Saying, No, to abortions in Ross-shire
THE Ross-shire Journal reports a sudden rise in the number of girls under 16 in Ross and Cromarty who have had abortions. Provisional figures released by the Highland Health Board show that there has been a sixfold increase from one conception and abortion in each of the years 1991 to 1995, to six conceptions and abortions in 1996. There was also an increase in the number of abortions carried out in the 16 to 19 age group.
Further, there is an increasing trend towards abortion in the 16 to 19 age group. In 1994, out of 64 conceptions, 21 were aborted. In 1995, 33 out of 67 conceptions were aborted.
On the subject of teenage sexuality, it is encouraging to hear the Health Board spokesman say, “The counselling we urge is to encourage the vast majority of girls who want to say ‘No’ to do so until they feel old enough.” This is a new step in the right direction. Until recently we heard the refrain “safer sex” ad nauseam, instead of the little but powerful word “No”. Churches have been urging the Health Board to promote this line for a long time.
On the solemn subject of abortion, the sad number of abortions is as much a comment on Health Board policy as it is a comment on the immorality amongst teenagers. It is high time that the Health Board learnt to say “No” to social abortions. The number of abortions is determined by the abortion policy of politicians and doctors; and more immediately by the Health Board and the gynaecologists in our hospitals. The real solution to the problem about increasing teenage abortion figures is simply to review abortion policy in order to eliminate “social” abortions. However, the British Medical Association’s intention to modify the Hippocratic Oath so that it does not explicitly protect human life from the moment of conception does not auger well for the future.
D. M. B
Ultra-Orthodox bill before Israel’s Knesset
A PRIVATE member’s bill before the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has caused great concern in Christian circles. This bill would make it illegal to publish or distribute material intended to persuade people to change their religion.
There is already legislation which prohibits material that is deemed to be coercing people to change their religion. However, the Ultra-Orthodox Jews consider this law to be too weak, but until recently they did not have enough support to amend existing legislation. That was until the arrival in Israel of Morris Cerullo, an American evangelist who claims the Charismatic gift of healing. His activities in Israel have been described in one Christian magazine as “clumsy and foolish”. The outcome is a bill which, if passed, would make all missionary activity totally illegal. In fact, it is suggested that it would outlaw the whole of evangelical activity in Israel.
The bill has strong support within the Knesset, and the fact that there is a likelihood of this, or a similar bill, passing into law, shows clearly how firmly the veil is still on their heart of the Jews. How much both Jews and Gentiles need the inward illumination of the Holy Spirit! Yet “how shall they hear without a preacher?” And if the supply of such preachers and of suitable literature to Israel is cut off how can we expect that veil ever to be lifted? Yet we must not underestimate the power of God to turn His ancient people to Himself in spite of their consistent resistance to the gospel since the time of the Apostles. Nor should we ignore the promises of the Scriptures, which assure us that in God’s good time “all Israel shall be saved”.
It would be a dangerous matter for the nation of Israel to take such a determined step as this to pass a bill which would prevent her people being influenced by the gospel, which tells of her own Messiah. The Lord is able to prevent it, and He is able to take the wise in their own craftiness. What need there is of prayer that the gospel would indeed go out in power and purity to the whole world and in particular to the people of Israel!
K.D.M.