Mormons are different from Catholics and Evangelical Christians and maybe other Christians. We believe that a woman may be justified in seeking abortion, if she has been raped, or if her life is in jeopardy, or the child is so severely deformed, he/she will not survive birth.
Rick Santorum and Newt are asserting--very aggressively--that Romney supported abortion when he was Governor of Massachusetts. However, Santorum and Gingrich are wrong.
Here's what really happened:
Romney--elected Governor in Massachusetts--acted like a Conservative Republican. He vetoed a bill that required hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims--because its not the state's responsibility. But the state legislature overruled his veto.
The state legislature, not Romney, forced Catholic hospitals to provide contraception to rape victims.
Regarding Romney's personal view on the subject, he declared, "My personal view, in my heart of hearts, is that people who are subject to rape should have the option of having emergency contraception..." (Romney, 2005)
Santorum is distorting the truth by ignoring the Romney veto. Nevertheless, Mitt's personal view is well in line with Mormon doctrine.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has consistently opposed elective abortion for personal or social convenience. Members must not submit to, perform, encourage, pay for, or arrange for an abortion." (LDS.org)
The Mormon Church recognizes that there are rare cases when abortion may be justified:
1. A Pregnancy that resulted from rape or incest.
2. A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy.
3. A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive.
These "are not automatic reasons for abortion. Even in these cases, the couple should consider abortion only after consulting with each other, and their bishop, and receiving divine confirmation through prayer. The practice of elective abortion is fundamentally contrary to the Lord’s injunction, ‘Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it.’" (LDS.org)
I don't know when the spirit enters the physical body, nor does the Mormon church claim to know. We believe that we existed before birth--that we are not "created" for the first time at conception. We each lived as a spirit, with a body of spiritual matter, similar in shape and form to our physical body.
I know of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer while she was pregnant. After much prayer and counsel with her doctor, it was determined that she had to start chemo-therapy immediately, and therefore had to abort. This was an exception and all her Mormon neighbors rallied around to provide comfort. She recovered, became pregnant again, delivered a healthy son, who is today serving a mission in the Philippines. Maybe that aborted pregnancy, resulted in this spirit still being born to her at a later time. God is in charge of these things. We existed before birth. She had righteous desires.
Catholic churches and hospitals should not be forced to do anything against the dictates of their faith. There are other hospitals with other options. Romney supports this freedom. "On his first day in office, Mitt Romney will eliminate the Obama administration rule that compels religious institutions to violate the tenets of their own faith."
Meanwhile, most of the 1.2 million abortions performed yearly in the United States would not be exempted by any of the exceptions identified above.
Image: Oakland Temple, Oakland California
The Mormon Church recognizes that there are rare cases when abortion may be justified:
1. A Pregnancy that resulted from rape or incest.
2. A competent physician determines that the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy.
3. A competent physician determines that the fetus has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive.
These "are not automatic reasons for abortion. Even in these cases, the couple should consider abortion only after consulting with each other, and their bishop, and receiving divine confirmation through prayer. The practice of elective abortion is fundamentally contrary to the Lord’s injunction, ‘Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it.’" (LDS.org)
I don't know when the spirit enters the physical body, nor does the Mormon church claim to know. We believe that we existed before birth--that we are not "created" for the first time at conception. We each lived as a spirit, with a body of spiritual matter, similar in shape and form to our physical body.
I know of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer while she was pregnant. After much prayer and counsel with her doctor, it was determined that she had to start chemo-therapy immediately, and therefore had to abort. This was an exception and all her Mormon neighbors rallied around to provide comfort. She recovered, became pregnant again, delivered a healthy son, who is today serving a mission in the Philippines. Maybe that aborted pregnancy, resulted in this spirit still being born to her at a later time. God is in charge of these things. We existed before birth. She had righteous desires.
Catholic churches and hospitals should not be forced to do anything against the dictates of their faith. There are other hospitals with other options. Romney supports this freedom. "On his first day in office, Mitt Romney will eliminate the Obama administration rule that compels religious institutions to violate the tenets of their own faith."
Meanwhile, most of the 1.2 million abortions performed yearly in the United States would not be exempted by any of the exceptions identified above.
Delia, Wonderful Thank you for doing all the research. Wow! You are amazing! Hugs, Bonnie
ReplyDeleteGotta get the truth out there any way we can.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding post on the facts!
People are misinformed on this subject with regard to Mitt, and the Mormon view in general, because there is some subtlety. The position on abortion is very conservative and respectful of life, but not extreme. There is room for the wisdom of Solomon, so to speak, and for individuals to exercise agency within righteously inspired guidelines (that are rigid, but have a little flexibility for extenuating circumstances.)
ReplyDelete