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Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 1:09:33 AM
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His_4_Ever
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Forty-three percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% as Catholic. This leads me to believe most Christian women really don't know what they would do if they had an unwanted pregnancy until they're actually in the situation themselves.
These kind of statistics make me think when it actually comes down to dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, Christian women really don't deal with it any differently than non-christian women.
Do you have any other thoughts?
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 1:17:46 AM
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Jhud
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Considering nearly 80% of Americans identify themselves as some sort of Christian, I would be really suprised if the statistics were any different. I am not sure what this tells us about 'Christian' women per se.
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I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
- C.S. Lewis
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 8:11:54 AM
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SonInMe1
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Guess we know why christians voted for Obama...eh?
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James 4:4
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 8:34:26 AM
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floydette
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Christian women are not immune to living in our culture. And, there is another area where Christian women must contend that those who not in the body of Christ do not - the reaction of your church if you do get pregnant before marriage. While in society it is far less of a big deal that in was 30 years ago, it is still a big deal in the church. We may say we will love "those people", but in reality it would be very hard to walk through the doors of a church and receive "the look." That is an enormous amount of pressure. There is an enormous amount of pressure to "behave" a certain way. (Evidenced by the amazing (and sad) amount of threads that ask if a certain behavior is ok or not in this forum) This is a behavior that can not be hidden. But it can be "taken care of." I believe if the statistics about Christiam women having abortions is correct, we probably have no one to blame but ourselves.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 9:06:48 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 5771
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quote:
ORIGINAL: floydette
Christian women are not immune to living in our culture. And, there is another area where Christian women must contend that those who not in the body of Christ do not - the reaction of your church if you do get pregnant before marriage. While in society it is far less of a big deal that in was 30 years ago, it is still a big deal in the church. We may say we will love "those people", but in reality it would be very hard to walk through the doors of a church and receive "the look." That is an enormous amount of pressure. There is an enormous amount of pressure to "behave" a certain way. (Evidenced by the amazing (and sad) amount of threads that ask if a certain behavior is ok or not in this forum) This is a behavior that can not be hidden. But it can be "taken care of." I believe if the statistics about Christiam women having abortions is correct, we probably have no one to blame but ourselves.
I juct cannot wrap my head around the above as a viable excuse to commit murder.
Thanks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 9:21:59 AM
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manda59
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quote:
ORIGINAL: His_4_Ever
Forty-three percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% as Catholic.
Could you tell me your source for this stat please?
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 9:39:35 AM
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floydette
Posts: 1087
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: floydette
Christian women are not immune to living in our culture. And, there is another area where Christian women must contend that those who not in the body of Christ do not - the reaction of your church if you do get pregnant before marriage. While in society it is far less of a big deal that in was 30 years ago, it is still a big deal in the church. We may say we will love "those people", but in reality it would be very hard to walk through the doors of a church and receive "the look." That is an enormous amount of pressure. There is an enormous amount of pressure to "behave" a certain way. (Evidenced by the amazing (and sad) amount of threads that ask if a certain behavior is ok or not in this forum) This is a behavior that can not be hidden. But it can be "taken care of." I believe if the statistics about Christiam women having abortions is correct, we probably have no one to blame but ourselves.
I juct cannot wrap my head around the above as a viable excuse to commit murder.
Thanks
RC
I don't think that people in this type of situation consider it murder. When we are under lots of stress (which an unplanned pregnancy would bring - along with the "what will people think) we do not work out of the "thinking" part of our brain. We work out of the reactive part of the brain. The reactive part of the brain is our "survival mode". So, we choose the automatic response of survival (which in this case could be an abortion) rather than have the ability to actually think about what we are doing, or consider the consequences.
There is also the part where people who are pro-choice tend to define when life starts differently than people who fall on the pro-life side. But, I imagine that has been argued to death in the abortion threads.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 9:47:40 AM
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Szaftoo
Posts: 795
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quote:
ORIGINAL: His_4_Ever
Forty-three percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% as Catholic. This leads me to believe most Christian women really don't know what they would do if they had an unwanted pregnancy until they're actually in the situation themselves.
