Would a Christian couple have an abortion if the foetus had severe deformities?

Question

Where do Christians stand on aborting severley deformed or wrongly developed babies? At what point would an abortion be acceptable in the eyes of God, if at all?

P.S. what if birth meant almost certain death for the mother?

Answer 1

I don't know the answer to this question.

Oh, sure, I have "head" answers that would seem to make sense; but I've never experienced this situation and learned wisdom from having gone through it.

I do have a child with cystic fibrosis, but his genetic illness is not recognizable except by all the medicines he takes and treatments he follows; otherwise, you would not know that he was even "sick."

So to me this is very different from a horrendously formed child with lots of physical difficulties. (Maybe we're talking spina bifida here, or multiple schlerosis, or Down's syndrome, or something worse in terms of impact.)

Obviously the "religiously correct" answer is to believe that God is in control, that everything works out for the best, that he will give strength to endure, that the child will be a blessing no matter how long he or she lives (days or years maybe).

It's one thing to make this judgment for oneself and one's own family. It's another matter to cricitize another human being when one does not have anything at stake. How on earth can I tell someone ELSE what they should do? I can encourage them, offer my support and time, pray and cry with them, share their grief, but I'll be d*mned myself if I'm going to condemn them or give them a pat answer.

That's why most answers by people to questions like this bother me. They don't see a problem with telling someone else faced with an emotionally devastating prolonged situation what they should and should not do about it.

Anyway, if I were in that situation, I would pray that I and my wife would have the strength to do whatever God told us to do. I would be begging God for mercy and understanding and peace. I would be begging for healing for my child... or at least a sense of blessing.

I have heard the stories of some parents who have pushed forward in the face of such things. Some stories end tragically, others end up transforming everyone involved in positive ways. Those stories are a testimony to God's grace and goodness in the light of what appears to be tragedy. Such experiences change us forever.

I've known people with mental deficiences who, despite not being able to communicate well, still manage to exude love and compassion for others to the best of their ability, setting examples for others to follow. Sometimes they can also be hard to deal with, due to emotional outbursts and the problems of physically caring for them.

It's not all an "inspirational Disney movie" such as we would like to portray it... but there are high and low points, and people are people, and you just take what comes at you and deal with it.

Just was reminded of my visit to the orphanage in China when we adopted our daughter... there was a whole room of babies with cleft palates, who had been abandoned because of that condition. It's easily treatable over here ($200?); over there it's devastating. Some of the children were abandoned simply because the parents knew they could not afford treatment but the government might be able to.

I remember how close I was to weeping, being in that room full of these kids -- and that one's nothing compared to some of the things we are discussing here. Again, parents must decide what they believe, and then push through no matter what, taking whatever comes along the way.

Answer 2

Do you think a severely deformed, handicapped adult would wish to live despite those handicaps? Certainly they would! So, does any person have the right to deprive another of life or decide for them if they would want to live that way? I imagine that a couple who decides to abort a child which would be handicapped are more than liking deciding to do so for selfish reasons, such as the great expense and effort raising such a child would entail. And perhaps trying to justify themselves saying, "I wouldn't want them to live a life of suffering". Unless it is the moment of giving birth and the mother is dying, then would any parent really be fair in killing that child?

Answer 3

My personal view (not the churches) is that a Chrisitian couple should decide on what to do with each other and their clergy person. It is no ones business but their's. If they should decide to abort, God would support that decision. If you consider life to be at conception then doctors support abortion everyday with birth control pills.

Answer 4

I don't think it is ever right to abort a severely deformed or wrongly developed baby. Think of it this way, would you kill a severlely deformed child?

Answer 5

It's not acceptable at all. Even if the fetus has a deformity, he is still considered a human baby who has the right to live.

Answer 6

That would really depend on the individual couple--and what form of Christianity they practice. I would imagine that good Catholics would be the toughest to abort any fetus, regardless of what might be wrong--but it could be anyone, just on their own personal opinions.

Answer 7

definitely not that little fetus has a soul.... its a life. no matter what the deformites. that is a hrd one to comprehend.. i haev thought about tings like what if my first baby was messed up.. but in no way is abortion an option. that child does not deserve the death penalty for things it cant control.it is a blessing no matter what

Answer 8

Never.

This I believe; http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm