Coptic Orthodox Answers (Q&A) E04: Why is the church against abortion?

Summary

This video addresses the controversial issue of abortion from the perspective of the Orthodox Christian Church. It emphasizes that the Church's stance is not to condemn or guilt individuals but to provide clarity on the sanctity of life. The script highlights the Church's belief in the sacredness of life from conception, using scripture and tradition to underline its position. The speaker stresses that life is a gift from God, and taking an innocent life through abortion is forbidden. While acknowledging difficult circumstances, the Church stands firm in protecting all life created by God.

Takeaways

• 😀 The church's stance on abortion is not about condemning individuals but understanding the sanctity of life and guiding people through difficult decisions.
• 😀 Abortion is a highly controversial issue, and the church acknowledges the emotional and difficult nature of the decision for many individuals.
• 😀 The church's perspective on abortion is not political; it aims to shed light on dark situations and uphold the sanctity of life as defined by God.
• 😀 Globally, 40 to 50 million abortions are performed annually, which equates to 125,000 abortions each day.
• 😀 The church focuses not on the rights of people but on understanding how God defines life and the sanctity of life.
• 😀 While abortion is not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, taking an innocent life is condemned throughout the Bible (e.g., Exodus 20:13, Leviticus 24:17, John 8:12).
• 😀 Orthodox Christians not only refer to Scripture but also to Holy Tradition to understand the sanctity of life, including writings like the Didache and teachings from the Fathers of the Church.
• 😀 The Didache (1st century) clearly condemns abortion and infanticide, and St. Basil the Great (4th century) imposed penance for procuring an abortion.
• 😀 The church recognizes that life begins not at birth but at conception, as demonstrated in the Bible (e.g., Jeremiah 1:5 and the story of John the Baptist leaping in the womb).
• 😀 The church holds that it is God, the life-giver, who defines when life begins, rejecting secular attempts to scientifically pinpoint the beginning of life.
• 😀 Ultimately, the church teaches that every life willed into existence by God should be preserved, and no one has the authority to take innocent life.

Q & A

What is the Church's stance on abortion?

The Church condemns abortion because it believes that life, as a gift from God, should not be taken. The Church emphasizes that life begins at conception and that every life is sacred from that moment.

How does the Church address difficult situations surrounding abortion?

While the Church acknowledges that some situations surrounding abortion are extremely difficult, it upholds the sanctity of life. The Church does not condemn individuals but aims to shed light on the importance of life and its sacredness.

Why does the Church focus on the sanctity of life rather than political or personal views?

The Church's stance is not politically motivated. It aims to focus on theological principles and the sanctity of life as defined by God, rather than on political correctness or personal choices.

Does the word 'abortion' appear in Scripture?

No, the word 'abortion' does not explicitly appear in Scripture. However, the taking of innocent life is condemned in Scripture, and this principle is applied to the act of abortion.

What does Scripture say about taking innocent life?

Scripture condemns taking innocent life in passages such as Exodus 20:13, Leviticus 24:17, Matthew 26:52, and John 8:12. These verses underscore that life belongs to God and that no one should take it.

How does the Church interpret the concept of personhood?

The Church believes that personhood begins when God wills a person into existence. Life is a gift from God, and personhood is recognized from the moment God breathes life into the individual, not necessarily at birth or a specific point within the womb.

What role does Holy Tradition play in the Church's stance on abortion?

Holy Tradition plays a significant role, as it includes teachings from the Fathers of the Church and early Christian writings. For example, the Didache and writings of Saint Basil the Great clearly condemn abortion, showing that the Church has upheld this stance since its early days.

What is the Didache's position on abortion?

The Didache, an early Christian text from the first century, explicitly condemns abortion, stating 'You shall not procure an abortion nor destroy a newborn child.' This reflects the Church's early and continuous stance on the sanctity of life.

What does the Church believe about life in the womb?

The Church believes that life in the womb is sacred and that life begins at conception. This view is supported by Scripture, such as the passage where John the Baptist, still in the womb, leaps for joy at the presence of Jesus, showing recognition of life and personhood in the womb.

How does the Church view science's role in determining when life begins?

The Church believes that it is not up to science or the medical world to determine when life begins. Life begins when God wills it into existence, and this truth is rooted in divine will, as expressed in Scripture and Holy Tradition.