Like Oil and Water, Christianity and Pro-Choice are Incompatible

As a person of faith, one's religious beliefs often shape their worldview and guide their moral compass. For Christians, their ultimate authority is the Bible, which outlines principles and teachings that are considered sacred and unchanging. When it comes to the issue of abortion and being pro-choice, the stance of Christianity becomes clear - it is incompatible with the belief in the sanctity of life as outlined in the Bible.

Central to the Christian faith is the belief that all life is sacred and created by God. From the very beginning, the Bible emphasizes the value and sanctity of human life. In Genesis 1:27, it states, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This verse highlights the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their stage of development or circumstances.

Furthermore, the Bible consistently condemns the taking of innocent life. In Exodus 20:13, one of the Ten Commandments, it states, "You shall not murder." This commandment is a clear indication that God values and cherishes life, and that the intentional ending of a human life is morally wrong.

Abortion, by its very nature, involves the termination of a pregnancy and the ending of a human life. It is a decision that directly contradicts the teachings of Christianity and the belief in the sanctity of life. While some may argue that being pro-choice allows for personal freedom and autonomy, it is important to recognize that this freedom should not come at the expense of another person's right to life.

Throughout history, Christianity has consistently condemned abortion as a grave moral sin. Early Christian writings, such as the Didache and the Epistle of Barnabas, explicitly denounced abortion as a violation of God's commandments. The early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian and Augustine, also condemned abortion as an act of murder.

Moreover, Christian denominations across the spectrum, including the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and many Protestant denominations, hold a firm stance against abortion. They view it as a direct violation of God's commandments and a disregard for the sanctity of life.

The Bible provides further support for the pro-life stance by explicitly addressing the value of unborn life. In Jeremiah 1:5, the prophet Jeremiah states, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." This verse highlights the divine knowledge and purpose God has for each individual even before their birth.

In Psalm 139:13-16, King David praises God for His intricate involvement in the formation of every human life, stating, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... 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." These verses emphasize the intimate care and value that God places on every unborn child.

Many notable figures within the Christian community have spoken out against abortion, further reinforcing the incompatibility between Christianity and being pro-choice.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent Christian leader and civil rights activist, once said, "The Negro cannot win if he is willing to sacrifice the futures of his children for immediate personal comfort and safety. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Mother Teresa, a revered Catholic nun, dedicated her life to serving the poor and vulnerable. She stated, "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

These statements, among many others, highlight the belief that protecting the sanctity of life is an essential aspect of Christian faith and moral responsibility.

With that being said, being both a Christian and pro-choice is fundamentally incompatible due to the Christian belief in the sanctity of life and the teachings of the Bible. Christianity emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. The intentional termination of a pregnancy, as in the case of abortion, directly contradicts these beliefs and goes against the very principles that Christians hold dear. It is important for Christians to uphold the sanctity of life and advocate for the protection of the most vulnerable among us.