Wealth is increasingly and unfairly concentrated among a privileged few. Jesus said: “Watch out! Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.
“Human life begins at conception and to destroy a human embryo means impeding the birth of a human being”, Argentinian Academy of Medicine says in a statement.
Hundreds of Argentinian doctors recently took the streets to protest against the abortion Bill that passed the lower house in June and will be debated on August 8.
During the protests, many doctors held signs with the message, “I’m a doctor, not a murderer”. Some said they would rather go to jail than kill unborn babies in abortions.
“How far are we willing to go to? Jail”, said Ernesto Beruti, chief of obstetrics at the Austral University Hospital.
Even if the law is passed, “I’m not going to eliminate the life of a human being. The most important right is the right to live”, he added.
LEGAL ABORTION AT 14 WEEKS
Abortion is forbidden in Argentina, except in cases of rape, severe disabilities or threats to the mother’s life.
However, the Bill proposes to legalize abortions for any reason up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, arguing that the measure will reduce women’s deaths.
About 300 private and public hospitals across the country have shown their opposition to the legislation.
Private hospitals denounce that the law would not allow them to opt out of performing abortions. Although individual doctors might be able to opt out, other confusing aspects of the law could make them vulnerable to prosecution and persecution for their beliefs.
“Doctors can't work under the threat of prison time”, said Maria de los Angeles Carmona, Head of gynecology at the Eva Peron public Hospital.
MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AGAINST THE BILL
Argentina's Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Societies issued a statement, expressing concern that “doctors who refuse to perform abortions on moral grounds might suffer professional discrimination”.
Additionally, objectors would have to register, and they are worried that could be used to “blacklist” them at hospitals.
The highly respected Argentinian Academy of Medicine is also against the Bill: “human life begins at conception and to destroy a human embryo means impeding the birth of a human being”, the pointed out in a statement.
“Nothing good can come when society chooses death as a solution”, the Academy said.
LATE TERM ABORTIONS
Opponents also warn it could open the way to widespread late term abortions, because it waives the 14-week limit in cases of rape or when a woman's health is at stake.
If the Bill is approved, Argentina will be the first nation to legalize abortion since a historic vote in Ireland to overturn its Eighth Amendment, which provided legal protections for unborn children. It would be one of the only nations in South America with legalized abortion on demand.
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Photos of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance’s annual gathering “Idea 2019”, in Murcia. Politicians and church leaders discussed about the role of minorities in society.
Christians rallied in Sofia on November 18 to defend their rights. It is the second Sunday of peaceful demonstrations against a new religion draft law that could severely restrict religious freedom and rights of minority faith confessions.
Abolitionists marched through 400 cities in 51 countries. Pictures from Valencia (Spain), October 20.
Seminars, an arts exhibition, discussion and testimonies. The European Disability Network met in Tallinn.
After one year in captivity, “the least we can do is to stand with her, to protest and to pray until we see her released”, says Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
In an interview, Lindsay Brown analyses three challenges for the church in Europe and elsewhere and how they can be turned into opportunities for the gospel.
The Swiss-Spanish artist and Evangelical Focus author speaks about how he relates work and faith.
A debate about science and faith between Oxford Emeritus Professor of Mathematics John Lennox and Oxford Emeritus Professor in Chemistry Peter Atkins. Moderated by journalist Justin Brierley.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or