In 1973, the law in America changed. The States legalised abortion. And it is estimated that in the region of 50 million abortions have been performed in the US since that time. But this week, 40 years on, the issue is being as hotly contended as it was when the decision was first taken. A poll recently indicated that 54% of Americans now believe abortion should be legal and 7 out of 10 of those surveyed said they did not want the law to be changed. But, in some places at least, the tide is turning back towards a pro-life stance.
Some individual States are taking a stand and making it next to impossible for abortion clinics to function. Mississippi has just one abortion clinic left and that is struggling to survive in the face of local laws requiring such organisations to have hospital-admitting privileges. Some Americans fear - others celebrate - the fact that 4 States are down to their last clinic and may soon have none.
But what, as Christians, are we to make of this hotly debated political issue, this desperately emotive pastoral crisis that impacts so many lives? How can we enact what the Bible teaches us about the value of life on a local and a national scene while at the same time supporting those women who are in crisis pregnancy? This time last year, we ran a series on Abortion on The Good Book Blog. Here are the links. We hope they will help fuel the discussions that we know many of our readers are having with Christian and non-Christian friends this week.
Precious child or potential child?
Caring for those who have had an abortion
Helen Thorne is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She formerly worked with the London City Mission and has written Hope in an Anxious World, Purity Is Possible, Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers and 5 Things to Pray for Your City. She attends Dundonald Church in Raynes Park, London.
