Why Unborn Children Have the Right to Governmental Protection
A Moral Foundation
Christians should try to persuade others of the moral right and wrong of certain actions. There are moral foundations to most of our laws. We have laws against burglary because stealing is wrong, and our culture agrees that stealing other people’s things is wrong. We have laws against murder because people agree that murder is wrong, and so there are moral standards that underlie many, if not all, of our current laws. The question is, more specifically, what should our laws be regarding the protection of an unborn child?
The Right to Persuade
Christians, as well as anyone else, have the right to attempt to persuade people in the political process that protecting the unborn child’s life is important. Just as we’re speaking now, there is a movement in several states to prohibit abortion as soon as a heartbeat can be detected or as soon as the unborn child can feel pain, which will be quite early in pregnancy. Christians are trying to persuade their representatives in the state legislatures that this unborn child should be treated as a person. There’s nothing wrong with attempting to persuade; that’s what our democratic process is about. It’s about trying to persuade others of the rightness of our position regarding laws protecting the unborn child.
What the Bible Says about Abortion, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Medical Decisions
Wayne Grudem
Wayne Grudem offers a biblical and ethical guide to controversial issues surrounding abortion and euthanasia, defining his terms clearly and exploring science, politics, and opposing arguments.
Our government was founded on the Declaration of Independence that says, all men are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That is an indication that all people have certain rights that are given by God and among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
There’s nothing wrong with attempting to persuade; that’s what our democratic process is about.
The Government’s Responsibility
If life is the first basic fundamental human right given to us by God, then the Declaration of Independence said that governments are instituted among men to secure these rights. Protecting the life of citizens within a nation is a fundamental responsibility of the government. I think it’s right for us to attempt to persuade others in our society that this developing child within the mother’s womb is a person, not yet born—but still a living person—distinct from his mother and father, and certainly deserving of governmental protection from those who would take his life.
Wayne Grudem is the author of What the Bible Says about Abortion, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Medical Decisions.
Related Articles
A lot of misinformation exists related to abortion. Here are 5 common myths that many people—pro-choice and pro-life alike—often believe.
Podcast: The Heart of the Abortion Debate (Scott Klusendorf)
Scott Klusendorf discusses abortion and the current state of the pro-life movement, highlighting the biggest mistakes pro-life people make and responding to common pro-choice arguments.
5 Questions about the Sanctity of Life
What does the Bible really teach about abortion and the sanctity of human life?
Podcast: Why Every Christian Should Care about Adoption (Russell Moore)
Russell Moore shares his own family’s adoption journey, explaining why adoption is important for all Christians—even those who never actually adopt.
