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Is Your Televangelist
Bigger Than Your God?
by Sylvia Cochran
(Home)

Once of the most pervasive myths within our society is the supposed fact that unwanted pregnancies only happen to “other people”, “poor people”, or “single women”. This is not entirely correct. On the contrary, many a well-established, married or single, woman quite often faces the fact that she is with child, and quite often the occasion is not a joyous one. Sometimes, the woman thus faced with an unwanted pregnancy happens to be a professing Christian, and is now staring down the pointed end of a double-edged sword.

What is a Christian to do?

The answer, by and large, depends on which flavor of Christianity one subscribes to. The Episcopal Church, for example, stated in 1994 that “in those cases where an abortion is being considered, members of this Church are urged to seek the dictates of their consciences in prayer...”. (1) The Presbyterian Church, in a 1992 publication, stated that “The considered decision of a woman to terminate a pregnancy can be morally acceptable...” (2) The United Methodist Church, at its 2000 General Conference, went so far as to state that “...we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy.” The Unitarian Universalist Association resolved at its 1987 General Assembly to reaffirm its position “...supporting the right to choose...abortion as legitimate aspects of the right to privacy...”

No surprisingly, the aforementioned denominations, and a number of others, belong to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. (3) A woman whose affiliation is with God first, and a denomination secondly, however, will soon realize that the devil himself is perfectly able and willing to quote scriptures, and perhaps a better place to get spiritual input on the issue of abortion is not the local televangelist but God Himself.

God is quite clear about whom He sees in the driver’s seat when it comes to life or death decisions: · Psalm 119:73 reads “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands.” · Psalm 139:13-16 goes on further to say “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; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” · And then, of course, there is Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.”

It appears that, in spite of the unbiblical rhetoric of various denominations, God has not changed. Regardless of the seemingly soothing balm for itching ears that wish to receive the Bible’s seal of approval for murder most foul, it does not change who God is. Granted, it may package God differently, and downplay or de-emphasize a few verses here or there, but it does not change the fact that God has not given over any of what He views as His domain: the decision over life and death.

So...what is a Christian to do?

Have the baby. If you believe it necessary, contact the large variety of adoption agencies and choose a good home for your child, or leave it up to the agency to do so. Get yourself into counseling. Get help from friends, family, or true Christians. Whatever you do, do not commit murder, even if your televangelist thinks he knows more than the Big Guy, whom he is supposedly representing, does.

(1) Book of Common Prayer (2) Problem Pregnancies and Abortion (3) "http://www.rcrc.org/index.htm"

This article was previously published at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/pro_life/105201

You can reach Ms. Cochran at: sylviacochran@ucd.net