# What does the Bible say about abortion? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 16, 2019, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043 "2019-05-16T10:03:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/81 "2019-05-19T19:56:55Z")
Some refer to the Sin of Odin as masturbation. (it could apply in this situation) But, obviously he was using the pull out method of birth control. > **[Genesis 38:9-19 - KJV Bible - And Onan knew that the seed should not be his;...](https://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/genesis/passage/?q=genesis%2B38:9-19&)** > > Genesis 38:9-19 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the... 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. 11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/82 "2019-05-19T20:33:06Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Not really, once we figured out what conception was, it is a natural and sensible starting point. It is at that point ‘a new creation’ . Do you think people couldn’t tell women were pregnant before fetal movements? It doesn’t require modern science and technology to detect early pregnancy; most women figure it out after their period stops and morning sickness arrives. Well before quickening starts, there’s usually a noticeable belly. People knew fetuses were in there. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/83 "2019-05-19T21:07:48Z")
What Onan did wasn’t a sin because of his technique. It was a sin because he was refusing to give his dead brother an heir; which he was supposed to do. There’s no indication in the passage that coitus interruptus would have been a sin in other circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/84 "2019-05-19T21:24:44Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Not really, once we figured out what conception was, it is a natural and sensible starting point. It is at that point ‘a new creation’ . > [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Do you think people couldn’t tell women were pregnant before fetal movements? It doesn’t require modern science and technology to detect early pregnancy; most women figure it out after their period stops and morning sickness arrives. Well before quickening starts, there’s usually a noticeable belly. People knew fetuses were in there. And they knew that the act of sex could engender new life. The ancients in biblical times certainly knew what conception was, for all practical purposes. What’s reasonably new is ultrasound, which shows that the pregnancy takes “form” quite early, and isn’t just “water”. And I do think that’s influenced the abortion debate. But “conception” is only a “natural and sensible starting point” if you don’t have a vested interest in the woman’s body. If you want to get all scientific, until the embryo develops the “primitive streak” and the cells differentiate, each cell if the blastula can likely develop into a full person. That’s how identical twins are formed: > **[Primitive streak](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primitive_streak)** > > The primitive streak is a structure that forms in the early embryo in amniotes. In amphibians, the equivalent structure is the blastopore. During early embryonic development, the embryonic disc becomes oval shaped, and then pear-shaped with the broad end towards the anterior, and the narrower region projected to the posterior. The primitive streak forms a longitudinal midline structure in the narrower posterior (caudal) region of the developing embryo on its dorsal side. At first formati The prim... > **[Formation of monozygotic twins: when does it occur? - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11945092/)** > > An individual embryo from day 15 of gestation in the rhesus monkey showed partial separation of the cranial end of the embryonic shield into two separate cell masses with separate amnions but with a common yolk sac. Although what the fate of this... Unless you think that identical twins are the same person, surely a fertilized egg can’t be “a person”. The primitive streak develops about 15 days after fertilization, and many ethicists think that it marks the point at which a human embryo should be treated as a creature and not just as human cells. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/85 "2019-05-19T22:27:41Z")
Masstricht pretty much nailed the discussion with Biblical example after example of how the god of the bible views children as little more than fodder for his violence, including the unborn. I just had to add that David’s punishment for sinning with Bath-Sheba was that his fresh baby would slowly die. It only makes sense. Stupid baby. /sarcasm The god of the bible is a monster. It is played out over and over. The god of the bible places little value on life. There is so much death at his hands. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/86 "2019-05-20T14:08:40Z")
Rev 12 gives some insights also. > [@](#): > > 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon… … The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born… This dragon who seemingly could have just ripped her open, or eaten both mother and fetus together, was waiting for the live birth to eat the child. Later verses seem to indicate this serpent should have had the ability to do them both in. Except for being dramatic, and yes this is Revelation which may be considered akin to dream interpretation, but it appears that there may be a reason to wait till the live birth to do in this child. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/87 "2019-05-20T14:51:14Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Except for being dramatic, and yes this is Revelation which may be considered akin to dream interpretation, but it appears that there may be a reason to wait till the live birth to do in this child. I’m sure we’d all agree that from the woman’s vantage point, it would add insult to injury to go through the horrible pains of labor, only to watch her freshly born baby devoured by an apocalyptic dragon. I would rather die than watch that scene play out. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/88 "2019-05-20T14:51:58Z")
