If I were you...

After posting my frustrations yesterday, one of the ladies in my Bible study also wanted to discuss the bills passed by  Missouri and Alabama and how we as Christians should respond. 

As the discussion bounced around between five or six of us, one of the ladies noted that our responses are hypothetical; most of us don't know how we truly would respond to a difficult situation, like abortion, until we find ourselves in the situation.

There's truth in that. 

The Missouri bill, which officially passed today, restricted abortions to 8 weeks with exceptions only for medical complications of the mother. One of the more prominent arguments against the bill is absence of exceptions for incest and rape. 

As we discussed the turmoil present in social media posts by friends and family, we addressed people we knew who had reasons for wanting these exceptions in place. That's when another truth struck me: personal reasons behind an abortion stance are complex and varied. 

It is foolish for defenders of the Pro-Life or the Pro-Choice movements to ridicule other about their "easy" decision. I admit, I have been at fault for this exact foolishness. 

Would I keep a child that was the result of rape? I want to say, yes, but one of the ladies pointed out the child would be a constant reminder of one of the most horrific events of your life. Could you carry the child to term and then offer up for adoption? Sure, but again, will the trauma ever end?

What if I do choose abortion within the guidelines of the exceptions of rape, incest or medical emergency? Personally, the guilt of ending the life of another would haunt me forever. I do realize that my reasoning will not resonate with many Pro-Choicers due to their definition of the start of life.

The love I would have for the child could ease the horror of rape. 

When considering medical emergency, is my life more important than the child's? Conversely, what about the stories of mothers I have read who chose their child over cancer treatment and die within hours or days of giving birth? Is it truly in the child's best interest to never have a mother? to possibly live with the guilt of causing the death of his/her mother? 

Complex, right? 

As our conversation ended, I was left with much to think about. 

Has my position on abortion changed? No. But I been challenged to consider the more complex situations behind someone else's stance. Any decision connected to pregnancy is a difficult one: you are considering the impact one choice will have on multiple individuals. 

Above all, my stance on abortion is founded on Psalm 139:13-14:

You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother's womb. I will give thanks and praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

All life is a wonderful creation of God. He says that His relationship with us begins "in my mother's womb" which to me dictates protecting all life within the womb (ie: from conception).

Our pastor is currently addressing controversial topics like abortion in his series "Skeptics Welcome". At the end of each lesson and question and answer time, he reiterates the importance of sharing the love of Christ with everyone we come in contact with. One way I can do this is to stop condemning those who choose abortion. I don't know the circumstances faced when making the decision. 

What I do want to make clear, dear reader, is that Pro-Life and Pro-Choice advocates do not make their decisions lightly. Both have complex situations that have dictated their decision. Treat each other with compassion.