Monday, September 19, 2005

"Quadruplets and Accomplices"

I will never be a "good" Christian commentator on the "big issues" - abortion, homosexuality, etc. I see too many gray areas, and I feel too much pain for the people who find themselves in situations where abortion seems to be the only option, or who find themselves mocked and rejected because of their sexual orientation. Yes, I happen to believe that Scripture teaches about the sanctity of life, and that sexual relations between anyone other than a man or woman are wrong.

But even that last sentence feels too absolute. I am a victim in some ways of a society that has introduced a lack of absolutes. I do believe that there are absolutes, I'm just not sure that I want to be the one responsible for stating them. For example, "do not murder" is seemingly an excellent absolute, until one begins to define murder. What about abortion? What about capital punishment? Can a person be anti-abortion and pro capital punishment? I know an awful lot of Christians who are. What about the case where continuing the pregnancy risks the life of the mother?

All of these questions confound me, but I found a very insightful article today. We've been talking on Sunday nights in our large gathering and on Tuesdays at house church about what it really means to see people. My argument is this - to really see people, we are suddenly introduced to a world of gray areas, especially if the people are in precarious or hurtful or crises situations. This article deals with some of the questions surrounding the idea of abortion and "selective reduction" and attempts to bring a different perspective, from someone in the midst of a crisis surrounding this issue. You can find it here. Then come back and tell me what you're thinking.