Pro-abortion rights activists rally face-to-face against anti-abortion demonstrators as both march in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 25 in a demonstration that coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
I feel like it is safe to say that America is divided in almost every social issue out there. Issues like marijuana legalization, gun control and healthcare tear both the left and right apart like a piece of flimsy paper.
Another of these social issues that Americans from both sides cannot agree on is the touchy subject of abortion. The question then becomes why is this a huge issue and how does it differ from other disputes in America?
When it comes down to it, abortion is a religiously fueled debate.
“Pro-lifers” tend to be a predominately Christian group who believe that the Bible speaks against abortion. Though the good book does not directly say that abortion is wrong (due to the fact that modern practice abortion did not exist when the Bible was written), there are several verses that one could interpret it as such. Let us dive into the Bible and find those passages, shall we?
• Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.”
The sixth of the Ten Commandments that Moses gives to his people is the most common argument against abortion. Many of the pro-life supporters believe that life begins at conception, hence, an abortion of an unborn fetus would constitute as killing in their eyes. Yet this verse’s argument all comes down to when one believes life begins.
• Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to witness this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose therefore life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
This is another verse that on its surface looks as if it is against abortion. However, the word “seed” is unclear as it has been translated into the word “children” in several different versions of the Bible. Also, using the context surrounding the verse, it talks about repercussions of believing in other gods and the false word of mankind. This verse is not as strong as others used against abortion, but it still can be seen as condemning against abortion.
• Job 31:15 “Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?”
This passage in the book of Job refers to the child in the womb as being created by God. If one were to follow this passage, it could be taken as abortion as destroying something from God. Again, if we look at the surrounding context in the book of Job, there is little indication that this is a proclamation against abortion.
I have said it many times: the Bible is a powerful tool. Essentially, it all comes down to reading the Bible as a literal translation or a figurative translation. The ambiguity of the Bible and its meanings within it our part of what makes it both timeless and controversial. So whether you agree with the Bible or not, the fact is that it is one of the fundamental reasons on why debate on social issues, such as abortion, continue in this country.
