Then God said, "Let Us make man
in Our own image, according to
Our likeness; let them have dominion over
the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air,
and over the cattle, over all the earth
and over every creeping thing that
creeps on the earth."
So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
It was the Platonism and Neoplatonism that in their dualistic philosophy has led to the abhorrent practice of abortion. It was this philosophy of such men as Plato and Plontius whereby the Gnostics developed much of their religious ideas, that the world is bad and the good is in heaven, that Satan and Jesus were brothers and that there must be some hidden knowledge to be able to know anything about God. The ideology that there were many gods, and that the gods could war with one another and that man was only a figuration of what was real in heaven, therefore, death would only be a way to release the soul back to where it came. This may not be what abortionists teach and believe but it is from where such ideas that life can only begin when the fetus is viable. From an essay for my new website: when it gets up and running, is on doctrine subjects and abortion is on the mind of everyone at this time when the 40 year anniversary of Roe vs. Wade occurs that I turn my attention on this subject.
Historical events that have been recorded and have concrete
evidence to support their truth in fact stand in difference and are opposed to
events that are abstract and non-verifiable. Examples are such as the recorded
events of the Punic Wars which have multiple sources as to actual events of
such wars and concrete archeological evidences. Abstract evidences are such as
Homer’s Illiad which speak of wars, gods, places without any concrete
evidence to support them as factual. Concrete historical events present
evidence that can be examined and dissected giving rises to our knowledge of
those facts and how they pertain to our present age. To be able to investigate
properly it is important to understand the language pertaining to the time of the
event and as to whether or not the definition of words are the same in sense
and in use today or have changed so that there may be an understanding that
will lead to a truthful end. Therefore, it is appertain that words of
importance be defined both in their historical understanding and as to any
change in this present age; this is what will be done in our examination of
doctrinal subjects that pertain to the Christian Bible. By defining words and
understanding them both historically and in the present age will keep readers
on the same page and not mislead any to an understanding that is not Authentic
Biblical Truth. Furthermore, knowledge of all changes, if there are any, will
aid a person to apprehend as to whether or not any change in the meaning, use,
or sense, of words are apropos as applied to this present age and purpose. As
we embark on such an excursion there will be some trepidation as the safe
shores of our present understanding are left behind and new worlds, worlds of
new knowledge, mental travel that never before had been traveled as we traverse
this new world as though moving from one island of knowledge to another each
time adding to our understanding and becoming efficacious as our questions are
answered; those questions that lay hidden and not exposed to examination. There
is a sense of safety in ignorance, a person may cry, “I don’t know, or it can’t
be known.” A person may remain apathetic and choose not to step out into this
new world of knowledge only to be left alone to enjoy what they know; this
without their feathers being ruffled, a sense of peace, such blissful
ignorance. Yet, is this effete leading a person to the truth, to Authentic
Biblical Faith? Or, is this a
“cop-out?”
Refusal to
engage in any discussion of the doctrines or beliefs that confront a person is
a choice that must be allowed, but this choice is not in a vacuum for there
are, or will be, times in which the mind thinks upon such things. One such
doctrine that confronts an individual is, the doctrine of life; when does life
begin, and do men, or women, have the right to choose when life begins and when
it is an appropriate decision to end a life, inutero, or even after birth, it
is especially introduced to us in the debate with regard to capital punishment.
This debate of life is multi–faceted and involves a close association with
other doctrines. With this doctrine there is the doctrine of the soul as it has
import on the debate of abortion. It will be shown how this doctrine of the
soul applies to the debate on abortion, and the practice of abortion. The
debate on this subject is not a new debate for it is found in the most ancient
of writings. No matter the age of any manuscripts that contain examples of
abortion practices, all will have implication as to any understanding of life.
The doctrine of life is associated with the subject and practice of abortion
which is the thrust of this essay (the debate on capital punishment will be
left for further essays). Therefore, there must be a definition for life, one
that is universally accepted, yet often possibly not applied. The definition of
life may be understood universally but not applied as defined. There will be
found that any definition as applied to life, or abortion is conjoined to
theology; a person’s view of God. This view of God may be monotheistic,
polytheistic, Atheistic, or even agnostic, but whatever the view is it is this
view that is the guiding force to any application in regards to action. The
formula: what one believes becomes a person’s theology, and that theology
becomes a person’s religion, finally, this religion determines a person’s
character, and that character determines a person’s action. As can be seen by
this formula it is important to have the correct belief if one is to act
truthfully towards themselves or others. It is improper to assume that what a
person believes is the truth if there is not investigation as every action
carries a consequence. It is this knowledge, a knowledge of truth that will
constitute who a person is, whether or not they are a honest person or just an
ego-centric person with little or no regard for others. It is, then, important
to ascertain the truth.
