Posted on November 7, 2008 - by Stephen Murray
Politics Clouds the Issue of Abortion
In the midst of Obamamania I’ve been reflecting on the one area I differ most with the new president-elect: the issue of abortion. It’s quite clear to me that particularly in America, but here in South Africa too, mainly as the result of American politics abortion has become so entangled with conservative political ideals that Christians fail to really take in or adequately respond to the horror of the murder of unborn children. I think its a desperate tragedy that we’ve allowed politics to numb us toward this massive issue.
I think this is causing a lot of younger evangelicals who are far more liberal politically than a previous generation (like myself) to not take the issue of abortion seriously. A new emerging church in the west needs to correct the abuses and incorrect emphases of the past but it must never stop being the advocate of justice for the unborn. Throw your politics out the window and vest your energy into caring about the people because they are created in God’s image and are his.
8 Comments
We'd love to hear yours!
Leave a Reply
Here's your chance to speak.
Stephen Murray
Christian, husband to my beautiful Robin, missional dreamer, pastor, church planter, Arsenal, Sharks and Springbok supporter, surfer (in the real sea), patriotic South African, Capetonian. Find out more about the church planting work I'm involved in at my support blog.
Visit My Website
November 7, 2008
Permalink
greatchristianmovies.com said:
You’re on to something there,
abortion is a very serious issue and should not be taken lightly.
http://www.greatchristianmovies.com
Visit My Website
November 7, 2008
Permalink
cpacek said:
I believe that you are on the right track (no pun intended). Something you said bothers me with what you said and this is my problem with Obama. “A church in the west” should do something. Well YOU do something if you feel that strongly about it. I don’t know the first thing about South Africa I’m just not that knowledgeble about their government. Obama is going to make this and other countries weaker because he has most of this country believing the government is the answer and not the people.
Visit My Website
November 7, 2008
Permalink
Stephen said:
When I said ‘West’ I meant South Africa too which includes ME.
Visit My Website
November 7, 2008
Permalink
Frank said:
Stephen,
I completely agree. Have you read this:
http://www.lifewatch.org/abortion.html
Well worth the time (it is long). I was given it earlier this week, and it was a great help to me.
Visit My Website
November 7, 2008
Permalink
Mike said:
Thanks for being willing to bring this up. “Abortion” is too nice of a word for infanticide that numbs us to its grotesque reality. We must make it more than an “issue” in the political realm and understand it is a kingdom issue!
Mike
Visit My Website
November 7, 2008
Permalink
Chris Ebden said:
I agree Stephen. I was thinking about this on the way to College this morning. I was thinking back to times when Slavery was not abolished. Many Christians just ignored that issue in those days. We look back and ask questions like “how could they not have done anything?”
I think abortion is even easier to overlook because we do not see the affects directly today. The children have no voice. I think we as Christians should begin praying about this and acting on those prayers in a more urgent manner.
Visit My Website
November 9, 2008
Permalink
Steve said:
The problem is that people seem to either go overboard about it, or else ignore it altogether.
Visit My Website
November 9, 2008
Permalink
Thomas said:
I think we do see both causes and effects in the pastoral situation. It’s not merely a juridical or ethical issue.