The beginning and end of life are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While individuals have always had some degree of control over when they would die, they now have the awesome power to determine when and even whether new individuals will be born. Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life compels us to affirm that abortion is a sin. For this reason, we cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection or to facilitate medical research or treatment.
We recognize that evil exists in the world and that pregnancies may arise from acts of violence such as rape and incest. Yet, we cannot teach that it is scriptural to intentionally take the life of a child so conceived. Christ teaches to return good for evil, and God teaches that our knowledge is limited and that his thoughts are not our thoughts. It is not our place to judge the value of a life, especially from the circumstances by which it is conceived. We encourage the Church to provide nurturing ministries to those who give birth, to include counseling on the life-affirming choice of adoption.
We recognize that agonizing situations arise in which the life of the mother is jeopardized by the life of her unborn child. However, we also affirm that God-and God alone-is the source of life, both corporal and spiritual, and that it is God's province-not man's-to determine when physical life shall end. We recognize that human life growing within a woman is not only a mystery and a blessing from God, it is also unique in that, unlike other physical causes of death, surgical intervention that purposefully kills the cause is not sanctioned by God. In such situations, the search for guidance should certainly include the exploration of all that human knowledge and skill can bring to bear. But God, who is the author of all things, should be at the center of this issue. His will should be sought through pastoral and other appropriate counsel as well as through personal and intercessory prayer.
While we cannot condone abortion or call it anything but sin, we recognize that it is our nature to sin and that even the path of sanctification is cobbled with worldly patterns and the desires of the flesh. While Scripture teaches that grace does not increase with an increase in sin, and that sin, while forgiven, still has consequences, it also teaches that none can cast the first stone. In Micah 6:8, God calls us to act justly-and we here attempt to do so-but He also calls us to love mercy-and we here affirm it. All have fallen short of the glory of God; and being called to love one another, we must do so mindful of this state we share. Ultimately, we are called to be conformed to the image of Christ, who loved us even unto death upon a cross, given of and from God, who loved us while we were yet sinners. We call for the Church to provide nurturing ministries to those who terminate a pregnancy.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22313-CS-71-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference