Arguments Against Abortion
In January 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that abortion on demand was a choice that all Americans should have access to. However, with Roe vs. Wade, the argument over abortion, its necessity, whether it is harmful, and whether is moral, has only been intensified.
Controversy over abortion existed prior to 1973. In the early 1960s, most states prohibited abortion except in cases where the woman's life would be endangered if she carried her baby full term. By the late 1960s, several states had also made exceptions for cases of rape, incest, of for children with birth defects. In 1971, in response to the growing abortion rights movement, four states allowed all abortions that were judged necessary by a woman and her doctor.
With 48,589,993 children aborted since the passing of Roe vs. Wade, we have to ask ourselves these questions: Is abortion necessary? That is, was it a necessary evil? Has it been harmful to women and children? And, most importantly, is it morally wrong?
Controversy over abortion existed prior to 1973. In the early 1960s, most states prohibited abortion except in cases where the woman's life would be endangered if she carried her baby full term. By the late 1960s, several states had also made exceptions for cases of rape, incest, of for children with birth defects. In 1971, in response to the growing abortion rights movement, four states allowed all abortions that were judged necessary by a woman and her doctor.
With 48,589,993 children aborted since the passing of Roe vs. Wade, we have to ask ourselves these questions: Is abortion necessary? That is, was it a necessary evil? Has it been harmful to women and children? And, most importantly, is it morally wrong?
We Must Ask Ourselves
With 48,589,993 children aborted since the passing of Roe vs. Wade, we have to ask ourselves these questions: Is abortion necessary? That is, was it a necessary evil? Has it been harmful to women and children? And, most importantly, is it morally wrong?
Is abortion a necessary evil?
Abortion advocates assured us that easy access to abortion would mean "every child a wanted children," reducing the instances of child abuse. They claimed that abortion rights would also reduce crime, as unwanted and impoverished children, who often grow up to commit crimes, would never be born. In addition, they claimed that thousands of women died annually from abortions performed illegally by untrained doctors or worse. Issues: Child Abuse, Neglect, and Molestation
Is abortion a necessary evil?
With nearly 49 million children aborted since 1973, child abuse has failed to lower. Instead, it has risen dramatically, with nearly 1 million children were abused and neglected in 2003. It is suspected that as many as three times the number of reported children were actually abused and around 1,500 children died that year from abuse and neglect.Abortion did not solve the issues of child abuse or unwanted children. Child abuse has very little to do with whether or not a parent "wants them" but rather the psychological problems of the parent. While one could argue that abortion has prevented some children from future abuse, one can also argue that the worse form of child abuse is, in fact, abortion itself.
Issues: Criminal Activity, especially homicides and thefts
Is abortion a necessary evil?
It was also claimed that by allowing abortions, America would see a drop in crime rates, especially in large cities. This argument was based on the belief that unwanted children from low incomes families were more likely to commit crimes. Thus, allowing abortions would lower the number of unwanted births in that segment of society and overtime it would drop crime rates.
Issues: Women Dying from Illegal Abortions
Is abortion a necessary evil?
In the case of Roe vs. Wade, and in public arguments, claims were made that thousands of women were dying annually from abortions performed illegally. However, the American Medical Association reported that in 1950, 263 women died from illegal abortions, and in 1970, only 119 women died. While each and every life is important, the statistics prove that argument of many advocates was not simply inaccurate or ill-predicated, but a lie. Was it harmful?
Medical Risks of Abortion.
The truth is that like all medical procedures there are always risks to those involved. Statistics and personal testimonies prove that abortion is not a procedure void of complications. Abortion is the 5th leading cause of maternal death in America.According to the Center for Disease Control, 112 women died from legal abortion causes in 2003. Over half of the deaths were caused by injuries sustained during the procedure and occurred 42 days after the abortion took place.
Medical Risks of Abortion
Is abortion harmful?
