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The Sanctity of Life: A Christian Look at Abortion

The Bible affirms the sanctity of life and the unique worth of each individual. In Psalm 139:13-16, it is written, "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." This passage demonstrates that God is intimately involved in the formation of every human life, even before birth. Furthermore, the Ten Commandments include the injunction, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), which emphasizes the inherent value of human life.

Christianity teaches that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This concept affirms the unique worth and dignity of every person, regardless of age, development, or circumstance. Human life possesses an inherent value that cannot be compromised or diminished.

Life begins at conception and science supports this. At fertilization, a new organism with a distinct genetic identity comes into existence. The combination of the sperm and egg forms a single-celled zygote, which possesses all the necessary information to develop into a fully formed human being. From the moment of conception, the embryo has the potential to grow, develop, and exhibit the characteristics of a living organism. At the moment of fertilization, a unique and genetically distinct individual comes into existence with their own body.

The continuity of human development underscores the potentiality of an unborn child, and to terminate that life denies them the opportunity to fulfil their purpose and contribute to the world, no less than it would the murder of a newborn baby or even an infant or child who is not a fully developed person.

We are called to show compassion and support to those facing unplanned pregnancies. Instead of resorting to abortion, we should promote alternatives like adoption, where the life of the child is preserved, and the birth mother is provided with emotional, financial, and practical assistance.

The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights, as it forms the basis for all other human rights. The deliberate termination of an innocent human life violates this fundamental right and undermines the very fabric of a just society.

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the protection of the weak and vulnerable, this includes the unborn. As Christians, we are called to defend the voiceless and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9). Abortion denies the most vulnerable members of our society their right to life and protection.

Life is sacred and should be protected at all stages of development. The biblical teachings, theological considerations, and ethical implications support the notion that abortion is incompatible with the Christian understanding of the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. We are called to promote a culture of life, compassion, and support for those facing unplanned pregnancies, seeking to uphold the sanctity of life from conception until natural death.