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A survey conducted by Pew Research Center reveals a significant difference between what professing Christians actually believe about abortion.
Ironically, one "Christian" church is more supportive of abortion than atheists are.
The study also reveals how members of Assemblies of God, Church of God and Southern Baptist churches believe---a group of churches Pew believes to be among the most conservative larger church denominations.
The Pew Research survey includes an overview of beliefs about abortion in a number of categories and how they have changed from 1995 through 2017.
The survey also includes, "Views of abortion by religious affiliation."
One News Now, an affiliation of American Family Association, says, "The shocking statistics were brought to light as the 45th anniversary of the notorious United States Supreme Court case [Roe v Wade] ---that opened the doors for some 60 million innocent preborn babies' lives to be terminated---is being celebrated by abortion activists nationwide."
I agree, and also personally find the statistics "shocking" in many respects.
Here's a look at some of those statistics:
- More than 4 decades after Roe v Wade, most Americans (57%) are supportive of legal abortion.
- About 40% believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.
What about "Christians?"
One News says, "Even though the Bible clearly warns against the evils of abortion and teaches the sanctity of human life that is only God's to take---more and more churches across America do not share God's Word with their congregations on the important moral issue."
- 77% of members of the Church of God believe abortion should be made illegal in all or most cases.
- 71% of members of Assemblies of God churches believe abortion should be made illegal in all or most cases.
- 66% of members of Southern Baptist churches believe abortion should be made illegal in all or most cases.
The question that comes to my mind is how 23% of the members in the Church of God, 29% in the Assemblies of God, and 34% in the Southern Baptist churches do "not" embrace the sanctity of life as taught in the Bible?
Political Party affiliation also gives a clear difference in beliefs relating to abortion.
- 65% of Republicans say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.
- 75% of Democrats say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
In 2014, just over 3 years ago, Pew took a comprehensive survey called, "2014 Religious Landscape Study."
American adults were asked if abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
This is the response:- Unitarian Universalist -90 percent
- Atheist- 87 percent
- Jewish- 87 percent
- Buddhist- 82 percent
- Episcopal Church- 79 percent
- United Church of Christ- 72 percent
- Hindu- 68 percent
- “Nothing in particular”- 67 percent
- Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)- 65 percent
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America- 65 percent
- African Methodist Episcopal Church- 64 percent
- United Methodist Church- 58 percent
- All U.S. adults (in 2017)- 57 percent
- National Baptist Convention- 57 percent
- Anglican Church- 56 percent
- Muslim- (55 percent)
- Presbyterian Church in America- 54 percent
- Orthodox Church- 53 percent
- Catholic- 48 percent
- American Baptist Churches USA- 47 percent
- Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod- 46 percent
- Seventh-day Adventist- 42 percent
- Church of God in Christ- 41 percent
- Churches of Christ- 36 percent
- Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)- 30 percent
- Mormon- 27 percent
- Church of the Nazarene- 27 percent
- Assemblies of God- 26 percent
- Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.)- 20 percent
- Jehovah’s Witness- 18 percent
It is generally agreed that members of churches follow the teaching from the pulpit---or they leave the church.
The Catholics are an exception. The Church strongly supports the sanctity of life, yet US Catholics are divided on the issue with 48% supportive of legal abortion, and 47% opposed.
The movement to protect and honor life was given new impetus last week when President Trump reinstated "Sanctity of Human Life Day" on January 22--a commemoration began by President Reagan in 1984. This, after 8 years of "Christian" Obama declining to commemorate or even observe or mention it.
President Trump's proclamation included these words,
"Science continues to support and build the case for life. Medical technologies allow us to see images of the unborn children moving their newly formed fingers and toes, yawning and even smiling. Those images present us with the irrefutable evidence that babies are growing within their mother's wombs---precious, unique lives, each deserving a future filled with promise and hope."
And he said, "Reverence for every human life, one of the values for which our Founding Fathers fought, defines the character of our Nation."
Some are claiming that President Trump is the most overt pro-life president in the history of our nation, while others are chanting "impeach him, impeach him."
And the battle for the mind and soul of American continues.
It is a spiritual battle, not a political one. Politics and politicians ultimately reflect what we the people believe.
Be Informed. Be Faithful. Be Bold. Be Vigilant. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.