortion of the fetus and this is not criminal as they are not deliberate termination of fetuses.
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Life itself is supernatural. Conception is an extraordinary act designed and ordained by God. Consequently, one can only understand issues of life and conception through the eyes of God Himself, by way of His word – the holy Bible.
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If 20 weeks pre-maturely delivered child is fully human, then why wouldn’t a 20 weeks aborted fetus be considered as murder? Medical researches have proven that the fetus is a living organism right from conception. All human life is sacred.
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It is true that psychologically, it is easier for people who have or who perform abortions to do so, thereby killing the fetus that possess human life, due to ignorance or deception that the fetus has no life. The fetus is one of the foundation stages of human existence, which develops gradually until a baby is born. The fetus is endowed with life from God. Life is spiritual. Human life is intangible and does not grow like the human body. A day-old child does not have less right to life than a 40 years old person. Likewise, an unborn child does not have less right to life than a one-year-old child. A zygote (the result of the first stage of conception) has the same rights to life as a nine-month-old fetus. The zygote, embryo and fetus are biologically and spiritually alive. Every soul under goes various developmental stages in life: from the zygote to the embryo, to the fetus and then the newborn, the infant, the adolescent, the adult, and the elderly. Irrespective of all these phases, life is no respecter of human physical development. God bequeaths life to every individual right from the stage of fertilization of the male sperm containing 23 chromosomes as well as the female oocyte or eggs, also containing 23 chromosomes. Life brings about growth. If there is no life in the fetus, there will be no development of the fetus.
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Fertilization of the male sperm and the female eggs occur within 24 hours after the release of 46 chromosomes which may likely lead to conception. The first pulse of the heart beat of an embryo can be detected through the use of ultra sound scanning facilities, within the first month of pregnancy from the day of the last menstrual period. The zygote, which has a unique genetic form, is implanted into a female uterus within seven days after fertilization. Then the embryo is formed after the first four weeks. The second month of pregnancy is the embryonic period when vital development of the fetus takes place. No fetus will develop if it is not endowed with human life.
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The alarming rate of sex perversion world wide encourages sex outside the confines of marriage and this leads to a lot of unexpected, unplanned for and unwanted pregnancies. The easy way out for many is abortion. This is very common all over the world including the Church where the level of fornication and secret sexual sin has skyrocketed. The escape route for many who find themselves in such unfavorable situation is to commit clandestine termination of their babies so as to hide the result of their sexual sins. They murder innocent defenseless children. All of mankind is answerable to God. Forget the façade and politics being played even in Churches. Someday, everyone will stand before God’s judgment seat to give account of his/her live and stewardship.
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In 1973, abortion was legalized in the United States of America. The brutal act of killing defenseless children who are destined to come into the world to fulfill their God-given purposes was made legitimate. It is inconceivable! How can the murder of unborn Children be endorsed while the killing of any American is considered criminal? The fact that abortion was legalized doesn’t make it right. It is homicide. The unborn fetus has the same life every other American has. Why the discrimination? What wrong has defenseless unborn children done to the American justice system? Is it because of their location that they are discriminated against? Every human being on earth once passed through that route. Every unborn child reserves the right to live. Medical Doctors are making a fortune through abortion which is undoubtedly the callous slaughter of unborn children. Perhaps it may have been better if all those in support of the heinous massacre of innocent unborn children had been aborted when their mothers conceived them. At least they would not have been around to promote injustice and the unjustifiable butcher of unborn babies. The blood of these children wail against these cruel baby terminators.
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Some claim that it is better to terminate a pregnancy than to give birth to children with disabilities. The word of God states that children are a heritage of God. Many parents terminate their pregnancies because they are unwilling to suffer the inconveniences and financial burdens of caring for handicapped children. Disabilities of children are no justification to commit murder thereby becoming an enemy of God. It is always better to obey God than to be sentimental about issues of life. There are lots of issues that seem unfair. What would you say about a lady who looses her husband and her entire four children in a car crash at an instance? Would you advice her to commit suicide over the loss of her entire family she so dearly and passionately loved? Suicide or homicide will qualify one for hell fire. “Thou shall not kill”. If anyone gives birth to a child or to children who are disabled and thus cannot love them enough to support them and help them through life, then it is advisable to give such children up for adoption. God loves them profoundly and He will send help to them. He will turn their disabilities to abilities. I once saw a man who has no hands at all. However, there are several things that he can do which many people who have two hands are unable to accomplish. He can drink from a cup and eat from a serving dish with the expert use of his toes and legs. He can write with his toes as well. Today, he is married and is traveling with his wife from nation to nation encouraging people with disabilities. No one has a right to terminate a life. Now, listen to this tear-jerking true story: A Pastor and his wife had trusted God for a baby. The wife conceived and was delivered of a baby boy in Australia sometime in the year 1982. But alas, their joy was eventually shattered when they realized that their new born baby had birth defects as he was born without limbs (no hands, no legs). This was a strange and traumatic experience for the Christian couple who truly loved God and wondered why such an unfortunate misfortune should befall them. Even Medical Doctors were bewailed and had no explanation for this abnormality. But today, that baby boy is now a young man, still without limbs. Handsome and intelligent, he fervently loves God and believes that God has a specific purpose for his life. He has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister who were born with no deficiency whatsoever. Some people who find themselves in such dire situation may have committed suicide due to the embarrassment, frustration and depression they may be subjected to. Also, some pregnant women swiftly opt to abort such pregnancies if they detect and confirm such a defect on time while pregnant. Thank God his parents never committed murder by aborting him. In spite of this strange disability, this young man is undeterred by his condition and is determined never to give up. He is an astute motivational speaker and an intending best selling author. Disability can be turned to ability for with God all things are possible. Physically challenged people are lawful citizens of any country and they deserve respect as well as the best of life.
