Can I get punished for driving a girl to the abortion clinic?

Question

A few months ago my best friend's 19-year-old little sister found out she was pregnant but knew she couldn't afford a baby if she wanted to. The only clinic they could find that she could afford to get an abortion was in Augusta (we live in Georgia) and that was a two and a half hour ride. About a week before their trip, the original driver broke her leg and couldn't make the trip for them. My friend came to me and asked if I would make the trip since she and her sister are horrible at directions and needed a driver. I begged her to pick someone else but she kept making excuses for the people who would have been willing to drive. I ended up giving even though I'm completely against abortion (except for the obvious reasons, like damage to the mother or child's health. That's why there's adoption) and driving all the way to Augusta. We were there for five hours and during our stay, Catholic protestors showed up praying which scared me to death. Can God punish me for driving them?

Yes, I'm a Christian and I would appreciate serious answers only.

I think the Catholic reference may have thrown some people off and I apologize. I'm a Baptist as a matter of clarification.

Answer 1

Seriously... I wouldn't worry too much sweetie. God understands everything we do, and he knows that you were just trying to do what you thought was right, and you couldn't let down a friend in need. Pray a lot; see what response you get, and repent if it seems you need to, but I assure you - the LORD understands all, and he will see why you did it, and know of your good intentions.

Answer 2

If you're a catholic then, do what is needed to do for a confession. After that, make it your firm decision not to do it again. Your fear of losing a life that must have been should overcome your fear of losing a friend. I have gone out of Catholic fold and I am no longer a Christian but abortion is something I considered a punishable crime and could get implicated unless there is a threathening life situation on both the mother and the child. The broken leg of the first driver should already have given you the sign.

Answer 3

You will likely be most punished by yourself. No, you probably should not have allowed yourself to be talked into cooperating with an act you disapprove of. You should have said you can't on personal moral grounds.

But you did and it happened. What was your justification? Pity? A desire to preserve a friendship? All those other potential drivers managed to avoid the responsibility that you took on. But it was a responsibility. You did your best after making the original mistake. You did not change your mind and abandon them after you first commited yourself.

You will find it hard to move on until you forgive yourself. Then you need to plan for the next time. Examine yourself and determine exactly what you stand for. Practice saying what you think rather than what you think people want to hear. True friends will respect a legitimate difference of opinion.

God forgives anyone who resolves to do better next time. But you also need to take steps to make yourself a stronger person or to avoid putting yourself in situations where you can be manipulated.

Answer 4

Hmmmm, I always learnt that God gave us free will, which is for each and every one of us to use at our own discretion.

I also learnt that God was not vengeful, but forgiving. I was taught that if we have sinned, but we truly repent, that God would forgive us unconditionally.

I am not sure whether you are more concerned about your fate, or the fate of the girl having the procedure done.

If you are truly worried, and I suggest you do something to try and 'repent' for what you obviously see as a conflict between your actions and beliefs. Pray. Ask God for forgiveness. Maybe join the protestors praying for the women (nb. I do NOT condone any kind of protest that is violent). Volunteer for a women's help line that counsells women who are considering abortion. Do SOMETHING to try and rectify what you obviously see as a conflict with your faith.

You helped out a friend in need, what they chose to do is their business. You can only guide people to make what you think are morally correct decisions. At the end of the day, God will see if you are truly sorry and have truly tried to repent for ANY actions that you are not happy or proud of.

God knows we all make bad decisions, that is why Jesus died on the cross, to save us from our innevitable sin.


That is only what I have learnt to believe. Good luck with your decision as to how to move forward from here. xx

Answer 5

I am a devout Christian and I am also against abortion.

Personally I probably would have refused. I would have offered them finding assistance at a Christian Pregnancy Center.

However, I do not think God will punish you for assisting a friend. Remember it was her decision. You did not perform the abortion or encourage her to have the abortion. If you do feel guilt ask for forgiveness and remember God's promise that when you confess your sins are forgiven.

You have a good heart. Pray for your friend she will need it.

Answer 6

I don't think so, but who am I to judge? You did the best you could, and I would hope that the God I know and the God you know would be merciful enough to understand.
I think the most important thing is that your friend (and her sister) knew where you stood on abortion. And of course, I would hope that God would consider that you were trying to be a friend.
But no one can tell you what God does or does not think. You'll have to ask Him. Take it to Jesus. He'll let you know if you did wrong.

Answer 7

If we pray, in the Lord's prayer, that God's will be done on earth, than we have a responsibility to promote God's will,

That being said, I think that the Catholic Protesters would accomplish more by befriending a girl in this situation and giving her care and options.

While I don't agree that you should have driven her, your friend is lucky to have you in her life so she may learn about christian love.

Answer 8

To be a sin it has to be grave in matter, Yes.

and you had to do it knowingly anyway. Yes

My OPINION is yes it was a sin, but it is up to God only to judge. I would not waste any time getting to confession! God will forgive you.

It is so nice to be Catholic!

If you are not, you might want to check into it at,

www.Catholic.com

But be there for your friend, she will need you. You don't have to condone her actions, but she will need a shoulder to lean on.

Good luck, and God Bless you, her, the Father, and the child into God's loving care.

Answer 9

You are not a Catholic? If you were you would be automatically excommunicated for this as you are assisting someone in killing a baby.

The sentence applies only to Catholics but it is based on the law of God which binds all men.

We can sin by our actions,
by our failures to act when we should,
by assisting another in their sinful act/omission,
by encouraging another to sin,
by openly approving of another's sin,
by covering up for another's sin to prevent justice.

You will find examples of all these throughout Sacred Scripture.

Answer 10

I'm a catholic so I'm also a christian and here is a christian answer.

YES! sorry but God punishes you for not being part of the soulution but part of the problem. Now I dont know what it will be or how bad beacuse heaven is for sinners, but GO TO CONFESSION!!!!!!!

and next time you are in that spot, drive them to an adoption center or emergency pregnancy center. They wont know where you are going until they see the sign (as long as they are bad at directions). God will reward you alot.