Arizona court recognizes abortion ban–what should, ‘My body, my choice’ really mean?

 

COGwriter

Arizona’s Supreme Court decided to follow the law and this has incensed pro-abortion forces:

10 April 2024

Hours after Arizona’s supreme court declared on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban is now enforceable, Republicans in the state took a surprising stance for a party that has historically championed abortion restrictions – they denounced the decision.

“This decision cannot stand,” said Matt Gress, a Republican state representative. “I categorically reject rolling back the clock to a time when slavery was still legal and we could lock up women and doctors because of an abortion.”

First passed when Arizona was still a territory, the ban only permits abortions to save a patient’s life and does not have exceptions for rape or incest.

“Today’s Arizona supreme court decision reinstating an Arizona territorial-era ban on all abortions from more than 150 years ago is disappointing to say the least,” said TJ Shope, a Republican state senator.

“I oppose today’s ruling,” added Kari Lake, a Republican running to represent Arizona in the US Senate and a loyalist of Donald Trump. Lake called on the state legislature to “come up with an immediate commonsense solution that Arizonans can support”. …

As Arizona Republicans raced to distance themselves from the long-dormant law, abortion opponents cheered the decision.

“We celebrate the Arizona supreme court’s decision that allows the state’s pro-life law to again protect the lives of countless, innocent unborn children,” said Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Jake Warner, who argued the case before the court in favor of the ban. …

Vice-president Kamala Harris will go to Arizona later this week, in a visit that was planned ahead of the Tuesday decision. She blamed the impending state ban on Trump, whose three supreme court appointees voted to eliminate the federally guaranteed right to an abortion.

“Arizona just rolled back the clock to a time before women could vote – and, by his own admission, there’s one person responsible: Donald Trump,” Harris said in a campaign statement. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/10/arizona-republicans-against-state-abortion-ban

So, notice that Republican politicians are not as anti-abortion as many hope and that, of course, Democrats like Kamala Harris remain stridently pro-abortion. Most politicians are interested in retaining their power more than holding to properly moral positions and Republicans in Arizona are publicly putting that reality on display.

As far as the number of abortions go, since the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion decision, the number of abortions has not dropped like the abortionists feared, but instead has risen according to the following report Forbes posted about:

Abortion Rates Have Been ‘Consistently Elevated’ Since Supreme Court Overturned Roe V. Wade, Study Finds

February 28, 2024

The number of abortions carried out in the U.S. each month is “similar if not higher” than the abortion rate before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, according to a new study by the Society of Family Planning—though abortion rights advocates say the consistent rates shouldn’t obscure ongoing challenges to accessing abortion care. …

The Supreme Court’s ruling has impacted abortion access, with the study finding that if the court hadn’t overturned Roe, 120,930 abortions would have occurred in 14 states that have banned abortion in the wake of the ruling: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Those decreases have been offset by surges in other states where abortion has remained legal, with the largest influx of patients in Illinois, Florida and California, along with other increases in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/02/28/abortion-rates-have-been-consistently-elevated-since-supreme-court-overturned-roe-v-wade-study-finds/?sh=5404891063c0

Over two years ago, I wrote:

Even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, that will not stop abortions in the USA.  (Thiel B. Roe vs. Wade: Abortion still an issue and still should be made illegal. COGwriter, January 23, 2022)

Sadly, abortions not only continue, but seem to be rising.

Such should never be.

Interestingly, the woman that the pro-abortion forces used to get the original Roe vs. Wade decision (Norma L. McCorvey, whose court case was filed under the alias of Jane Roe) that the pro-abortion forces wanted, later regretted her decision. So much so that in August 1995, she (Norma L. McCorvey) announced that she had become an advocate of Operation Rescue’s campaign to make abortion illegal.

The Bible says to:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins.  (Isaiah 58:1)

That is what many posts here, such as this one related to abortion, are doing.

Abortion is a sin and reckoning is coming.

The Bible makes it clear that human life begins prior to birth (Ecclesiastes 11:5; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 44:24; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Luke 1:41-44). Since all fertilized human eggs are human, human life begins at the time of conception.

“Conception” means to first come into existence, so even its definition supports the idea of when a life starts.

Knowing happens at conception makes this clearer. Normally (unless there is Down syndrome or something that changes the number of chromosomes) 23 unpaired chromosomes from the egg and 23 unpaired chromosomes from the sperm come together and form a new entity with 46 chromosomes. This new entity is a new human life. It did not come into existence before conception and does not change genetically after conception. It is not a dog, a frog, or simply a pile of tissue. The unborn baby is a separate, but developing, human being.

I have seen photos of protestors with signs saying, “My body, my choice.” This has been a media tactic pro-abortionists have long used. Here is something related to that:

Arizona Supreme Court rules a century-old law banning nearly all abortions can be enforced

April 9, 2024

A protestor holds a sign reading ‘My Body My Choice’ at a Women’s March rally where Arizona Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs spoke outside the State Capitol …

In a historic decision Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled the state must adhere to a 123-year-old penal code provision barring all abortions except in cases when “it is necessary to save” a pregnant person’s life.

The law, which can be traced to as early as 1864, also carried a prison sentence of two to five years for abortion providers. There is a 14-day stay on the law.

The case is the latest high-profile example of the battle over abortion access that has played out across several states since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court in 2022. Since that decision, nearly two dozen states have banned or limited access to the procedure. Providers have warned that restrictive policies on abortion access place patients at risk of poor health outcomes and doctors at risk of legal liability. https://ksltv.com/636396/arizona-supreme-court-rules-a-century-old-law-banning-nearly-all-abortions-can-be-enforced/

Let’s consider the “my body, my choice” line.