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How do we address the question of what to do with pregnancies arising from sexual felony such as rape, incest, and the likes of them? It is quite simple: obey the word of God in all situations no matter how tough it may be. The Bible is a complete blue print with solutions for all problems of life. Always seek God’s counsel and guide. The word of God does not waiver. Life is no bed of roses. God has given everyone liberty to choose good or evil, life or death. Human beings will always rationalize things with their senses, even the supernatural. We must condemn and denounce the scourge of eliminating the pre-born child. There are repercussions for acts of disobedience to God’s command. Incest is evil, shameful and most horrible to put it mildly. Howbeit, a victim of incest or rape must not be ashamed to promptly seek medical attention and counseling. Certain forms of post coital contraceptives and therapy that can prevent conception from taking place after an incestuous sexual encounter or rape assault can be speedily administered by proficient medical practitioners to sexual assault victims. This could help prevent fertilization from taking place as well as curb sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea. This is very essential. May I ask pro-abortionist this question? What if in the course of attempting to abort a pregnancy, a Medical Doctor strongly advises against it, insisting the pregnant lady may likely loose her life or her womb in the event that she attempts to terminate her pregnancy? Will the abortion still hold? Is the lady in question not likely to change her mind for fear of loosing her life or her womb? Wouldn’t such a lady rather opt to preserve such pregnancy in spite of the circumstances surrounding it so as to preserve her life and/or her womb? There are many of such cases whereby pregnant women have been advised against aborting their pregnancies. Such children when they are born could be put up for adoption if the parents are unable to cope with the stigma, the grave negative, psychological and emotional impact which the circumstances clouding the pregnancy would give. There are people on the face of the earth today who are products of incestuous or rape pregnancies. God can change their roots as He doesn’t love them less.
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There has been and there will continue to be cases where pregnancies may threaten the lives of pregnant ladies, most unfortunately. In such cases, the only realistic option would be to terminate the pregnancy so as to save the lives of such endangered women. An example of such pregnancies is the etopic pregnancy, which occurs in the fallopian tube. Since the tube can never support the weight of pregnancy, it eventually ruptures and this usually leads to a lot of bleeding. Uncontrolled bleeding leads to death. In these times of medical development, etopic pregnancies can be detected through scanning. The reality is that pregnant women have the same right to live as much as fetuses. There are instances when the fetus dies in the uterus. This endangers the lives of such pregnant women which should be preserved by every means possible. The process of saving these pregnant women could result in the death of the unborn child. In such a case, it is regrettable that the fetus or unborn child dies, howbeit not deliberately. When a serial killer is about to murder an innocent soul, such a victim reserves the right to self-defense even if in so doing it results in the death of the killer. Self-defense is not against any moral or legal law. This analogy however does not liken the fetus to a serial killer but illustrates the seeming danger that some pregnant women find themselves. When Medical Doctors strive tenaciously to preserve the life of a pregnant woman but in the process it leads to the unfortunate death of the fetus, it cannot be considered as an act of murder as it is not a deliberate act to terminate the life of the unborn child.
In sum, choosing to terminate a much-desired pregnancy could be a harrowing and traumatic experience for any expectant couple. In cases of miscarriages (the natural death of an embryo), an embryo can only die because it has life. The absence of life is death. Miscarriages occur more within the first ninety days of conception. They are caused by a number of known and unknown factors which include infections, hormonal disorder or various other forms of abnormalities of the chromosome or pelvic organs.
Abortion hurts women. It is horrific. Countless women have died through it. It causes depression and lots of teenage girls are its victim. The pregnancy of an eleven year old child was once aborted in the US. This is absolutely criminal. Teenagers should save sex for marriage. Purity and abstinence are godly virtues that profit.
Abortion for many others is a quick way to erase problems caused by their sexual exploits and also to avoid financial liabilities. Whatever the reason may be, except in cases of striving to preserve the lives of pregnant women, termination of a pregnancy is equal to murder. It is akin to terrorism. It is abnormal for anyone to seek to kill a pre-born defenseless child. It is not only hazardous, it is spiritually criminal and should also be legally outlawed as well. There are six things that God hates and one of them is “hands that shed innocent blood” – Prov. 6:17. Abortion is the shedding of innocent blood. The blood of millions of unborn children are crying against all those who terminated their lives abruptly and prematurely, thereby denying them God’s given opportunity to come into the world to fulfill His purpose for their lives. If you have once killed a child or children through abortion, now is the time to repent. Crave for God’s mercy and abort every fetus of sin in your life. Then join the battle train against the killing of innocent defenseless unborn children through abortion. A day should be set aside as an International day to commemorate the fight against the inhumane killing of unborn babies. All human life is sacrosanct.
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“FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT” – 2007.
Ejiro Okene