Discussing Abortion in a Spirit of Love, Tolerance and Acceptance
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From Luke’s Journal 2022 | Termination of Pregnancy | Vol.27 No.3
As a young medical student in India in the 1960’s, I was actively involved with the local Evangelical Union (EU). EU is the Indian counterpart of the Christian Union (CU) in Australia. In those days, when it came to ethical issues I had no doubts in my mind as to what was right and what was wrong. Every issue was clearly black or white.
As I have gotten older and my hair (or whatever is left of it) has become greyer, I have become more unsure of many things in life. Rather than being clearly black or white, many issues fall in the grey zone. God has continued teaching me lessons and an important one has been accepting people as they are. Even Christians differ in our views about many things in life, including ethical issues.
“Rather than judging or trying to change others, my role is to accept people as they are. I cannot change another human being, only God can.”
Rather than judging or trying to change others, my role is to accept people as they are. I cannot change another human being, only God can. When I accept people, God will do the work of changing, if needed.
Why am I sharing my personal journey? Abortion or Termination of Pregnancy was an ethical issue where I once had very black and white views, which have become greyer over the years.
Many of those reading this issue of Luke’s Journal may remember that abortion was an issue which nearly split our Fellowship some years ago. As a result, the topic was rarely talked or written about, due to the potential for division. It was therefore a great encouragement to me personally that the Ethics Management Team (EMT) of the CMDFA was able to publish a “Discussion Paper” on Termination of Pregnancy a couple of months ago.
“It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for us to have such a discussion as a Fellowship regarding ‘Termination of Pregnancy’. Praise God that we can do this now in a spirit of love, tolerance and acceptance.”
The overturning of the Roe v Wade decision by the US Supreme Court in June this year has led to discussions at many of our workplaces and also among the general population in Australia. It is wonderful that we are able to have a mature debate about the Issue in this edition of Luke’s Journal. Various authors from different professional backgrounds including ethicists, obstetricians, Foetal Maternal Specialist, Paediatrician, Theologian, Counsellor, GP Obstetricians and GP’s have contributed to this very interesting edition. Some contributors have answered a number of specific questions put to them while others have written their thoughts without specifically answering the questions raised.
It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for us to have such a discussion as a Fellowship regarding ‘Termination of Pregnancy’. Praise God that we can do this now in a spirit of love, tolerance and acceptance.
Some of the authors have been happy to have their names and images published while others have contributed anonymously due to the risk of a backlash from their employers, colleagues or patients.
Unfortunately, this is the reality in an increasingly “woke” and “cancel” culture we live in. How do we as Christians in health care respond to this? I was reminded in my devotional reading last night the verse from Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”.
A/Prof Kuruvilla George (KG) Kuruvilla George (KG) is a retired geriatric psychiatrist from public service in Victoria. KG is currently involved with a number of Christian organisations including being on the Board of the CMDFA. He is also the board representative on the Ethics Management Team (EMT). KG is married to Margaret and they have four children and four grandchildren.
