Abortion is not an election issue

THE EDITOR: “I could never vote for anyone who favours the destruction of innocent life in the womb,” Derrick stated. Bluntly, Larry replied, “I am opposed to abortion as much as you are Derrick but there are other issues you know.”

Sincere and well meaning Christians who oppose abortion too often speak of it as if it were on par with tax cuts, National Insurance and equal rights. There are many Larrys out there. Maybe you know a Larry. You want to be fair-minded and you do not want to be labelled a “one issue” voter. If you really think about it, abortion is more than an “election issue.” God, the Lord Jesus Christ, speaks to some of the politics issues of our day, but in a way that gives the Christian plenty of “wiggle” room. For example, God speaks about taxes. He tells us to give to Caesar what is his. However, he does not talk about tax structure or the Board of Inland Revenue. Therefore, Christians may debate on how much they think “Caesar” should be taking or about how he should be taking it. God speaks about salvation but not about how to save the National Insurance System. Therefore, Christians may debate about the pros and cons of privatisation or land acquisition.

God speaks about caring for the elderly but not about Medicare. Therefore, Christians may debate about the best way to help the elderly pay for prescription. God speaks differently, however, about destroying innocent human life and there is no “wiggle” room. He says, “You shall not murder.” We must not forget what abortion is. All the rhetoric surrounding abortion has deceptively blinded us to the truth. We hear it described as a “right,” a “choice” or a “medical procedure.” It becomes too easy even for the Christian to see abortion as just another one of those “election issues.” Think about it. What is a candidate who supports abortion rights really supporting. Abortion is not on par with a woman’s right to have her innocent child murdered. Abortion is a grave sin. Abortion assaults God’s word of truth about the sanctity of human life and therefore, assaults the WORD himself WHO became flesh that we may have life. Abortion is a sin against God, who is the Author and Redeemer of life. Abortion is not just an election issue, but because abortion destroys human life, it is a “spiritual issue.”

Not only does abortion kill a child, it forever wounds a woman. Although she may at first feel a sense of relief that her “problem” has been solved, eventually the reality of this unnatural choice sinks in, when it does, the guilt and shame can be devastating. This awful reality can bring the same devastation to fathers, grandparents and siblings. Abortion can destroy relationships within families as well as between God and an individual. As I said before, abortion is more of a spiritual issue than an election issue. Therefore, a Christian cannot debate the pros and cons of abortion anymore than they can debate the pros and cons of rape, stealing or adultery. Abortion cannot be “right” for in God’s sight it is a fundamental wrong. It is such a fundamental wrong that when it comes to voting, a candidate’s stance on the issue is irrelevant if he or she favours abortion. A vote is not a passive act. The voter participates in promoting the agenda of the candidate in an intentional act.

When it comes to abortion or to the proposed clamour for legislative amendment by persons who want legal sanction for “Abortion on Demand,” Christians must obey God rather than man. Those who have been called in grace and adopted as God’s children through the merits of Jesus Christ cannot sanction the destruction of pre-born children. However, the body of Christ is compelled to defend the cause of the weak and needy. The church is compelled to be a light to those trapped by the deeds of darkness. The Church’s gospel message of forgiveness is the only source of true hope and healing needed by those struggling with an abortion decision. Abortion is an atrocity that wounds women and destroys relationships. What kind of morality do we want in our leaders who will be making decisions about human embryo research, genetic manipulation, cloning, assisted suicide and euthanasia. The redeemed people of God are compelled to take action in favour of the morality that reflects God’s love for life and exemplified on the crown of His Son — Jesus Christ. Abortion is a spiritual issue and in that light — a sin. The Christians cannot vote for sin. We must vote for life.

PARTICIA ROBERTS
Lawyers for Christ
Port-of-Spain