The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s official position on abortion is nuanced. They acknowledge the sanctity of human life and believe that life starts at conception. However, they also recognize the complexity of life situations and affirm that decisions should be guided by a respect for life, the overall wellbeing of the family, and the moral responsibility of individuals and society.
In their “Statement on the Biblical View of Unborn Life and Its Implications for Abortion,” the church provides a more detailed explanation of its stance. They oppose abortion for personal or social convenience but accept that there may be situations where terminating a pregnancy could be considered morally acceptable. Some of these situations could include:
- Threats to the life of the woman: When the life of the mother is endangered by the pregnancy.
- Severe congenital abnormalities in the fetus: When prenatal diagnosis reveals that the unborn has severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.
- Pregnancy resulting from rape or incest: The emotional and psychological trauma caused by rape or incest might be considered a justification for an abortion.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church encourages those facing such difficult decisions to seek spiritual counsel from their family, their healthcare provider, and their spiritual leaders (pastors or chaplains) to help guide them towards a decision that aligns with their personal beliefs and values.
As always, there can be a wide range of personal beliefs within the church membership, influenced by personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and individual interpretations of faith.