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 | Hebrew Scriptures: Exodus 21:22 is a key passage. As translated in the New International Version, this verse implies that the fetus is a human person. However, the most common interpretation of this same verse, as seen in other translations, implies that the fetus is not a human being. Other passages in the Hebrew Scriptures tend to devalue the fetus. |
| Christian Scriptures: Luke 1:41 might be interpreted to condemn abortions after fetal viability. |
The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (Old and New Testament) use the same word to refer to an unborn fetus, newborn or older child. This is a limitation of the Hebrew and Greek languages. It might be interpreted as implying that:
| Both ancient Hebrews and Pagan Greeks considered that the fetus is fully human, equivalent to a newborn child...or |
| They simply called both children and potential children by the same term, much as modern-day parents-to-be refer to a fetus as a baby. |
A case can be made that the 99% of all abortions (those which are performed prior to viability of the fetus) do not appear to be prohibited by Bible passages, as translated by most versions of the Bible.
References:
- What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?," at: http://ffrf.org/.
- Roy Bowen Ward, "Is the Fetus a person?" at:
http://www.rcrc.org/ This is a PDF file. You may require software to read it. Software can be obtained free from:
- John T. Noonan, "An Almost Absolute Value in History," in John T. Noonan, ed., "The Morality of Abortion: Legal and Historical Perspectives," Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA, (1970), Page. 6
- John Connery, S.J. "Abortion: The Development of the Roman Catholic Perspective," Loyola University Press, Chicago IL, (1977), Page. 34.
- Paul D. Simmons, "Personhood, the Bible, and the Abortion Debate," at: http://www.rcrc.org/ This is another PDF file.
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Home page > "Hot" topics > Abortion > Abortion in the Bible > here |
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or: Home page > Christianity > Bible themes > Abortion in the Bible > here |
Copyright © 1997 to 2007
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Religious Tolerance
Last update: 2007-JUL-28
Author: B.A. Robinson
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