Upon the
presentation of adequate evidence a person is persuaded what is true or is not
true. It is important that historical facts are not just chronologically
arranged without an understanding of the laws by which those facts exist. It is
the knowing of these facts that leads to understanding the “why” events
occurred and their casual relations. By absolute laws scientist can determine
the present and with some certainty the future, as with an astronomer who can
tell the positions of stars and planets for centuries to come. With certainty
of the laws of physics a person knows (that is, if they have had some
instruction) the effects of mixing vinegar and baking soda; there will be an
explosion and overflow of liquid. Knowing the facts is important as they are
adequate evidence of events that occurred. It is just as important to know the
internal relation of those facts and how they are related to ideologies and
theologies causing a people to act one way or another. Societies may change,
either by governmental control, or religions. It is then most important to know
why the change and why the absolute laws are not always adhered too. There have
been several paradigm shifts in societies, nations, and with people
individually, yet upon examination there is still to be found the same
attitudes that are governing people; i.e., greed, self-entitlement, etc.. It
must be admitted; times have changed but not the person, they still are people
with the same attitudes. Science and technology may have reached a high
pinnacle of acceptance, but the same acts between people occur and for the same
reasons.
The debate
over abortion and the “right to life” movements are not a new argument that has
come to existence in the last several hundred years. In fact, abortion and the
debate over abortion have a long history, as long as there has been man on
earth, ancient manuscripts give proof of this fact. Abortion is the practice of
termination of a pregnancy so that the fetus is dead before birth. There are
and have been several methods in the administration for abortive termination of
pregnancy; abortifacient herbs, instruments, applying abdominal pressure, and
other techniques. The earliest evidence of abortion prior to the 5th
century often reflects an interest in social classes and castes. In 1760 B.C.
the Code of Hammurabi[1]
lists fines for a miscarriage through an assault on a pregnant women. The laws
of India show a concern for the protection of the male seed. This for the three
upper castes, and gives various penances for the one who provided an abortion.[2]
This can be found in the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. This can
also be found in the Smriti laws which came to refer particularly to the texts
relating to law and social conduct. The Assyrian Law Cod of Assura (c. 1075
B.C.) imposes a fine(s) on a woman who has an abortion against her husband’s
wishes is death.[3] The Egyptian
Ebers Papyrus (1559 B.C.) is the earliest recorded evidence of induced
abortion.[4]
Archeological finds have produced evidence that were employed by many ancient
cultures that included many non–surgical procedures; .i.e., strenuous labor,
climbing, paddling, weightlifting, diving, fasting, bloodletting, pouring how
water onto the abdomen, even lying on heated coconut shells.[5]
There have been archeological fins that have discovered early use of
obstetrical methods of surgical attempts to extract the fetus.[6]
Ancient Chinese records report that abortion was used among the royal
concubines (515–500 B.C.), along with the use of mercury to procure an
extraction, or abortion of a fetus.[7],[8]
Greece has a history of abortion that can be found evidenced in some of their
early classical texts. Abortion procedures in Greece were assigned mostly to
mid–wives, or those who well educated in abortion procedures. Plato, in his Theaetetus
makes mention of this fact that it was a midwifes ability to induce abortion in
the early stages of pregnancy.[9],[10] While abortion was practiced in Greece the
city of Athens forbid abortion as a crime against the husband, that is if he
husband had died for the unborn child would be heir to his estate.[11]
It is most interesting that the Stoics a form of Greek philosophy from the 3rd
century B.C. taught such things that errors in judgment were from destructive
emotions. Stoics dealt with relationships that would be formed from determinism
and human freedom and believed that it is virtuous to maintain a will that is
in harmony with nature. This led to a philosophy that it was what the person
said, but how he behaved.[12]
Stoic in their philosophy in regards to nature taught that the fetus was a
plantlike at least in nature and did not become an animal until birth when it
then breathed air. They then found abortion to be an acceptable procedure.[13].[14].
this argument in favor of abortion is still used today by many that life begins
at birth and not conception.
