Protestant denominations & abortion

[ahimsaman72]

Lisa N:

When the ‘good’ doctor said he’d presided or was responsible for 60000 deaths it does not mean he was the abortionist. As an operator of a clinic with multiple providers he was responsible for the procedures done even if he didn’t have a hand in every abortion. So I don’t think you can discount his comments without understanding the context.

On the subject of reconciling with our Protestant brothers and sisters, on this issue I see no possibility if the denomination supports abortion. They are not going to change their stance on this issue and neither are Catholics. Abortion is a deal killer. I left the Methodist church over their abortion stance. It shocks me that this denomination is SO incredibly pro-abort. The site indicated the denomination even supported PBA. IMO that is absolutely unreasonable. John Wesley (one of nineteen children) must be rolling in his grave.

LIsa N

Obviously if a conglomeration of denominations and organizations are to have the same goal of ending abortion you can’t have one that says abortion is okay. What I find incredibly interesting is that fundamentalists seem to be more pro-life than the other protestants. Assembly of God, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventists and even Southern Baptists agree that abortion is morally wrong.

The problem is getting everybody to take the blinders off and put their other issues aside to combat this one issue of abortion. For example, the “Operation Rescue” organization is made up of different people from different backgrounds. They make it work. Everybody doesn’t have to jel together and make a fake ecumenical abortion fighting organization to be effective. But, getting beyond our denominational prejudices and realizing that there are some things we can do together to combat abortion is indeed the first step.

Peace…

 

[Lisa_N]

ahimsaman72:

Obviously if a conglomeration of denominations and organizations are to have the same goal of ending abortion you can’t have one that says abortion is okay. What I find incredibly interesting is that fundamentalists seem to be more pro-life than the other protestants. Assembly of God, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventists and even Southern Baptists agree that abortion is morally wrong…

Why do you find it ‘interesting.’ It makes perfect sense to me that the more conservative denominations would be anti-abortion. EVERYTHING in the Bible that speaks on this issue is very clearly prolife. Can you find anything in the Bible that would tend to support the “right to choose?” (said with tongue firmly in cheek and trying hard not to gag).

So it makes perfect sense that denominations that give little authority to the Bible or biblical teachings could make it up as they go along. These are the same denominations that have female priests, support homosexual marriages, ignore cohabiting couples. Let’s say they’ve strayed a bit. I always found one of the most ironic positions is that of the Unitarian church claiming that EVERY human being has an innate dignity that should be respected. Of course if you don’t get out of the womb alive you don’t qualify as a human being. These folks truly think they are being compassionate but their arguments are internally inconsisent. It’s much easier to justify abortion if you ignore other Bible teachigs with no regrets.

ahimsaman72:

The problem is getting everybody to take the blinders off and put their other issues aside to combat this one issue of abortion. For example, the “Operation Rescue” organization is made up of different people from different backgrounds. They make it work. Everybody doesn’t have to jel together and make a fake ecumenical abortion fighting organization to be effective. But, getting beyond our denominational prejudices and realizing that there are some things we can do together to combat abortion is indeed the first step.

Peace…

I don’t see a problem with “other issues” when it comes to abortion. If you are a Baptist or a Catholic, you may have different beliefs and practices but can unite with respect to this issue. OTOH if you are trying to get a dialogue going between the UCC and the Catholics with respect the prolife movement, you will find a very wide chasm that cannot be bridged IMO.

Lisa N

 

[Jay74]

It would be great to see all pro-life christian sects–catholics, protestants, evangelicals, non-denoms like me, etc–work together on important issues like abortion. We should throw in preservation of marriage as well. We’re giving pro-aborts and those who seek to redefine marriage the upper hand if we refuse to work together on important issues. We can disagree about doctrine, and discuss and debate that all we want, but lets not lose the most important battles because we disagree with those who could help us make progress.

A big divide this past election was many pro-lifers and pro-traditional marriage supporters voted kerry (is is pro life, and voted against FMA) because they disagreed with Bush on the war. I can respect that.

