Pro Choice Scripture?

[PigmerikanMao]

Does anyone know of some pro-choice scripture in the bible? I know it's a ridiculous question, but I would like to know if the church has handpicked scripture to use for their own moral philosophy on the matter of abortion or if the bible wholeheartedly condemns the practice. I know that there were primitive abortions given in the Greek and Roman empires- so early Christians should have at least known about the practice, maybe even written about it?

Just a question. :)

[Demogorgon]

The Bible does not mention abortion at any point either positively or negatively though it would certainly be known to the writers of the New Testament and at least some of the Old Testament writers.

Christian opposition to abortion is really a Nineteenth century phenomenon anyway. Prior to that, abortion was accepted before quickening.

If we attempt to find passages in the Bible that offer hints, our best bet is the book of Exodus which indicates that assaulting a woman in a manner that causes her to miscarry is to be considered a lesser crime to murder. That indicates at least that abortion cannot be considered murder in Biblical terms.

Note however that the likes of the Catholic Church do not base their teachings primarily on the Bible so all of this is of limited value in debates with them.

[PigmerikanMao]

Do you know where in Exodus it says this? This would at least help in debates with some more moderate protestants. :laugh:

[Demogorgon]

Exodus 21:22: If men quarrel, and one strike a woman with child and she miscarry indeed, but live herself: he shall be answerable for so much damage as the woman's husband shall require, and as arbiters shall award

Also another passage in Deuteronomy I Forgot:

Deuteronomy 5:13-19: If a man's wife goes astray and becomes unfaithful to him by having intercourse with another man, though her husband has not sufficient evidence of the fact, so that her impurity remains unproved for lack of a witness who might have caught her in the act; or if a man is overcome by a feeling of jealousy that makes him suspect his wife, whether she was actually impure or not; he shall bring his wife to the priest and shall take along as an offering for her a tenth of an ephah of barley meal. However, he shall not pour oil on it nor put frankincense over it, since it is a cereal offering of jealousy, a cereal offering for an appeal in a question of guilt. "The priest shall first have the woman come forward and stand before the LORD. In an earthen vessel he shall meanwhile put some holy water, as well as some dust that he has taken from the floor of the Dwelling. Then, as the woman stands before the LORD, the priest shall uncover her head and place in her hands the cereal offering of her appeal, that is, the cereal offering of jealousy, while he himself shall hold the bitter water that brings a curse. Then he shall adjure the woman, saying to her, 'If no other man has had intercourse with you, and you have not gone astray by impurity while under the authority of your husband, be immune to the curse brought by this bitter water.

The "Bitter Water' is the herbal abortifacient known as Pennyroyal, so it is the plainly the case that the old testament authorises, indeed requires, abortion when conception was through adultery. Bare in mind however that although this is not in Leviticus, it is still part of the Levitical laws, which according to Saint Paul's letters in the New Testament do not necessarily apply to Christians.

[Die Neue Zeit]

If we attempt to find passages in the Bible that offer hints, our best bet is the book of Exodus which indicates that assaulting a woman in a manner that causes her to miscarry is to be considered a lesser crime to murder. That indicates at least that abortion cannot be considered murder in Biblical terms.

That is indeed the basis for the Jewish position on abortion: a monetary fine was in order for causing miscarriage.

BTW, thanks for that "bitter water" trivia (didn't know about it until now, but it certainly gives more meaning to the mamzer question)! :blushing:

[Killfacer]

I found one:

Psalms 18:09

Joseph beget Jeramiah, jeramiah beget abraham who said unto his wife, ye must have abortion! For god has claimed it must be so.


See.

[Demogorgon]

Funnily enough in my copy that passage reads: He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

Damn mistranslations ;)