Aborto: Consideracoes Espirituais Portuguese

Fetus photo: Ed Uthman, MD	Fetus photo: Bill Davenport.

  "Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing." Hebrew King David (1000 B.C.)

Is an embryo a life? Does life begin at birth? Or, as the Chinese religions teach, at conception? King David wrote poetically in the Psalms, "My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was woven in the lowest part of the earth. Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book, all its parts were down in writing." Psalms 139:14-16. The ancient Hebrew view was that life began at conception. Jeremiah was a prophet who also stated that God knew him even in the womb. Jeremiah 1:5.

There is scientific evidence that this is the case. A baby can remember songs he has heard in the womb, from as early as 3-4 months. A fetus recoils at a needle, feeling sense of touch and pain, at 4 months. All of the genetic code of an embryo is present even at conception, before the zygote becomes a fetus. The Chinese count their age from the time of conception rather than the time of birth.

Many women and men experience guilt as a result of having an abortion, sometimes for years to come. Going to a therapist and talking things out can be of help. One's relationship with God and working things out spiritually are of utmost value.

If one feels guilt or has suppressed memories, or tends to block God out of his or her life as a result of having an abortion, open communication with God about the specific situation is of value.
 
Our view of God is of importance. Do we view God as a harsh, unforgiving master, or a kind-hearted and merciful father. This second view is what we need to develop in our understanding of God. With that in mind, we need not have morbid fear of God, but rather seek always the love, help and forgiveness that all of us need. This can help any of us leave the past behind and go forward. Picturing God as the Keeper or Assigner of a fiery hell, is both morbid and unrealistic.

Also we can ask ourselves, how does God feel about abortion? This can help us look to the future in making wise decisions that will result in our happiness.

From a religious aspect of life if we realize that if we talk to God, we can openly confess sins to God and to each other, if we humbly pray for help, then we can recover from guilt or depression that might be associated with having an abortion or any other transgression that we may have been guilty of.

The Apostle John, one of the twelve with Jesus at the Lord's Supper and the one who is referred to as Jesus' closest friend wrote simply, "God is love." If this is an accurate picture of God's personality it draws us to the Almighty even when we are hurt do to our own mistakes in life.
Psalm 103:7-10 is a beautiful scripture to meditate on.

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Abortion Help References:

Abortion 'leaves mental legacy', (December 12, 2005). BBC News.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4520576.stm Off-site link

Harmon, A., May 9, 2007. Prenatal Test Puts Down Syndrome in Hard Focus. New York Times. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/us/09down.htmlOff-site link

Kalish, S., May/June 2004. Psychology Today.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20040625-000001.htmlOff-site link

NJ Supreme Court Strikes Down Parental Notification for Abortion Act, (August 15, 2000). ACLU.
http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/njsupremecourtstrikesdownp.htmOff-site link

Statistics in Adolescent Pregancy. (Retrieved October 5, 2008). Teen Shelter Org.
Off-site link