However, the debate about Bush is over–he is in for another term, then he is gone. Like the war or not, Bush was elected. Lets take Bush off the table–since he can never run again-- and make it clear that we’ll unite against anyone who supports abortion, who supports pro-abortion judges, anyone who refuses to define marriage, and anyone who supports judges who will take it upon themselves to define marriage for us (little dictators in black robes).

Then again, maybe this is wishful thinking.

 

[Katholikos]

ahimsaman72:

It’s amazing the turn-around in his life. And now he’s a pro-life Catholic!?!? Wow, as you said - thank God! I personally wonder if he suffers from any guilt of his past life. Admittedly, I have my own personal sins to deal with, but you would have to admit this kind of lifestyle is quite horrendous. To preside over that many deaths is incredible.

Thanks for sharing that bit of info.

Peace…

Yes, I’ve heard Dr. Nathanson speak, and he says, “Imagine, if you can, carrying around that kind of baggage.” He even aborted his own child. He said that like the Poet Laureate of England, G. K. Chesterton, he became a Catholic “to get his sins forgiven.”

Nathanson has another book, published just before he entered the Church, called “The Hand of God.” It’s a profoundly moving book. He read his way into the Church. His medical school professor, psychiatrist Karl Stern, had – unbeknown to Nathanson – converted to Catholicism from Judaism while Nathanson was studying under him. Stern’s book “Pillar of Fire,” influenced him greatly, as did Walker Percy, also an M.D., and other doctors who had written books about their conversion to Catholicism. He also read St. Augustine, Chesterton, and many other writers who influenced him enormously.

Nathanson is a very intellectual kind of a guy – he teaches James Joyce, the Irish author, at Vanderbilt U, for pleasure in his spare time. I can’t get past the first page of Joyce. Not even the first paragraph.

JMJ Jay

 

[Katholikos]

4 marks:

I am personally opposed to abortion. I am a man. I am incapable of having an abortion myself. I would never advise anyone, for any reason, to have one. I am also not the judge of others who have abortions. I extend to them in Christ only love, forgiveness and heartfelt concern.

To sin is human… to forgive divine.

My courageous bishop recently published an article “Time to kick some Catholic buts. . .” The ‘buts’ were of those who said: “I’m personally opposed to abortion, but . . .”

JMJ Jay

 

[ahimsaman72]

Lisa N:

Why do you find it ‘interesting.’ It makes perfect sense to me that the more conservative denominations would be anti-abortion. EVERYTHING in the Bible that speaks on this issue is very clearly prolife. Can you find anything in the Bible that would tend to support the “right to choose?” (said with tongue firmly in cheek and trying hard not to gag).

So it makes perfect sense that denominations that give little authority to the Bible or biblical teachings could make it up as they go along. These are the same denominations that have female priests, support homosexual marriages, ignore cohabiting couples. Let’s say they’ve strayed a bit. I always found one of the most ironic positions is that of the Unitarian church claiming that EVERY human being has an innate dignity that should be respected. Of course if you don’t get out of the womb alive you don’t qualify as a human being. These folks truly think they are being compassionate but their arguments are internally inconsisent. It’s much easier to justify abortion if you ignore other Bible teachigs with no regrets.

I don’t see a problem with “other issues” when it comes to abortion. If you are a Baptist or a Catholic, you may have different beliefs and practices but can unite with respect to this issue. OTOH if you are trying to get a dialogue going between the UCC and the Catholics with respect the prolife movement, you will find a very wide chasm that cannot be bridged IMO.

Lisa N

It is simply incredible because fundamentalist protestants are the farthest doctrinally from Catholics, yet have the same views of life and the doctrinally closer groups such as Lutherans and Anglicans do not hold the same views.

I don’t think anybody in their right mind would believe true dialogue can take place between Catholics and the Unitarians. However, if both groups sought to work on abortion together - then why not? If the goal is the same - (to end abortion), why shouldn’t we pull together “resources” and fight it?

That’s all I’m saying.

Peace…

 

[ahimsaman72]

Katholikos:

Yes, I’ve heard Dr. Nathanson speak, and he says, “Imagine, if you can, carrying around that kind of baggage.” He even aborted his own child. He said that like the Poet Laureate of England, G. K. Chesterton, he became a Catholic “to get his sins forgiven.”

