The difference between Legal, Decriminalized and Regulated abortion, & why we support Gestational Limits
(See below for attached printable version)
It has been nearly thirty years since the Supreme Court struck down Canada's last abortion law in their R. v. Morgentaler decision (1988). Soon after, the Mulroney government made an attempt to craft a new law. But Bill C-43 was a piece of legislation that would have protected only some pre-born children. Those involved in Canada's pro-life movement during the early 1990s were divided on whether or not an imperfect law was something they could support.
Today this issue is still being debated. On the one side there are those who argue we should not support legislative measures that protect some but not all pre-born children.
And here on the other side we are arguing for advancing abortion legislation one step at a time. We wholeheartedly believe that Bible-believing Christians can, in good conscience, support partial restrictions on abortion, including gestational limits.
In defense of debate
Trying to save the pre-born is a fight to which many Christians have devoted a significant part of their lives. It is an issue we are passionate about and heavily invested in. It is, consequently, very hard for us to discuss strategy in a dispassionate manner. But when we turn to the Bible we see there is good reason to try.
Proverbs 18:17 tells us, "The first to present his case seems right, until a second comes and questions him." Finding out who is right is often aided by hearing both sides. Proverbs 27:17 makes a similar point: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." We need to imitate the Bereans (Acts 17) who were willing to hear, but then went to the Scriptures to test what was being said to them.
In what follows, we are going to make our case for the morality of advancing abortion legislation one step at a time. We know some will disagree, but we hope that we can interact, as fellow Christians, in a God-honoring manner, having patience with one another and showing love to each other, as we search for the truth on this matter.
What was unclear with Bill C-43 is clear today
It's been nearly 30 years since Canada's abortion law was struck down and over two decades since its intended replacement, Bill C-43, was defeated in the Senate. Many pro-life organizations celebrated the bill's defeat. It was a piece of legislation that, according to then justice minister Kim Campbell, abortionists would have "no need to fear." She wrote, "The legislation is designed to protect a doctor from being convicted under the new law (and) protect nurses and other medical staff acting under the doctor's direction."
While the bill did offer more restrictions on abortion than we presently have, when compared to the law the Supreme Court had struck down only three years before, it had far fewer protections for the pre-born. There was also some reason to hope that if this bill was defeated it could be replaced with a better one. Few would have expected that for the next two and half decades no such bill would be forthcoming.