Before
moving on in this discussion on abortion as to its historicity there must be
addressed this important question raised by the Stoics and exists in our
present age. The question is: “When does life begin?” in general there are two
views: Pro-lifers generally belief life begins at fertilization. So pro-choicers
generally believe no, it doesn’t. Medical experts have argued and debated this
question for centuries and are still debating the question today so it would be
proper to give what some medical experts believe. In the abstract from the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) a committee on
ethics supports the use of embryos in research due to the promise of somatic
(physicality of the body, i.e., muscles, and not the inner organs) that they
believe will become differentiated into various tissues, organs, etc.; not
including sexual reproductive cells[15]
This committee recommended to use only cryopreserved (a process where cells
or whole tissues are preserved by cooling to sub-zero temperatures,
typically 77 K (= −196 °C, the boiling point of liquid
nitrogen; for embryos they must have already divided into 2 to 8
cells; this procedure is cold enough to inhibit the process of death). embryos
that were fertilized within 14 days. The question that scientist have before
them is when does an embryo become a human being. The ACOG ( I only had the
abstract and this is not mentioned in any of the Abstracts) that the embryo
cannot live outside the uterus and become a human being. This would be true
from any angle that one wants to examine this fact. It requires blood for the
cell to live and grow and mature and it cannot do this in a petri dish. A
zygote, or an embryo can only be maintained and revived into a life by
cryogenics. It is the theory of Pro–lifers that the zygote is a human being
from fertilization and in this zygotic stage it does not have personhood, but
is in a stage of development. Those who hold to the theory that life begins at
birth refuse to engage in this debate as does Diana Philip, of the National
Coalition of Abortion Providers, and its associate organization Abortion
Conversation Project. This group, and Diana Philip maintain that it is not
their business to determine when life begins, that it is the business for each
“patient” to determine with their value system as to the definition of life and
this definition lies within that person’s heart.[16]
The question before people, scientists, pro–lifers, and pro–choice people is
this: “Do we know when human life begins?” Yet this question is answered by all
scientists: life begins at fertilization; this is not disputed. Then the better
question that is plaguing people and the ensuing debate is: When does an embryo
become a human being.
Argument: YES, any
biologist in the world can tell you when life begins. At fertilization!
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you,
but rather rejoice because your names
are written in heaven.
Luke 10:29
Pray that your life is a witness for Jesus Christ
Richard L. Crumb
[1]
The Code of
Hammurabi, Sec. 209–212; Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 2, 2013
[2]
ABORTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF EASTERN RELIGIONS:
HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM Constantin-Iulian Damian, Romanian Journal of Bioethics,
Vol. 8, No. 1, January – March 2010
[eng.bioetica.ro/atdoc/RRBv8n1_2010_Damian_EN.pdf]; Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4
January 2, 2013
[3]
Ancient History Sourcebook: The Code of the Assura,
c. 1075 BCE; Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 2, 2013
[4]
Potts, Malcolm; Martha Campbell (2002).
[http://big.berkeley.edu/ifplp.history.pdf "History of
Contraception"] (PDF). Gynecology and Obstetrics 6 (8). Retrieved 2008-09-21.[dead link]Potts, Malcolm; Martha Campbell (2009). "History
of Contraception". Glob. libr. women's med.. doi:10.3843/GLOWM.10376. ISSN 1756-2228. Retrieved 2011-09-07; Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 2, 2013
[5]
Devereux, G (1967). "A typological study of abortion
in 350 primitive, ancient, and pre-industrial societies". In
Harold Rosen. Abortion in America: Medical, psychiatric, legal, anthropological,
and religious considerations. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press.
OCLC 187445. Retrieved 2008-09-21. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 3, 2013
[6]
Doerfler, Stephanie. "Abortion". Retrieved 2008-12-10. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 2, 2013
[7]
Glenc, F (November 1974). "[Induced abortion—a
historical outline]" (in Polish). Polski Tygodnik Lekarski 29
(45): 1957–8. PMID 4610534. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 2, 2013
[8]
Tietze, Christopher; Sarah Lewit (January 1969).
"Abortion". Scientific American 220 (1): 21–7. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0169-21.
PMID 5812425. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-4;
January 2, 2013
[9]
Depierri, Kate P. (March 1968). "One Way of
Unearthing the Past". The American Journal of Nursing (Lippincott
Williams &) 68 (3): 521–524. doi:10.2307/3453443. JSTOR 3453443. PMID 4865614.Retieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-past-13;
January 4, 2013
[10]
Plato (1921) [c. 369 BC]. "149d."
Theaetetus. in Harold North Fowler. Plato
in Twelve Volumes. 12. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Retieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-past-13;
January 4, 2013
[11]
Sallares, J. Robert (2003), "abortion", The
Oxford Classical Dictionary (3rd ed.), Oxford: OxfordUP, pp. 1, ISBN 978-0-19-860641-3. Retieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-past-13;
January 4, 2013
[12] Sellars, John. Stoicism, p. 32. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism#cite_note-2.
January 4, 2013
[13]
Sallares, J. Robert (2003), "abortion", The
Oxford Classical Dictionary (3rd ed.), Oxford: OxfordUP, pp. 1, ISBN 978-0-19-860641-3.
Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-OCD-16
January 4, 2013
[14]
Long, George (1870). "Abortio".
In William Smith. Dictionary of Greek and Roman
Antiquities. 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. pp. 2. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_abortion#cite_note-OCD-17
January 4, 2013
[15] Webster’s
Dictionary, random House, New York, New York, 1997.
[16]
My Family Doctor; When Does
Life Begin? Medical Experts Debate Abortion Issue; Retrieved from: http://familydoctormag.com/sexual-health/251-when-does-life-begin-medical-experts-debate-abortion-issue.html.
January 4, 2013
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