The Bible Says Nothing About Abortion—But It Has A Lot To Say About Compassion

By HARRY KNOX - PublishedMAY 22, 2015, 12:14 PM EDT
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“These little pain-capable unborn children of God” was just one of the phrases uttered during the U.S. House of Representatives’ recent floor vote to further restrict access to abortion. As representatives passed a ban on abortions after the 20-week mark, many used their faith as a justification for their unconscionable vote.
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With the myriad ways that God was invoked on the House floor, one might reasonably assume that the Almighty had sent a gilded memorandum, replete with red letters to the Speaker of the House.
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Let’s be very clear: The Bible says nothing about abortion. Anyone who tells you otherwise is offering you their inaccurate interpretation of scripture. But let me tell you what is in the Bible: compassion. Indeed, compassion and love of neighbor are common to many faith traditions.
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We read in Zachariah that God proclaims: “Make just and faithful decisions; show kindness and compassion to each other.” Paul writes in Colossians that we ought to, "Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” And in the Quran, compassion is the most frequently used word.
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It’s simple: Our faith traditions call us to acts of justice and compassion. Yet that isn’t what anti-choice legislators are offering.
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When the 20-week ban comes before the Senate, I would urge pro-choice Senators and reproductive justice advocates to speak in the language of their faith. We do so because decisions about reproductive health and whether and under what circumstances to become a parent are among the most sacred decisions we make.
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