Nathanson has another book, published just before he entered the Church, called “The Hand of God.” It’s a profoundly moving book. He read his way into the Church. His medical school professor, psychiatrist Karl Stern, had – unbeknown to Nathanson – converted to Catholicism from Judaism while Nathanson was studying under him. Stern’s book “Pillar of Fire,” influenced him greatly, as did Walker Percy, also an M.D., and other doctors who had written books about their conversion to Catholicism. He also read St. Augustine, Chesterton, and many other writers who influenced him enormously.

Nathanson is a very intellectual kind of a guy – he teaches James Joyce, the Irish author, at Vanderbilt U, for pleasure in his spare time. I can’t get past the first page of Joyce. Not even the first paragraph.

JMJ Jay

I know Vanderbilt well. I grew up fairly close to Nashville. Wow, well it’s great to hear a story such as his. I’m glad he has left that life and now uses his experiences to speak out against the atrocities of abortion. And, may God have mercy upon him, and upon us.

Peace…

 

[Katholikos]

Lisa N:

I always found one of the most ironic positions is that of the Unitarian church claiming that EVERY human being has an innate dignity that should be respected. Of course if you don’t get out of the womb alive you don’t qualify as a human being. These folks truly think they are being compassionate but their arguments are internally inconsisent. It’s much easier to justify abortion if you ignore other Bible teachigs with no regrets. Lisa N

I recently got a phone call from Georgia (I live in Arizona), from a man who informed me that he was my half-brother who had been given up for adoption when he was a baby, and that he was the child of my deceased father and a young farm girl. He found me through a study of his geneology. He told me how good his life had been with his adoptive parents. Stunned by this news, I said how glad he must be that abortion was not an option in those days, or he’d have never experienced life. I then learned that he was Unitarian and, of course, an abortion supporter. Go figure. What irony.

JMJ Jay

 

[4_marks]

Katholikos:

My courageous bishop recently published an article “Time to kick some Catholic buts. . .” The ‘buts’ were of those who said: “I’m personally opposed to abortion, but . . .”

JMJ Jay

I never said “but.” F.Y.I. I am opposed to abortion. I took part in anti-abortion protests. I came to the aid of persons who had been arrested by the police for blockading the steps of an abortion clinic. I am very much dismayed when officials of the Church such as Bishops, Cardinals and other dignitaries shy away from a vehement public condemnation of political leaders who support abortion as a “right” such as Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator John Kerry, Former President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, French President Chiraq, German President Schroeder, Israeli President Sharon, etc.

They seem to have little problem attacking President Bush for his stance in favor of capital punishment. What gives? I’ll tell you. Roman Catholic clergy, from the Pope on down, are NOT to be trusted. They are all fault ridden and sinful human beings. Take a look at the list of succesion of Pope. The early Popes all became Saints. Then , in 352 C.E., Liberius was elected Pope. From that point on, a downward spiral ensued. In fact, most of the Popes after 830 C.E. were not declared saints. The last Pope to have been declared an actual saint was Pius X.

As far as I am concerned, there is only One who can and should be trusted and that is, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Mere men will let you down. Only God is true and every man a liar!

 

[Katholikos]

ahimsaman72:

Protestant organizations are by and large natural arms of protestant denominations run by protestant people. They go hand in hand. Wouldn’t you agree?

I meant denomination – I sometimes use the terms “organizations” and “denominations” interchangeably. Perhaps I shouldn’t, huh?.

I’m sure you’ve done much more research than I have on the medical aspects of the pill and IUD. However, isn’t it true that these methods CAN be abortifacents. They aren’t by nature aboritifacents. The possibility is there but is minute. Isn’t that scientifically true?

Actually, the IUD is an abortifacient device. It never works by preventing ovulation. The IUD works by irritating the lining of the uterus and causing abortions. The Pill works in both ways – sometimes it suppresses ovulation and sometimes it causes abortion of a child at a very early stage of development – and a woman has no idea when this is happening in her body. I don’t remember the estimated percentage of one event vs. the other for The Pill. Depo-Provera and Norplant have an even higher rate of early chemical abortion than the Pill – up to 60%, if I remember correctly. Hey, if we knew a Ferris wheel at the fair would crash once in an estimated X number of rides and that our children would die, would we take a chance and let our children ride it? The Pill also causes blood clots and heart attacks in women.

