The following is an edited version of the pamphlet “Action on Abortion – the Christian Witness in a Polarized Debate.” The pamphlet is available from the Committee for Contact with the Government, Council of Christian Reformed Churches in Canada, 760 Brant Street, Suite 408, P.O. Box 5070, Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Y8.
…We base our discussion on the position adopted by the 1972 Synod of the Christian Reformed Church.
– Synod affirms the unique value of all human life and the special relationship of man to God as his image-bearer.
– Synod, mindful of the sixth commandment, condemns the wanton or arbitrary destruction of any human being at any stage of its development from the point of conception to the point of death.
– Synod affirms that an induced abortion is an allowable option only when the life of the prospective mother is genuinely threatened by the continuation of the pregnancy.
Synod also adopted the following statements on the role of the believing community:
– Synod calls believers to a recognition of the need for Christian compassion and understanding accompanied by positive Christian action for the unwed pregnant girl, for families for whom the birth of another child looms as a very special burden, for those who are pregnant because of rape or incest, and for those families who already have abnormal children or who face the likelihood or possibility of having an abnormal child.
– Synod calls the churches to offer their full resources and counselling, encouraging, accepting, and material and financial support of any girl or woman faced with the burdensome reality of an unwanted pregnancy. The churches should offer their support joyfully and without recrimination in the name of Jesus Christ by whose grace we all must daily live.
– Synod declares that when a person has taken an action in regard to induced abortion which is contrary to the decisions of Synod, we should be careful to deal with such a person with loving concern rather than judgmental pronouncements.
– Synod calls believers to a ringing testimony against the evils of abortion as practiced in our society, and encourage them to promote action and legislation that reflects the teaching of Scripture.
The Role of Government
To provide a framework for considering possible government actions we offer the following guidelines.
– As the administrator of justice, the government has its own legitimate role in decisions regarding life and death. No matter whether one considers the fetus a person or not, it is a form of human life. Therefore, the government cannot abrogate its responsibility and leave the decisions to the private discussions between mothers and physicians.
– The government has a responsibility to protect human life at all stages of development. While unusual circumstances, e.g. a war, may require the termination of life, the government must operate with a presupposition in favour of preserving human life.
– In order to fulfill its responsibility to protect life, the government must ensure that the conditions which support human life exist within its boundaries….
For our part, we commit ourselves to help foster a public atmosphere which promotes life in all its fullness, which recognizes every human being as an image bearer of God, and which shows compassion for persons with responsibility for new life but without the necessary resources to develop such life.
