The paradox of concern for unborn life that becomes damnation upon birth

There is no greater moral aberration then those who claim to protect unborn life but damn their subsequent existence. Moral relativism is a cancer gradually eroding Christian unity today. The merger of religious activism into politics organized by political entities concerned not with building a righteous world by God’s word for the benefit of all people but hiding their true intentions of accumulating power and wealth surreptitiously.

Abortion by any moral measure is a difficult issue. The Episcopal Church has never recommended abortion but recognizes that women may be placed in difficult situations where accepted medical care calls for a termination of pregnancy.

Living in Ethiopia for a decade where I cared for thousands of infants with severe spina bifida I was constantly aware how these poor families did the best they could. Many there did not want abortion if a child had an ultrasound indicating a defect. Yet whatever “offense” the mother may have committed in getting pregnant the mother and child were not seen as damned. At first the country did not want to admit high levels of birth defects but now is actively engaged in promoting pre-natal and infant medical care. Yet in America, many political leaders, see no responsibility in promoting the life of children or their mothers among those they have judged not to be worthy or the product of sin.

In Matthew 7:15-16 (NRSVUE) Jesus warns of judgments falsely made in God’s name. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will now them by their fruits.”

While the political activists against abortion care claim they are protecting the unborn at the same time they are removing and reducing access to pre-natal, maternity, and child medical care in those same states. Their moral heresy is to say you cannot end a pregnancy but you can deny babies and mothers healthcare and quality education. Many of these states refuse to participate in federal Medicaid extensions to reduce high maternal death rate and improve child health care.

You will see many demonstrations of Christian advocates for banning of abortion when bills are proposed in state legislature. Yet these same groups remain silent when bills to extend health services, education, or parental support are quickly dismissed.

They offer fake referral services for pregnant women in a crisis situation whose only goal is to delay medical treatment beyond the narrow window allowed by state law and then inhumanely abandon them without further help. The welfare of the child and mother they claim are God’s precious creation no longer matter.

Instead of wanting to commit more resources to prevent pregnancy, support mothers in crisis, improve child care and education they paradoxically want to punish the mother and child for sin. All the while claiming conception is a “holy act”. All though they render a judgment of damnation on these mothers and infants and crisis they hold themselves harmless in their abandonment of societal responsibility.

If we took these positive steps to support women in need then I think this would be best way to accomplish the goal of reducing abortion. Jesus warned us emphatically to avoid judging the sinner and to be helpful in the sinners time of need because we will all be judged by God in how we love thy neighbor. Jesus tells us to not hinder the children to come to him. Abandoning a child once born is violates this sacred duty. This is not the fruit Jesus wishes to see in God’s creation. Women in crisis must be saved from those wolves who try to use them.