I was on a discussion list with a medical doctor who said one of his colleagues had just lost his wife due to an embolism caused by The Pill.

My computer crashed recently and wiped out everything, but I’ll do the research and post the science on this issue to back up my statements.

If we really seek to end the holocaust of the unborn - you and I must make the efforts ourselves to mend the fences. With a combined effort the Catholic Church, the protestant churches, the Orthodox and all other religious faiths can make a huge difference in stopping it.

If we all worked together, yes, we could probably make a dent in the number of surgical abortions, suction abortions, saline abortions – abortions that take place in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and clinics – but what about the millions of abortions that take place privately? Children still die though RU-486 and other chemically induced abortions and by contraceptives like the IUD and “The Pill” by the jillions. And where are the Orthodox and Protestants on contraceptives – even those that are (ostensibly) ardently pro-life? They are standing by silently as this holocaust goes on. Children die in these silent abortions just as surely they do in surgical abortions. We need to educate Protestants – especially pro-lifers – about the dangers of contraceptives, both to women and to the unborn.

The Catholic Church stands alone, where once stood every Christian denomination until 1930. She is the only Church that has not caved in to the contraceptive mentality of our age. Even the Orthodox have caved in. That’s how many know that the Catholic Church is the One True Church.

God be with you (steps off soapbox).

Peace be to you and to all who post at Catholic Answers.

JMJ Jay

 

[Katholikos]

The suffering Pope speaks from his hospital window:

ON AOL: QUOTE: The pope also spoke out against abortion - urging people to "trust in the life that children who are not yet born silently cry out for.’’

"So many children, who are without families for various reasons, are asking for trust so that they can find a house that will accept them through adoption and temporary care,’’ his message said.END QUOTE

 

[Lisa_N]

Katholikos:

The suffering Pope speaks from his hospital window:

ON AOL: QUOTE: The pope also spoke out against abortion - urging people to "trust in the life that children who are not yet born silently cry out for.’’

"So many children, who are without families for various reasons, are asking for trust so that they can find a house that will accept them through adoption and temporary care,’’ his message said.END QUOTE

I saw this on the news this morning. What an inspiration, in his illness and fragile health, he speaks out against the horrors of abortion. I wish the rest of the clergy had half of his courage and strength of conviction.

I also saw a fascinating interview with Fr Neuhaus this morning. He said that the evangelicals have done a 360 on the abortion issue. When Roe was decided the Southern Baptists applauded the decision as protecting RELIGIOUS rights. According to Fr Neuhaus the ONLY large organization (religious or secular) that spoke out immediately and consistently was the Catholic church. He said that the Baptists made a public confession and apology for having taken this position initially and they are now adamantly pro life.

Maybe I am foolish but I do believe the tide is turning in our direction.

Lisa N

 

[Lisa_N]

ahimsaman72:

It is simply incredible because fundamentalist protestants are the farthest doctrinally from Catholics, yet have the same views of life and the doctrinally closer groups such as Lutherans and Anglicans do not hold the same views…

Hmmm, I think that differences in ceremony and procedures are really not as important as what I’d call fundamental issues. If two religious groups, say Orthodox Jews and Catholics, agree on a prolife stance, then I don’t think that their differing belief systems are even an issue. Fr. Neuhaus called this “ecumenism of the trenches.” IOW working for a common cause can overcome differences in belief systems that simply are not relevant to the cause.

ahimsaman72:

I don’t think anybody in their right mind would believe true dialogue can take place between Catholics and the Unitarians. However, if both groups sought to work on abortion together - then why not? If the goal is the same - (to end abortion), why shouldn’t we pull together “resources” and fight it?

That’s all I’m saying.

