Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Choice

Q: My friend is pregnant and wants to have an abortion. If she has the baby, her whole life will be ruined. She won’t be able to go to college or get a good job. I would never have an abortion, but I don’t see how I can tell my friend that she can’t do whatever she wants to do with her own body.

A: If your friend were to have the baby, it definitely would not ruin her life. If she can’t take care of the baby, she can give him or her up for adoption. There are many people who want a baby; your friend would be giving them a gift. That would leave her feeling like she did something worthwhile and good. Abortion would leave her feeling guilty and depressed. She would have to live with the fact that she killed her own child. Deep in her heart, does she really want to kill her little boy or girl? According to the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, teenagers are ten times more likely to attempt suicide in the six months following an abortion than those who have not had an abortion. Once your friend has the abortion, she can’t take it back.

Saying that it’s okay for other people to have abortions is like saying that it’s okay with you if someone commits murder. It is her body, but is that a good excuse? She did do what she wanted with her body and now she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. Yes, she made a mistake but does she want to make an even bigger mistake by choosing abortion?

What can you say to her? Don’t try to change her mind so much as share your opinion with her. The best thing to do is pray for her to make the right decision.