Which Protestant Faiths Permit Abortion

[humble_maid]

I do not know if this has been brought up yet, but just look at the Religious Colation for Reperductive Choice’s website and that will tell you which protestant traditions support abortion. (rcrc.org) According to the site the Episcopal Church, PCUSA, UCC, and a couple of the UMC boards. Trust me, while the majority of Americans as pro-life the majority of mainline protestant groups are not, and most of the clergy and semenaries are not. This is one of the things that brought about my conversion to the Catholic Church. I am in a minority here at MTSO (Methodist Theological School in Ohio) as a pro-life student, and that saddens me. But that also tells me that there is still a lot of work to be down in advancing the culture of life!

Hello dsears,

You are not alone so long as you are part of our Church. As true, devoted Catholics we must remain true to the teachings of the Church which are inspired from the Holy Spirit and handed down through Sacred Tradition from the early Church Fathers including the apostles; this is why we can attest to being Holy, One, Universal, and Apostolic. Continue to pursue in the truth; may I ask what you are doing in a Methodist Theological School?

God Bless

 

[Spun]

Triune Unity,

It’s a very small point but it’s not entirely accurate to say that there were three large liberal Lutheran bodies that went to make up the ELCA. A survey of the history shows that there was one large liberal Lutheran body (LCA), a smaller moderate Lutheran body (AELC) and one smaller, fairly conservative body (ALC) that went to make up the new church in '88.

The history of the formation of that church is fascinating, It does appear that if the congregations of the ALC weren’t actually lied to when they were being courted, they were certainly led down a primrose path into a union many of them regret today.

The ALC is a historic church of Scandinavian descent (if I remember correctly) which while somewhat to the left of Wisconsin, was probably to the right of where Missouri stands today when the merger took place.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Triune Unity,

It’s a very small point but it’s not entirely accurate to say that there were three large liberal Lutheran bodies that went to make up the ELCA. A survey of the history shows that there was one large liberal Lutheran body (LCA), a smaller moderate Lutheran body (AELC) and one smaller, fairly conservative body (ALC) that went to make up the new church in '88.

The history of the formation of that church is fascinating, It does appear that if the congregations of the ALC weren’t actually lied to when they were being courted, they were certainly led down a primrose path into a union many of them regret today.

The ALC is a historic church of Scandinavian descent (if I remember correctly) which while somewhat to the left of Wisconsin, was probably to the right of where Missouri stands today when the merger took place.

That’s true, Spun. I suppose I shouldn’t have used liberal in description of the ALC, however, as a WELS Lutheran, everyone else tends to get placed in the liberal camp. Haha. As to whether it was more conservative than Missouri, it’s hard to say. Missouri can be hard to figure out, it seems to fluctuate based on the congregation. They’ve made the same mistake as evangelicalism in assuming they are conservative because of their stance on social issues; but that doesn’t cut aross to theology. You’re also correct that the LCA was the only large liberal body. I’m not sure I referred to the others as large, though.

 

[Lapell]

Yes that is how the Mormon Church tries to justify abortion.

They should know that you don’t fix an evil act with another. Also, having thought abortion would solve their problem, many women realize that it more especially brought them more problems.

 

[CMatt25]

I know many of you are big Fr Serpa fans. But I don’t understand his answer to a poster in the Ask an Apologist Q&A forum I was reading.

Questioner: "What is the church’s teachings on which life should be spared when mother or baby will die if the pregnancy continues or at the delivery of the baby? Has this answer changed at any time in church history?

Fr Serpa: “The Church teaches that every effort must be directed to saving both. The direct killing of either is immoral.”

It seems he avoided a direct answer on which life should be spared.

Would the Church being so absorbed in this one issue, seemingly in black and white at times, in its stringent anti choice anti abortion cause advocate a woman choosing to give up her life in the case asked about by the questioner?

 

[lil_flower_luv]

I know many of you are big Fr Serpa fans. But I don’t understand his answer to a poster in the Ask an Apologist Q&A forum I was reading.

Questioner: "What is the church’s teachings on which life should be spared when mother or baby will die if the pregnancy continues or at the delivery of the baby? Has this answer changed at any time in church history?

Fr Serpa: “The Church teaches that every effort must be directed to saving both. The direct killing of either is immoral.”

It seems he avoided a direct answer on which life should be spared.

Would the Church being so absorbed in this one issue, in its stringent anti choice anti abortion cause advocate a woman choosing to give up her life in the case asked about by the questioner?

Hello again Matt

A.) Fr. Serpa was as clear as crystal as to the Church’s position on that issue.

B.) Of course the Church would advocate a woman giving her life to save her baby! That’s martyrdom. It’s just like giving your life for a close friend (something even the Bible recommends - John 15:13.) And this sort of thing has happened before. God Bless.

 

[kartinkent]

According to my knowledge, the Catholic Church considers life to begin at the moment of conception (which if my memory serves me correctly from health class is when sperm meets egg I think). So to abort the fetus or whatever the correct term is, would mean, in the churches eyes, to “murder” or take a life, which according to the ten commandments is a sin.

 

[CMatt25]

Ok thanks to you both. Sounds like the Church is forcing a woman to make the choice to kill herself in that case. That’s what I thought. I just wanted to be clear on the Church’s position. Perhaps that’s what Fr Serpa meant about either killing being immoral. God bless and peace.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Ok thanks to you both. Sounds like the Church is forcing a woman to make the choice to kill herself in that case. That’s what I thought. I just wanted to be clear on the Church’s position. God bless and peace.

