In 2022 there were over 16,500 abortions in Scotland. To try and put that into some context, that’s more than 206 double-decker buses full of people. The rate of abortions in the most deprived areas of Scotland is double that in the least deprived and the number of abortions increased by 19% from 2021. Abortion is growing across the UK, and the total number of abortions in the UK since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967 is now well over 10 million. This is tragic, not only for the millions of babies who were killed but also for the mothers and fathers who are often traumatised as a result. The British Journal of Psychiatry published a study in 2018 which concluded: “Women who have had an abortion experienced an 81% higher risk of mental health problems of various forms when compared with women who had not had an abortion.”
It is vital to consider who are those affected by abortion, who are the unborn?
Looking to science, we learn that from conception there exists a unique, living and whole individual. That means the only difference between a baby in the womb and you now is time. Scripture mentions the unborn in different passages. In the very beginning of God’s creation, in Genesis, we learn that mankind is made in the image of God and has great value and dignity for that reason. Psalm 139 tells us that we were knitted together in our mother’s womb and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jeremiah 1:5 we read “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”. Life is valuable from conception because God Himself became an embryo, a pre-born baby in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Life, value and personhood begins at conception and God has shown us that most clearly in Jesus Christ. Life begins in the womb, we are all made in God’s image and we matter deeply to Him, for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.
Although scripture doesn’t use the word abortion, it talks against child sacrifice. Psalm 106 says: “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood. They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves. Therefore the Lord was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance”.
God was disgusted with his people who allowed the shedding of innocent blood through child sacrifice. Today we don’t sacrifice children to the gods of Canaan, but instead, we sacrifice our children to the gods of fear, shame, convenience or pleasure. And instead of temples, today by far the majority, over 80% of all abortions in Scotland, happen in the home. Full or partial home abortions are now the most common procedure. In Scotland, in 2021 the figure for full or partial home abortions was 11,249 (81.8% of total).
If you are Christian, you know that taking the life of an innocent human being is wrong (see Exodus 20). Abortion always takes the life of an innocent human being so we must conclude that abortion is always wrong. The Bible tells us that we should do. We are called to protect the vulnerable. In Proverbs 31 we read, ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, .. defend the rights of the poor and needy’. In every society, the most vulnerable are the unborn baby in the womb. We should show mercy to those who have been affected by abortion and point them to Jesus, who is willing and able to forgive. We should also offer hope to those affected by abortion. There is often guilt and shame linked to abortion where the Lord wants people to come to a place of forgiveness and restoration.
Christians can help to expose the reality of abortion and protect the unborn by starting to talk about it. Women who find themselves in unplanned pregnancies, or who are unable to care for their child could have their child adopted or get the support they need. Many people in the UK would love to adopt a baby but there are very few babies to adopt due to abortion.
In the UK the work of the Centre for Bioethical Reform UK (CBR UK) seeks to educate society on the humanity and value of unborn children and the reality of “abortion”. Their goal is to make abortion unthinkable in the UK. I would encourage anyone wanting to know more to visit their website cbruk.org. There are many ways you can take action to help put an end to abortion. You can pray, get educated on the reality of abortion, give towards those working full time to raise awareness and you can join teams of educators going out to the streets to speak to people about abortion and expose the reality of it using images. CBR UK’s purpose is never to condemn anyone for past abortions but to protect children and mothers from future abortions.
You may have never talked about abortion in church before, but I would encourage you to start a conversation. Many Christians do not know the reality of what an abortion is and how violent it is. Jesus calls us to follow him and count the cost; we are called to be not just hearers of the word but doers also. Thousands of babies are being killed in this country each year and there are so few voices speaking out against it. I would urge you to obey God’s command and join the effort to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