Peace…

But if there are such specific differences with respect to the ISSUE (not beliefs, not procedures, not hierarchy) how in the world could they work together to end abortion? IOW while I am sure there are a few Unitarians who are prolife, if they as individuals wish to contribute to the cause, well they are welcome. OTOH I do not expect the Unitarian CHURCH to ever come out for pro-life causes—unless it’s some convicted serial murderer on death row they are championing. Think I’m kidding? Well I am not. That is the irony of so many of these liberal Prots, they want to save the guilty and allow the innocent to die. Precisely why I left the Methodist church. How they can hold those two opposite positions baffles me to no end but I could not.

I am all for the proaborts having a change of heart but I am very skeptical that the pro abort and pro life ORGANIZATIONS will every work together to end abortion. I appreciate your optimism but do not share it.

Lisa N

 

[davy39]

ahimsaman72:

They are *moving *in the right direction. They are not there yet as I pointed out. If you look at the timeline you can see this progression.

From one Baptist to one Catholic you and I can begin to heal those wounds and practice compassion and understanding towards one another individually and make a difference collectively. As long as we harbor thoughts of me-them, we as denominations will not get far along in ecumenism.

The problem is - we have to make that choice. Are you willing to do so? That is the question.

Peace…

Yes, I’ve known many Baptists in the small town I grew up in. Their minister used to be our history teacher. (Try that now days) He was a fine man, and I respected him. It’s been said before, but I believe the mainline churches have to stress our similiarities, instead of trying to tear each other down all the time. If we don’t stick together, we will all suffer in the long run. And it’s not too early to start now. God bless.

 

[jimmy]

4 marks:

there is only one denomination that has officially condemned abortion. Surprise, it is not the Roman Catholic Church. It is the Jehovah’s Witnesses. No JW woman is permitted to have an abortion. If she does, she is disfellowshipped, and can never again be re-instated in good standing. She has become anathema.

Catholics have support programs run by dioceses for women who have had abortions. While this may be motivated by pastoral concern, is not strict condemnation of abortion. Plus, a woman can always seek forgiveness as a Roman Catholic, and receive it, for an abortion.

The point is. To denounce abortion is not a theological tenet of Catholicism, nor must one’s stance on abortion be a litmous test of a person’s faith in the One True God.

Abortion happens. Christians of all denominations must deal. Capice?

You are quite wrong. The Catholic Church certainly has denounced abortion, but they also believe that you can always be forgiven by Christ. Just because there is room for forgiveness does not mean that abortion is any less condemned. When you commit an abortion you automatically excommunicate yourself(latae sententiae excommunication). You must go to reconciliation to be reconciled with the Church.

 

[Cindy]

Katholikos:

The Catholic Church stands alone, where once stood every Christian denomination until 1930. She is the only Church that has not caved in to the contraceptive mentality of our age. Even the Orthodox have caved in. That’s how many know that the Catholic Church is the One True Church.

This is a great topic, Jay. Thanks for starting this thread.

Moral issues – contraception in particular – were instrumental in my own conversion to the Catholic faith. You’re absolutely right that the Catholic Church stands alone – all other Christian communities have succumbed to the secular culture. The Catholic Church *alone *is 100% pro-life because she respects and defends **every **stage of human life – from the very moment of conception until natural death.

The existence of abortifacient contraceptives is a reality that we must not ignore. Contraceptives such as the IUD, Norplant, Depo-Provera, and the Pill, have the potential to cause abortions. Taking the life of an innocent, seven-day-old human being in the womb by an early chemical abortion is just as sinful as taking the life of an innocent, seven-week-old human being by a surgical abortion. This is not an insignificant issue – it is a matter of life and death.

For nineteen hundred years, all Christians condemned contraception for the moral evil that it is. Today, the Catholic Church indeed stands alone – clear and irrefutable evidence that the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of Christian Truth and speaks with the voice of Christ.

Below are some excellent resources on this topic. All are available through* One More Soul *at www.onemoresoul.com.

