If Abortion Kills a Child, There Can Be No Exceptions

“I’m not ok with abortion. I’m pro-life all the way. But, I think there should be an exception for rape and incest.”

If you’ve spent any time following the abortion debate, you’ve likely heard someone express that sentiment. You may have even said that yourself. But, when taken to its logical conclusion, this argument is irrational and, I would argue, more pro-choice than pro-life.

In an emotionally-charged debate, like the one around abortion, it’s not surprising to find people using emotion to make their decisions and form their opinion. Emotionally, it feels wrong that a woman who was raped or the victim of incest should have to carry and give birth to a baby. And, yes, emotionally, it’s got to be hard to say that to the face of a woman dealing with that very situation.

We can argue all day long about the emotions of the issue.

“The baby was forced on her, so she shouldn’t be forced to give birth.” “The baby will be a reminder of the trauma in her life in the future.”

Or, the emotions on the other side.

“The people whose mothers were raped and chose to give birth to them make a compelling argument for why they should be allowed to live.”

“The mothers who were raped and chose to have the baby calling it the ‘best decision they ever made’ also make a good point.”

Those are interesting and thought-provoking arguments from both sides, but at the end of the day, we cannot allow emotion to rule when deciding the fate of the unborn.

If a person is against abortion because it is the taking of an innocent human life, there is no logical way to have any exception. If the baby is a person created in the image of God from the moment of conception (which they are), then the route to that conception has no bearing on the right to life for that child. Just because the child was conceived in horrific circumstances doesn’t justify murder of the child.

True, these situations are heart-wrenching and life-altering for the mothers involved, which is why the church must rally around these mothers and provide them the support they need. We need to be helpful before, during, and after the baby’s birth and do so in humble love. Christians cannot be seen to only be pro-life until the baby is born, and then walk away and say, “You’re on your own. We’ve done our part.” The support must continue.

To truly be pro-life though, means in every circumstance, in every case, through every emotion, we are for preserving the life of the child. Anything less is misguided emotion more fitting of the pro-choice movement.