Rape and Abortion

Todd Akin’s recent comments regarding rape are reprehensible.  They also cloud the difficult discussion that our nation needs regarding abortion.  The discussion on these two subjects, rape and abortion, are two different ones, though at one point, they do connect.

So first: rape is a crime of violence and power, typically committed by men against women, that should be condemned by all, prevented to the extent possible, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law when perpetrated.

Next topic: abortion.  Obviously, there is not nearly the consensus regarding abortion that there is about rape.  That is what makes the intersection of the two subjects especially volatile.  For those who advocate abortion on demand for any reason, there is not a problem.  For those like me, who consider life to begin at conception, there is a difficult problem.  When the conception occurs as a consequence of an crime of violence, does that circumstance alter the ethical and moral considerations?

Personally, I do not think it changes the fact that life begins at conception.  I have struggled with the idea that it may alter the law and public policy.  Without necessarily advocating abortion in the case of rape, it may best to allow for it.  It is a difficult issue for those of us who value life from conception.

Here are three things to consider in this:

Empower the Victim – We have long known that rape is less about sex and more about power.   Placing the decision to abort or not to abort into the hands of the victim of the rape may be as much about empowering the victim as it is about abortion.  Having conceived without choice, it may be wise to not ask the victim to carry the baby apart from her own choice.

My Friends – As a pastor, I have known and ministered to women who were raped.  I’ve observed the pain and wounding that comes from this act of violence.  It is awful and it is real.

Among these women, I have known one who was raped and then conceived.  She did not terminate the pregnancy, but instead gave the baby up for adoption at birth.  Her rape was no less traumatic than those of the other women.  And giving birth and then surrendering the child for adoption also has its own set of heartaches.  But this friend was thankful that she did not abort.  Years later, she looked back on the potential abortion as an additional trauma that she avoided.  By then, she had children of her own, and had made contact with her daughter and met her grandchildren.  She could look back and see the trauma of her rape.  But she was glad she did not choose a second trauma: the abortion.  Hers is a story that needs to be part of the conversation.

A Compelling Argument Against Abortion Even In The Case Of Rape - Mr Akin’s misinformation and inarticulate babble is no argument worth defending.  But there are strong arguments against abortion in the case of rape that we need to hear.  Most people have never heard or considered such an argument.  Don’t expect to hear them in the mainstream media.  

But iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).  The value of life is so important, that we need to consider the strongest arguments for its protection, not the weakest.  In that vein, I think everyone – regardless of your conviction at this point – would do well to read the blog post by Trevin Wax entitled “What Todd Akin Should Have Said About Abortion and Rape.”  Click Here for the entire post.  Here’s a sample:

Let me be clear: Allowing abortion in the case of rape is not the way to express sympathy toward a victim of this crime. Abortion only destroys the life of another victim. .  .  .

I believe that all innocent human life should be protected. So, yes. This difficult situation is about three people: the rapist, the mother, and the baby. Currently, there is no death penalty required for the rapist. I refuse to believe we ought to give an innocent victim a sentence more severe than the perpetrator of the crime.

This is an uncomfortable discussion.  Rape is a crime.  When that crime leads to conception, it presents a real quandary to people who value life from conception.  We dare not give this anything less than our best consideration.