Medical complications include:
- Infection
- Hemorrhage
- Uterine perforation
- Anesthesia-related complications
Medical Risks of Abortion
List by order of frequency, medical complications include: infection, hemorrhage, uterine perforation, and anesthesia-related complications. Abortions performed after the first trimester of pregnancies have higher risks of complications.
Was it Right?
The Gallup study found that 77% of Americans believe that abortion is at least the "taking of human life" (28%), if not "murder" itself (49%).
The Biblical Argument Against Abortion
There are a lot of perspectives on what makes abortion right or wrong. Different religions and creeds offer different stances. There are a lot of people, even Christians, who argue that there is no Biblical call against abortion. The moral argument I'd like to offer you is what the Bible says about our creation and His plans for our purpose on earth.
God forms us in the womb.
King David, 'the Psalmist', wrote this:
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
- Psalm 139:13-16
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
- Psalm 139:13-16
Who God is.
The prophet Isaiah had this revelation, and himself called God a name:
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb:
"I am the Lord, who made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself..."
- Isaiah 44:24
"I am the Lord, who made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself..."
- Isaiah 44:24
God knew our future.
For He, Himself, declared:
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I [made a future for] you%u2026"
- Jeremiah 1:5
and before you were born I [made a future for] you%u2026"
- Jeremiah 1:5
God planned our lives.
Is abortion moral?
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Jeremiah 29:11
Your decision.
In America, we have the freedom of choice about Abortion. We are free to believe it is moral or immoral, we are free to have the procedure, and we are free to vote for and against its legality. I cannot make you believe what I believe, but I can offer you valid arguments against abortion. I hope that you think critically about your believes and pray, if you believe in doing so, on whether you support this "procedure" in your country.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jennie Harris
[Disclaimer: The red photo at the top of the page was purchased by me. This page was built on a essay and PowerPoint presentation I did for a college course. Sources for my essay are listed at the bottom of the page.]
Thanks for stopping by,
Jennie Harris
[Disclaimer: The red photo at the top of the page was purchased by me. This page was built on a essay and PowerPoint presentation I did for a college course. Sources for my essay are listed at the bottom of the page.]
I wasn't aborted!
Random baby pictures.
bellybutton!
Kylie 1 hour old
Baby Conall
big sis
Perspective
Dos horas de vida, t...
he's born!
Baby Niamh
Summer, 9
Summer, 7
Share Your Opinion
Like America, the web has freedom of speech. I would like you to share your opinions about abortion. Please consider, however, that I have rated this page "G" and would prefer you refrain from hate speak, foul language, and post warnings to links included with graphic content.
Books on Abortion
Abortion & Life
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/14/2009) 
This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor
Amazon Price: $7.26 (as of 07/14/2009)
Forgiven and Set Free: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Women
Amazon Price: $8.79 (as of 07/14/2009)
You're Not Alone: Healing Through God's Grace After Abortion
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 07/14/2009)
A Defense of Abortion (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Public Policy)
Amazon Price: $31.49 (as of 07/14/2009)
Pro-Life Organizations
- Abortion Unfiltered... Abort73.com
- A thorough and comprehensive abortion education.
- Bound4Life
- It's not a protest, it's a prayer meeting.
Sources
I did a lot of reading for this project, these are simply the sources I quoted or paraphrased in my argument. A complete list of reading may be posted at a later time.
- Abortion Is a Social Failure. Misty Mealy.
Current Controversies: The Abortion Controversy. Emma Bernay. Detroit: Greenhaven
Press, 2007. From Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. - Introduction to Abortion: Opposing Viewpoints.
Opposing Viewpoints: Abortion. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven
Press, 2006. From Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. - Legal Abortion is Not Necessary to Protect Women's Health. Clarke D. Forsythe.
Contemporary Issues Companion: Women's Rights. Shasta Gaugher. San Diego: Greenhaven
Press, 2003. From Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. - Legal Post-Abortion Emotional Problems Harm Women. Valerie Meehan.
Opposing Viewpoints: Abortion. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven
Press, 2006. From Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. - Holy Bible, ESV.