These kind of statistics make me think when it actually comes down to dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, Christian women really don't deal with it any differently than non-christian women.
Claiming to be Protestant or Catholic does not make a person a Christian.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 10:56:40 AM
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Sideways
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I agree that many churches actually put pressure on a woman to have an abortion by the cruel way they treat unmarried mothers. Even if she is doing the right thing by facing up to the consequences of her actions (either by keeping the child or by adoption), there is no end to the ostracism, the dirty looks, the whispered glances and the second-rate treatment.
There's been several threads here about whether or not a unmarried woman should receive a baby shower for crying out loud, because it would send the wrong message. These same women are told to stand in front of the church and confess and publicly ask the church for forgiveness. They must relinquish any position they held in the church, and they are to be considered lucky if they can even keep their membership. Why they would want to is beyond me.
Does this justify murder? No.
Is the church innocent in the child's murder? No.
The church has a responsibility to reach out to the woman with love and support, so that finishing the pregnancy is the easier thing to do, not the much, much harder thing to do.
My mom counsels women who are unmarried and pregnant. She does it with a firm Christian conviction of what is right and what is wrong. She is not wishy, washy on her moral values. But she offers these women love, godly advice, practical help and a safe haven when they feel they are alone with no where to turn. My mom represents how the church should act, but often does not.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 11:56:50 AM
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GraceyGirl
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This is an incredibly volatile subject.
Whether or not the woman receiving an abortion is a Christian should not be the issue here. The issue needs to be to how are we as Christian's reaching these women?
Christian women are not somehow immune to making poor choices, and they are not somehow more deserving of forgiveness for those choices either. I have seen how critically the church will judge a brother, but I also notice how the church offers forgiveness for the sheep within the fold much more quickly than they offer it to sheep who want to JOIN the fold.
Something I would say to these Pharisees who want unmarried, pregnant women to stand up, confess their crimes publicly and relinquish GOD ORDAINED appointments is this: why is she being held accountable for her sin, and not the father? Why is this sin somehow different from your own sin of gluttony, envy, lust, speeding, driving without a seat belt? Sex outside of marriage is NO WORSE than any other sin known to man. We need get off this kick of considering ourselves worthy to pass judgment and start practicing what the Lord spoke in Micah - Act justly, LOVE MERCY, and walk HUMBLY with God.
Speaking to the abortion issue all I can offer is this. Abortion destroys lives. Not only the unborn but also the life of the mother. If we as Christians are to be life speakers, life keepers, and truly "pro life" then we must be for life of all kind - even when that life is a mother who sins. Righteous justice demonstrations have not reformed our people. It never has, since biblical times. That is why God sent His son into the world; for love. Pro life means pro love. Love LIFE. All life.
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All I want is You ~All I crave is You
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 12:28:52 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: floydette
The reactive part of the brain is our "survival mode". So, we choose the automatic response of survival (which in this case could be an abortion) rather than have the ability to actually think about what we are doing, or consider the consequences.
Survival mode or selfish mode?
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 12:30:20 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
I agree that many churches actually put pressure on a woman to have an abortion by the cruel way they treat unmarried mothers. Even if she is doing the right thing by facing up to the consequences of her actions (either by keeping the child or by adoption), there is no end to the ostracism, the dirty looks, the whispered glances and the second-rate treatment.
My goodness, you folks must be hanging around some really strange Churches.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 12:39:26 PM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8632
Joined: 1/25/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
I agree that many churches actually put pressure on a woman to have an abortion by the cruel way they treat unmarried mothers. Even if she is doing the right thing by facing up to the consequences of her actions (either by keeping the child or by adoption), there is no end to the ostracism, the dirty looks, the whispered glances and the second-rate treatment.
My goodness, you folks must be hanging around some really strange Churches.
Thanks
RC
That may be true but that doesn't change the fact that it happens. I was pregnant as a result of rape and STILL people whispered behind my back, gave me dirty looks, and judged me. After the church found out I was pregnant it was determined that I didn't need to help with the middle school girls anymore because I wasn't 'a good example'.
The church I attended for youth completely rejected me and even though I was hospitalised multiple times they didn't have any thing to do with me.