What the Bible says about abortion(or almost any other subject) seems to depend on what you _want_ it to say, judging by this thread and so many others like it. “The Bible says A” vs. “The Bible says B”, both quoting numerous verses…and it doesn’t cause either debater to question the Bible because of this. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/89 "2019-05-20T15:31:01Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What the Bible says about abortion(or almost any other subject) seems to depend on what you _want_ it to say, [/quojudging by this thread and so many others like it. “The Bible says A” vs. “The Bible says B”, both quoting numerous verses…and it doesn’t cause either debater to question the Bible because of this. Seems like, though you would want this to go you way, the thread itself does not agree with your assertion. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/90 "2019-05-20T15:42:43Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Seems like, though you would want this to go you way, the thread itself does not agree with your assertion. 1. I don’t care if this thread “goes my way”(whatever that means)-I was just making an observation. 2. Are you actually making a claim that there is no disagreement as to what the Bible says on the subject? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/91 "2019-05-20T15:47:49Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > … > 2. Are you actually making a claim that there is no disagreement as to what the Bible says on the subject? You are the one who made the unsupported statement. > [@](#): > > What the Bible says about abortion(…) seems to depend on what you want it to say, … ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/92 "2019-05-20T15:51:06Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I’m sure we’d all agree that from the woman’s vantage point, it would add insult to injury to go through the horrible pains of labor, only to watch her freshly born baby devoured by an apocalyptic dragon. I would rather die than watch that scene play out. Is the Dragon’s beef with the women or the child. It is apparent that the dragon is vengeful (as it is willing to go after further offspring), but where does it start? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/93 "2019-05-20T15:55:37Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Is the Dragon’s beef with the women or the child. It is apparent that the dragon is vengeful (as it is willing to go after further offspring), but where does it start? _It is a metaphor_. The Dragon, the woman and the child are symbols-it has nothing to do with the topic of abortion. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/94 "2019-05-20T16:25:32Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > _It is a metaphor_. The Dragon, the woman and the child are symbols-it has nothing to do with the topic of abortion. So no you don’t want to justify your comment. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/95 "2019-05-20T16:29:48Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > So no you don’t want to justify your comment. This thread, and every other thread pertaining to what the Bible says on any political/social quest is my cite. To deny that people of various opinions can (and do) find Bible verses that they claim support them is to deny the existence of this thread you are currently participating in. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/96 "2019-05-20T16:35:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > This thread, and every other thread pertaining to what the Bible says on any political/social quest is my cite. To deny that people of various opinions can (and do) find Bible verses that they claim support them is to deny the existence of this thread you are currently participating in. I understand this, you like to see what you want to in things. We all do it. god Bless us all ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/97 "2019-05-20T16:56:17Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I understand this, you like to see what you want to in things. We all do it. god Bless us all Yeah-I can feel the love. In a thread about people’s differing views on what the Bible says according to the verses that support their differing views, you want to deny what is taking place before your very eyes. Deny away-I’m done pointing out the obvious to you. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/98 "2019-05-20T17:02:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yeah-I can feel the love. > In a thread about people’s differing views on what the Bible says according to the verses that support their differing views, you want to deny what is taking place before your very eyes. Deny away-I’m done pointing out the obvious to you. So a unsupported statement, in IHMO that is allowed, you are all good **Czarcasm** , go in peace of the lord Zeus, and may Ra be with you. Will anyone come to his defense, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/99 "2019-05-20T18:05:21Z")
I think that what Czarcasm said is so obvious that it doesn’t need support; except perhaps the bit about its not causing anyone to question the Bible itself. Some people don’t come to that conclusion; others do. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043/100 "2019-05-21T01:03:51Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I think that what Czarcasm said is so obvious that it doesn’t need support; except perhaps the bit about its not causing anyone to question the Bible itself. Some people don’t come to that conclusion; others do. So again no cite, just like Cz. :rolleyes: It seems like this is what one would like to believe. The circular file is a good place for these. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion/834043.md?page=6)