First of all, women who are not raped do have a choice. Women do not have to get married or have sexual intercourse, plus if they do they can use a variety of birth control methods (see also Are any types of birth control scripturally allowed?). Those options are related to their bodies and their choices. More on a woman’s right to choose is in the article: Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose.

Second of all, if a woman gets pregnant, their is another body in her womb. It is not her body, nor is killing that body a choice she has the moral right to make.

The unborn baby is innocent and does not deserve death.

Consider also that the Bible specifically condemns those that shed innocent blood, as that is something that God hates:

So you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD (Deuteronomy 21:9).

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace (Isaiah 59:7-8).

Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3).

“Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence” (Jeremiah 22:17).

Babies are innocent. Killing them is the shedding of innocent blood. The baby is NOT the woman’s body, nor is killing it through an abortion a choice she should chose.

The Bible prophesied that in the last days people would be “without natural affection” (2 Timothy 3:3, KJV). Here is information on the Greek term so translated:

NT:794
astorgos (as’-tor-gos); from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of stergo (to cherish affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred:

KJV – without natural affection.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

What is interesting here is that the word astorgos seems to mean a lack of love towards those you are related to. Certainly that encompasses abortion. Thus increased abortions is consistent with the biblical prophecy in 2 Timothy.

Humans are to be kind, not kill their babies, and love each other–abortion is basically the opposite (see also: SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Anger, Murder, Abortion, Sports, Self-Control, & Kindness).

A while back, the Continuing Church of God put out the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:12:23

Abortion and Birth Control: History and Scriptures

What is an abortion? How have they been done throughout history? How are abortions done now? What are some of women’s biblical rights? Do women have a right to have an abortion? When does human life begin? Is birth control acceptable? Are some birth control techniques abortive? Did any Roman Catholic pontiffs allow abortion? What about the Church of God? Has the USA benefited economically from abortion as Chelsea Clinton stated or are there other economic costs? Does the Bible teach that the unborn are human children? What are things that God hates? What are some non-economic costs to abortion? What did Planned Parenthood co-founder want to do with ‘Negros’? Do blacks have a higher percentage of abortions than whites in the USA? Are there abortion lies and suppression of truth? Does the Bible warn of that? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to the sermon: Abortion and Birth Control: History and Scriptures.

Notice the following:

172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172).

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

Killing babies through abortion is not righteous. It is a reproach to nations around the world that allow and encourage it.

Those that consent to abortions are often proud, are normally lying to themselves that they are not doing violence to a human being, and often have abortions because of their own lusts and covetousness. Adding the sin of abortion to their other sins is simply not the answer.

They also place themselves in the same category as Judas Iscariot, for he admitted that when he betrayed Jesus Christ, he (Judas) betrayed “innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus was betrayed by someone He considered to be a friend–no baby should be betrayed by the mother that is supposed to love it.

Related to abortion, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:44

Abortion, the US Constitution, and the Bible

On June 24, 2022, the United State Supreme Court overruled the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision. Did the Court just take away a constitutional right? What does the US Declaration of Independence say about life and the purpose of government? Does human life begin at conception according to 95% of biologists surveyed? Does the Word of God teach that unborn humans are children? What does the Bible teach about the shedding of innocent blood? Are there biblical consequences for performing or condoning abortion? Dr. Thiel along with Steve Dupuie deals with the issues.

Here is a link to the video: Abortion, the US Constitution, and the Bible.

A woman has a lot of rights of choice. But just like a man, she does not have the right to take an innocent life.

She, just like a man, should always choose life.

Women are struck emotionally for the rest of their lives when they consent to an abortion (the Bible even warns of curses for killing the innocent, Deuteronomy 27:25). That is not a choice they should ever make.

Judgement is coming.

Related Items:
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Here is a link to a related sermon: Abortion and Birth Control: History and Scriptures.

American Infanticide February 23, 2019 was declared a ‘day of mourning’ by some concerned about infanticide and other ramifications of the State of New York’s “Reproductive Health Act.” The American College of Pediatricians reported they were grieved by efforts by several states to allow infanticide. Statements from disgraced Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, as well as proposed laws in Illinois, Rhode Island, and Vermont have gotten more to be concerned about infanticide in the United States of America. Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse proposed S. 311 the ‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act failed in a voice vote–and 17 “public health organizations’ denounced S. 311 as “a dangerous government intrustion.” Is the destruction of humans wrong. Does human life begin at conception? Is there a light flash at conception? Has there been infanticide throughout human history? What does God say about the shedding of “innocent blood’? What about Judaism and Molech? This is a video.

Why sex and marriage? What are each spouse’s responsibilities regarding sex in the marriage? What is not allowed according to God’s word? Why is there sex and why is there marriage? Parental discretion is advised as to whether or not everything in this article is now appropriate for their children. Dr. Thiel goes over scriptures, The Missing Dimension in Sex, and provides answers to questions many have had. A related sermon is available: Sex and Marriage. Here is that sermon in the Spanish language: Matrimonio y sexo.

Are any types of birth control scripturally allowed? Did Jesus make a statement that might be consistent with birth control? Are there any methods that might be appropriate? What methods would be biblically prohibited? Here is a link a related video: Can Christians Use Birth Control?

Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?

Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.

About Baptism Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? Who should baptize and how should it be done? Here is a link to a related sermon: Let’s Talk About Baptism and Baptism, Infants, Fire, & the Second Death.

Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Other videos include: Armageddon Will it come on Trump’s watch?, Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy, Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome, Is China paving roads to Armageddon?, and Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2024, 2025, or 2026? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Tribulation in 2024? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año  de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.


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