These churches exist and sticking our head in the sand and pretending they don't is just as harmful.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 1:26:13 PM
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IMA_CHRISTIAN
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_
quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
I agree that many churches actually put pressure on a woman to have an abortion by the cruel way they treat unmarried mothers. Even if she is doing the right thing by facing up to the consequences of her actions (either by keeping the child or by adoption), there is no end to the ostracism, the dirty looks, the whispered glances and the second-rate treatment.
My goodness, you folks must be hanging around some really strange Churches.
Thanks
RC
That may be true but that doesn't change the fact that it happens. I was pregnant as a result of rape and STILL people whispered behind my back, gave me dirty looks, and judged me. After the church found out I was pregnant it was determined that I didn't need to help with the middle school girls anymore because I wasn't 'a good example'.
The church I attended for youth completely rejected me and even though I was hospitalised multiple times they didn't have any thing to do with me.
These churches exist and sticking our head in the sand and pretending they don't is just as harmful.
Their hate for you was a WORSE thing than anything you were a victim of.
thats ok, it may be God showed you what kind of heart these people did not have.. and well, the only thing i can think of is that many good God-fearing peopel were martryd for just beleiving and preaching the gospel way back in the 1500's with Tyndale, Wycliffe, and John Hus. they were cast into jail just for standing up for Bible truth.. John Hus stayed in prison 8 months ,, his friends feared he was just rotting away.. But God used that for his glory.. Take heart when people persecute you ,,,, know that Jesus is there as your advocate.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 2:01:26 PM
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floydette
Posts: 1087
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
quote:
ORIGINAL: floydette
The reactive part of the brain is our "survival mode". So, we choose the automatic response of survival (which in this case could be an abortion) rather than have the ability to actually think about what we are doing, or consider the consequences.
Survival mode or selfish mode?
Thanks
RC
yep
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“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Henri Bergson
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 2:59:58 PM
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His_4_Ever
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
quote:
ORIGINAL: His_4_Ever
Forty-three percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% as Catholic.
Could you tell me your source for this stat please?
Of course, I should have put a link in my original post.
Abortion Statistics
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 3:04:22 PM
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His_4_Ever
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Szaftoo
quote:
ORIGINAL: His_4_Ever
Forty-three percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% as Catholic. This leads me to believe most Christian women really don't know what they would do if they had an unwanted pregnancy until they're actually in the situation themselves.
These kind of statistics make me think when it actually comes down to dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, Christian women really don't deal with it any differently than non-christian women.
Claiming to be Protestant or Catholic does not make a person a Christian.
Can you prove otherwise, that these women are not Christian?
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 3:09:11 PM
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doinkdom
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HighPlainsDrifter
Why are so many unmarried Christian men getting Christian women pregnant?
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 3:19:46 PM
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His_4_Ever
Posts: 599
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
The church has a responsibility to reach out to the woman with love and support, so that finishing the pregnancy is the easier thing to do, not the much, much harder thing to do.
I agree, since it's the Church telling these women and girls abortion is murder and they should have their babies. Not only that, but undue stress placed on the pregnant girl or woman could also lead to a miscarriage. If the woman or girl asks for forgiveness and repents, she should be welcomed lovingly back into the fold. The turmoil going on inside her is probably more punishment than any congregation could do to her.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 3:46:47 PM
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His_4_Ever
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I see the following as a possible scenario too.
Girls are brought up to believe they will marry Prince Charming and live happily ever after. When girls are in their teens and dating the guy they think is Prince Charming, you know the first love of lives, they tend to become blinded. The reasoning part of their brains is not fully developed yet causing them to think that the relationship they are in is the most important thing in their lives. They can't imagine life without this guy. When this guy tells them "if you loved me you would," many of these young girls are terrified they'll lose there boyfriends if they don't have sex. They're to young to realize or think about the future, they can only think about the here and now. Some teen girls have even killed to maintain these relationships. Then they end up pregnant, the boy leaves them and they're all alone. They're scared and don't know what to do. Some will tell their parents, but most will not. Some will carry the child and give it up for adoption. Others will get an abortion because they're scared and terrified their parents will find out they're pregnant. Some will want to have their baby and want to keep it, because the thought of giving their baby away is too much to bear. Unfortunately, they don't have the resources to support a child, so they come to the conclusion having an abortion is the least painful option emotionally. Then there are those who hide their pregnancies from everyone. They deliver their babies, but are to afraid to tell anyone. So they either kill the newborn themselves, leave it somewhere where it will die or put it where it will be found. Abortion is not a fly by night decision for these girls. They might know abortion is wrong but fear drives them to do the unimaginable.