Contraception: Why Not
by Janet E. Smith, PhD

Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
by Randy Alcorn

Birth Control and Christian Discipleship
by Dr. John Kippley

The Bible and Birth Control
by Charles D. Provan

Physicians Healed
Edited by Cleta Hartman

 

[Cindy]

Here are excerpts from a news article about an Episcopalian priest who discovered the Truth of the Catholic Faith because, in part, of this very issue…

National Catholic Register
Feb. 6-12, 2005

by Carlos Briceno
Register Correspondent

SCRANTON, Pa. –

Eric Bergman gave up friendships, his home and his priesthood in the Episcopal Church for his beliefs. The 34-year-old renounced his priesthood Dec. 31 and now wants to win souls as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. … Bergman also brings with him some 60 parishioners from his former congregation, the Church of the Good Shepherd in Scranton, Pa. … and 10 Episcopalians from a nearby parish.

…Bergman cited the [Pastoral] provision – along with Pope John Paul II’s commitment to the culture of life, the Church’s teaching authority and its “steadfastness and unwillingness to waver with regard to the moral teachings that are the foundation to the life of holiness” – as among reasons he decided to convert.

… Issues that have long set Rome and Canterbury at odds – and some new ones – spurred Bergman. One of them harks back to the Anglican Communion’s 1930 Lambeth Conference, which sanctioned the use of contraception.

“When you get down to it, if the (Episcopal) Church is not going to back you up on the issue of (the immorality of using) contraception, there’s no way you’re going to be able to preach the whole gospel of life,” Bergman said.

… In a Dec. 31 letter to Bishop Paul Marshall of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, Pa., he renounced his orders as a priest. Bergman cited contraception and the 2003 ordination of V. Gene Robinson, the first openly homosexual Episcopal bishop, as two major reasons for his dissatisfaction.

Bishop Robinson’s ordination was the “logical outcome” of the 1930 Lambeth decision, he said. … “When an ecclesial community pronounces intentional sterility among married couples to be blessed by God, that church all but formally invites into her midst the advocacy of blessings upon relationships that in the absence of sexual complementarity are of their very essence sterile.”

…He also pointed out that a contraceptive mentality that views children as “a burden instead of a blessing” only encourages abortion. He said the Episcopal Church has pushed for the legalization of abortion since 1967.

…“By His great grace and kindness our Lord has cured me of my former spiritual blindness and thus has compelled me to seek entry into, and full communion with, that part of Christ’s Body the Church that continues to engage the moral issues of our day at their most foundational level,” Berman wrote.

… Bergman’s wife, Kristina, said it hasn’t been easy to move out of their former home and leave behind friends who are angry at her husband. Still, she said, becoming part of the Catholic Church is the right thing to do. “We have to follow the truth, so it doesn’t matter what sacrifices we have to make,” she said. “We just have to do it.”

 

[Katholikos]

Lisa N:

I saw this on the news this morning. What an inspiration, in his illness and fragile health, he speaks out against the horrors of abortion. I wish the rest of the clergy had half of his courage and strength of conviction.

John Paul II the Great!

I also saw a fascinating interview with Fr Neuhaus this morning. He said that the evangelicals have done a 360 on the abortion issue. When Roe was decided the Southern Baptists applauded the decision as protecting RELIGIOUS rights. According to Fr Neuhaus the ONLY large organization (religious or secular) that spoke out immediately and consistently was the Catholic church. He said that the Baptists made a public confession and apology for having taken this position initially and they are now adamantly pro life.

I’m so proud of Father Neuhaus. We’ve got some great converts in this Church! On what program was this interview? I’m dazzled by his brilliance. Have you read *First Things, *the mag he edits and publishes?

Maybe I am foolish but I do believe the tide is turning in our direction.

hope you’re right about the tide, Lisa. But I am concerned that many “Christian” denominations remain committed to abortion and that even “pro-life Protestants” remain committed to abortifacient methods of contraception. They are, one has to say, not as pro-life as they think they are. That has to change if we’re ever to be victorious against abortion. We have to unite to oppose all, not some, abortions. Otherwise, we have little credibility with the abortion providers. They say, ‘why are you trying to put me out of business when you approve of X.’

Is it simply a matter of education? I don’t think so, since the abortion-causing devices and chemicals currently being used are well known. Why are these pro-life Protestants so myopic? How do we change their hearts and minds?

Maybe our pro-life Protestant sisters and brothers on this thread can answer these questions.

