When Is It Alright?
Part 1 of 4
A baby which is still forming in the womb might not look as cute, or as developed—or as human even—as a baby who has been born and is cooing softly in the comfort of its tiny cot. In the first stages of its development, it may even be considered as just a clump of cells by many people.
But from the point of conception, right until it is born, it is a human life, and it deserves to be treated as such. And yet, many people condone and support and even try to justify the act of abortion, the snuffing out of a life in its prime—in the very place where it is supposed to be most protected and safe! “But there are some instances where abortion is justified,” many of you might say.
- “What if my young daughter is raped and gets pregnant? Would you expect her—or any woman really—to keep a baby conceived in such horrible circumstances?”
- “Or what if the mother’s life is in danger because of the pregnancy? Shouldn’t the baby be sacrificed so that the mother can live on and still be in with a chance of trying for another baby?”
- “And what if I find out that the baby in my womb is disabled? Wouldn’t it be better if I liberate him or her from not being able to live a normal, healthy life?”
These may all be viewed as quite reasonable arguments. After all, the mother has every right to keep herself from remembering her attack, or to save her own life, or to make sure that her child doesn’t suffer throughout its life.
But then, where are the rights of the baby itself?
- Does the baby in the womb not deserve a chance to live?
- Isn’t it innocent of the circumstances of its conception?
- Is its life any less valuable because it has a medical condition or disability?
So, should we have exceptions for abortion?
In this series of articles, we will explore the above three scenarios in more detail.