I would wager these are very sad, but true situations.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 3:53:28 PM
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His_4_Ever
Posts: 599
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From: Idaho
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Here are some common myths concerning abortion from the National Abortion Federation.
MYTH: Women are using abortion as a method of birth control.
In fact, half of all women getting abortions report that contraception was used during the month they became pregnant.1 Some of these couples had used the method improperly; some had forgotten or neglected to use it on the particular occasion they conceived; and some had used a contraceptive that failed. No contraceptive method prevents pregnancy 100% of the time.
If abortion were used as a primary method of birth control, a typical woman would have at least two or three pregnancies per year - 30 or more during her lifetime. In fact, most women who have abortions have had no previous abortions (52%) or only one previous abortion (26%).5 Considering that most women are fertile for over 30 years, and that birth control is not perfect, the likelihood of having one or two unintended pregnancies is very high.
MYTH: Women have abortions for selfish or frivolous reasons.
The decision to have an abortion is rarely simple. Most women base their decision on several factors, the most common being lack of money and/or unreadiness to start or expand their families due to existing responsibilities. Many feel that the most responsible course of action is to wait until their situation is more suited to childrearing; 66% plan to have children when they are older, financially able to provide necessities for them, and/or in a supportive relationship with a partner so their children will have two parents.8 Others wanted to get pregnant but developed serious medical problems, learned that the fetus had severe abnormalities, or experienced some other personal crisis. About 13,000 women each year have abortions because they have become pregnant as a result of rape or incest.1
MYTH: Women are often forced into having abortions they do not really want.
Some women say that pressure from a husband, partner, or parent was one of several reasons they chose abortion, but only about 1% give that reason as the "most important" one in making their decision.9 Conversely, some women who do not want to continue their pregnancies are pressured to do so by family members, friends, or fear of social stigma. Pre-abortion options counseling is designed to determine whether a woman is fully comfortable with her abortion decision, and if she is not, she is encouraged to wait until she has had a chance to consider her options more fully.
MYTH: Many women come to regret their abortions later.
Research indicates that relief is the most common emotional response following abortion, and that psychological distress appears to be greatest before, rather than after, an abortion.
There are undoubtedly some women who, in hindsight, wish that they had made different choices, and the majority would prefer never to have become pregnant when the circumstances were not right for them. When a wanted pregnancy is ended (for medical reasons, for example) women may experience a sense of loss and grief. As with any major change or decision involving loss, a crisis later in life sometimes leads to a temporary resurfacing of sad feelings surrounding the abortion. Women at risk for poor post-abortion adjustment are those who do not get the support they need, or whose abortion decisions are actively opposed by people who are important to them.10 Learn more about post-abortion issues.
Link to more info. Here National Abortion Federation
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 3:56:17 PM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8632
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
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I agree with that to an extent, His_4_Ever.
If a parent is doing his/ job as a parent, he won't allow his daughter to have such wild, ideals. He will teach her to respect herself, respect her body and to expect EVERYone around her to respect her as well.
He will teach her why Christ commands us to wait until marriage.
And if a mistake happens he will love her, and tell her that yes she did mess up, and yes she needs to repent, but he will support her with every decision she makes EXCEPT abortion and give her reasons why.
He will also not be tolerant of those who do talk behind her back, he will support her in public and church, and he will make sure that she is surrounded by people who care about her and love her.
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RE: Why are so many Christian women getting abortions? - 12/4/2008 4:02:12 PM
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stellaluna
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quote:
MYTH: Women have abortions for selfish or frivolous reasons.
The decision to have an abortion is rarely simple. Most women base their decision on several factors, the most common being lack of money and/or unreadiness to start or expand their families due to existing responsibilities.
The explanation for that "myth" only confirms that myth.
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