JMJ Jay

 

[ahimsaman72]

Cindy:

This is a great topic, Jay. Thanks for starting this thread.

Moral issues – contraception in particular – were instrumental in my own conversion to the Catholic faith. You’re absolutely right that the Catholic Church stands alone – all other Christian communities have succumbed to the secular culture. The Catholic Church *alone *is 100% pro-life because she respects and defends **every **stage of human life – from the very moment of conception until natural death.

The existence of abortifacient contraceptives is a reality that we must not ignore. Contraceptives such as the IUD, Norplant, Depo-Provera, and the Pill, have the potential to cause abortions. Taking the life of an innocent, seven-day-old human being in the womb by an early chemical abortion is just as sinful as taking the life of an innocent, seven-week-old human being by a surgical abortion. This is not an insignificant issue – it is a matter of life and death.

For nineteen hundred years, all Christians condemned contraception for the moral evil that it is. Today, the Catholic Church indeed stands alone – clear and irrefutable evidence that the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of Christian Truth and speaks with the voice of Christ.

Below are some excellent resources on this topic. All are available through* One More Soul *at www.onemoresoul.com.

Contraception: Why Not
by Janet E. Smith, PhD

Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
by Randy Alcorn

Birth Control and Christian Discipleship
by Dr. John Kippley

The Bible and Birth Control
by Charles D. Provan

Physicians Healed
Edited by Cleta Hartman

I went to the “Does the BPC Cause Abortions” link and read the info on the book. I have to say this wording troubled me:

"From a Bible-oriented Christian background and wide ranging knowledge of the subject, the author examines this topic with logic and honesty. He concludes that there is very strong evidence that contraceptive pills cause abortions and there is NO evidence that they do not."

Listen, this really seems biased from the get-go. You can’t prove a negative anyway. It’s marketing/propaganda that doesn’t sit well with me. I never heard this until about a year ago. I’ve casually looked for evidence to back up the claim.

I’m disappointed that the author or whoever wrote the background on this book took such a “journalistic” approach to this. Strong evidence that they do…no evidence that they do not. Sounds like the political meanderings of crooked politicians on Meet the Press Sunday mornings.

Peace…

 

[Mickey]

ahimsaman72:

Listen, this really seems biased from the get-go. You can’t prove a negative anyway. It’s marketing/propaganda that doesn’t sit well with me. I never heard this until about a year ago. I’ve casually looked for evidence to back up the claim.

The evolution of the birth control pill from pure contraceptive to frequent abortifacient poses important questions to pro-life activists.

Many women (including pro-lifers) who would never even consider a surgical abortion now use low-dose birth control pills that cause them to abort on an average of once or twice every year. A large number of pro-life women use these pills, and these are usually the women who cannot seem to make the connection between contraception and abortion in their minds.

These women and their husbands are employing a self-defense mechanism known as denial, and this eventually causes their entire pro-life philosophy to unravel. Ironically, the average pro-abortion woman has at most two or three surgical abortions during her childbearing years, while the average ‘pro-life’ woman on the Pill for ten years aborts at least ten times.

Some researchers (using very conservative figures) have calculated that the birth control pill directly causes between 1.53 and 4.15 million chemical abortions per year between one and two and a half times the total number of surgical abortions committed in this country every year! The Catholic Church has recently expanded its definition of abortion to include new drugs and surgical procedures. This expansion has not been necessary until this time because such abortifacient drugs and procedures simply have not existed until recently, and their invention has created a new ‘grey area’ that needed to be clarified.

The Pontifical Commission for the Authentic Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law, on November 24, 1988, stated that abortion is not only “the expulsion of the immature fetus,” but is also “the killing of the same fetus in any way and at any time from the moment of conception.”

This definition of abortion includes the use of any of the following;

• all birth control pills, because every birth control pill manufactured
today causes early abortions part of the time;
• mini-pills, morning-after pills, and true abortion pills such as RU-486;
• injectable or insertable abortifacients such as NORPLANT and
Depo-Provera; and
• the use of all intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are all abortifacients and
act by preventing the implantation of the already-fertilized zygote.