Who said “forcing” here? Please do not put words in my mouth. :tsktsk: I said the Church would advocate a woman giving her life, not force. Surely, as mentioned, the answer would be try to save both. It isn’t murder if the baby is killed while trying to save the mother. Both lives are precious - that’s important to remember.

 

[CMatt25]

Who said “forcing” here? Please do not put words in my mouth. :tsktsk: I said the Church would advocate a woman giving her life, not force. Surely, as mentioned, the answer would be try to save both. It isn’t murder if the baby is killed while trying to save the mother. Both lives are precious - that’s important to remember.

Therese, my post thanked both of you and the poster after you had said it would be murder. Sorry if you misunderstood and thought I was referring only to your response. It is late and I didn’t mean to imply I was only referring to your answer. Thank you.

 

[CMatt25]

Who said “forcing” here? Please do not put words in my mouth. :tsktsk: I said the Church would advocate a woman giving her life, not force. Surely, as mentioned, the answer would be try to save both. It isn’t murder if the baby is killed while trying to save the mother. Both lives are precious - that’s important to remember.

Therese, my post thanked both of you and the poster after you had said it would be murder. Sorry if you misunderstood and thought I was referring only to your response. It is late and I didn’t mean to imply I was only referring to your answer. Also if I misundersood what Kartinkent said. Thank you.

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

According to my knowledge, the Catholic Church considers life to begin at the moment of conception (which if my memory serves me correctly from health class is when sperm meets egg I think). So to abort the fetus or whatever the correct term is, would mean, in the churches eyes, to “murder” or take a life, which according to the ten commandments is a sin.

Therese, my post thanked both of you and the poster after you had said it would be murder. Sorry if you misunderstood and thought I was referring only to your response. It is late and I didn’t mean to imply I was only referring to your answer. Also if I misundersood what Kartinkent said. Thank you.

The best way I can explain this is if you are hanging off of a cliff. With one hand you are holding a child, with the other clinging to an exposed root. You only have strength to hold on for a little while and if you try stay there you might both die, or potentially be rescued by some passers-by. If you drop the child, you can hang on the root for twice as long, potentially forever (in this hypothetical at least), but it requires the death of that child. Or, you can lift the child and place it on the root, thus eliminating your handhold and causing YOUR death, but saving the life of the child.

Which would be the ethical choice/s? Why? From the Catholic perspective the answer is easy. From most perspectives the answer is easy. I just hope my lack of ability in allegory doesnt cloud my point.

FSC

 

[Lapell]

Ok thanks to you both. Sounds like the Church is forcing a woman to make the choice to kill herself in that case. That’s what I thought. I just wanted to be clear on the Church’s position. Perhaps that’s what Fr Serpa meant about either killing being immoral. God bless and peace.

CMatt25,
you seem to leave out God’s INFINITE mercy and the forgiving graces of the Sacrement of Reconciliation when the penitent has contrition and regrets the wrong he/she did. And it doesn’t cost anything and the soul feels so much better. You certainly talk from misconceptions you have about the Catholic Church. But God’s mercy is not a free ticket for us to remain in sin. The New Testament is clear on this. Check it out if you wish to.

 

[Palaeologos]

I don’t believe there are any Protestant groups that “find abortion an acceptable form of birth control.”

Are you kidding? TEC practically considers it a sacrament…

 

[Lapell]

Therese, my post thanked both of you and the poster after you had said it would be murder. Sorry if you misunderstood and thought I was referring only to your response. It is late and I didn’t mean to imply I was only referring to your answer. Also if I misundersood what Kartinkent said. Thank you.

If the poster is me, I was not commenting on the cases when the mother’s life is in danger in her body from bearing a child. I agree with Therese in those cases. But more than 95% of abortions have nothing to do with raped women or women having a life-threatening condition from bearing a child.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Therese, my post thanked both of you and the poster after you had said it would be murder. Sorry if you misunderstood and thought I was referring only to your response. It is late and I didn’t mean to imply I was only referring to your answer. Also if I misundersood what Kartinkent said. Thank you.

I see. Thank you. I hope you better understand now! God Bless you.

If the poster is me, I was not commenting on the cases when the mother’s life is in danger in her body from bearing a child. I agree with Therese in those cases. But more than 95% of abortions have nothing to do with raped women or women having a life-threatening condition from bearing a child.

That is correct. I believe on a Planned Parenthood website it said, “inconvenient to have child at this time.” Inconvenient for the Mother or the child?

 

[CMatt25]

Lapell, no no my friend. I asked my question when I asked about the Fr Serpa response and Lil Flower and another right after her responded. But the NT is one of my favorite parts of the Bible!

 

[CMatt25]

I see. Thank you. I hope you better understand now! God Bless you

Therese, God bless you too and have a most wonderful luvly day!

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Therese, God bless you too and have a most wonderful luvly day!

You too!

:grouphug:
~Therese

 

[Lapell]

Lapell, no no my friend. I asked my question when I asked about the Fr Serpa response and Lil Flower and another right after her responded. But the NT is one of my favorite parts of the Bible!

O.K., so it was someone else. No problem. Peace be with you.