ISS:Abortion and the Law  by Tony Capoccia

   There are those in our society today that attempt to defend the
rights of the unborn child by practicing civil disobedience. These
Pro-Lifers claim to be Christians carrying out the will of God.
However, many of their actions and words seem to be in direct conflict
with the Word of God.

   The Bible is very clear on the subject when it proclaims, "Everyone
must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that
exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against
the authorities is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those
who do so will bring judgment upon themselves" (Romans 13:1-2 NIV).

   As Christians we must obey the "Laws of the Land." Ours is NOT a
Christian nation, it never was and never will be. We can expect that it
will pass laws in keeping with the wishes of the majority of the people
who are unsaved. We have laws that make pornography, gambling,
drinking, and abortion legal. These are valid "laws" of the land and
anyone who would want to change these laws must also stay within the
law. For example, it is legal in this country to demonstrate against
certain practices and laws. However, one must be sure to follow the
prescribed "laws of demonstration."

   We as Christians have no right to "break" the law in order to
protest against the law. In fact, we are only authorized to disregard
man's law when it requires that "WE" must break God's Law. For example,
if a country would pass a law stating that families could not have more
that two children and if any woman was "caught" pregnant with a third
child then she must have an abortion, then as Christians we can disobey
that law (Acts 4:18- 20). But we must be aware that when man makes a
law that would cause us to violate God's law then when we disobey it we
can fully expect to pay the consequences. If man said it was illegal to
share the Gospel of Christ in this country, then as Christians we must
violate that decree and "spread the Good News, " but be prepared to go
to prison for "breaking the law, " as the Apostles themselves did.

   The current law regarding abortion is wicked but legal. It does not
require anyone to have an abortion, but only protects the right of the
woman (at the expense of the child's rights) to have an abortion if she
wants to. Christians have no right to break the law in trying to stop
the abortions. They must "stay within the law" while demonstrating
their protests.

   Here is what I believe is the cause of the illegal protests:

   1. Most of the demonstrators are not Christians. This is evident in
the very fact that they are lawbreakers. Notice how much of the
protests lack the element of Love. God says that we must speak the
truth in Love. What a poor testimony of Christianity when protesters
scream hateful remarks to the doctors, nurses and patients involved in
the abortions.

   2. Many, if not most of the protesters would probably claim that
they are Christians but are from the Christian Cult variety, i.e.,
Catholics, Mormons, JWs, Christian Science, etc. They are blind to the
real truths of God's Word and are being used by the evil one to bring
disrespect to true Christianity.

   3. Some of the protesters are truly Christians who are simply
committing sin. They have not been taught what obedience to the
authorities is all about. For example, most Christians today do not
consider "driving over the speed limit" as disobedience to authority
and therefore sin. They see the 55 mph signs and go 60 or 63 because
they know they can "get away" with it. This is basically the same sin
as illegal protests. I have been in many Evangelical Churches that
actually joke about speeding or laugh when someone "gets a ticket."

   What should a Christian do about the sin of abortion?

   1. Pray for the doctors, nurses, and those women who are involved in
abortions. And when you pray, "Go into your room, close the door and
pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is
done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6 NIV).

   2. If you must protest publicly then do it legally and in love. Get
a permit for a demonstration and be sure all signs and statements are
in perfect Christian love. Be sure to avoid including the non-Christian
in your "group" for they do not have the Spirit of God within them to
guide and control their actions.

   God tells His children to do everything without arguing and
complaining, and I believe that applies to the subject at hand. We must
be sure that our society will not see Christians as those who want to
argue and complain about the Government, but rather as Loving,
Concerned Americans who care very deeply about the life of the unborn
child, and the Spiritual lives of the Doctors, Nurses, and the Parents
of the aborted children. God will honor us when we honor Him.

   Tony Capoccia
