Abortion
Abortion is not just a personal issue — it’s a societal compass.
As UK law evolves, we must ask: What kind of culture are we creating?
This is more than policy — it's the story we tell about life, dignity, and responsibility.
On 17 June 2025, MPs voted 379–137 to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales, removing criminal offences for women who self-terminate pregnancies, even beyond 24 weeks. The 1967 Abortion Act remains in place, including the 24‑week limit and medical safeguards.
This was prompted by over 100 investigations of women—including those who had miscarriages—under the old Victorian era laws.
Notably, this vote does not legalise abortion up to birth, only removes criminal penalties
In 2020, there were 210,860 abortions in England & Wales, with:
0.05% due to risk to maternal life
0.01% to prevent serious permanent injury
98.1% for risk to the woman’s physical or mental health—broadly defined
Of these, 128 annual abortions after 24 weeks were due to fetal disability—only one in a thousand were for maternal-life risk
In 2022, England & Wales recorded 252,122 abortions—the highest annual number since the 1967 legislation, a 17% increase from 2021.
The vast majority (86%) were medically induced abortions (via pills), a steady trend since 2021 .
Strongly emerging trends in contraceptive use:
Use of fertility awareness-based methods rose from 0.4% (2018) to 2.5% (2023).
Hormonal contraceptive usage among those seeking abortions fell from 19% to 11%.
Non-use of contraception increased from 56% to 70%
Complication rates remain low:
Medical abortions: 0.8 per 1,000
Surgical abortions: 3.5 per 1,000
In 2023, projections estimate ~292,000 abortions in England & Wales—a 16% rise—with the broader UK total at ~300,000
Justifications for abortion:
UK government data reports under 2% of abortions are on grounds of maternal life risk or fetal abnormality; rape/incest remains well under 1%
Rape/incest cases represent far less than 1%, mirroring global trends
What’s Happening in UK Policy
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about law—it’s about our values, our compassion, and what we believe about human dignity.
Life matters from conception: each unborn child bears God’s design (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5).
Law reflects morality: decriminalising abortion shifts societal norms, placing children’s lives outside legal protection.
Rape/incest is often used to justify abortion publicly, but studies show it accounts for around 1% or less of cases - arguments must face facts, not stereotypes.
Compassion for women is essential, but abortion isn’t the only answer—there must be a societal safety net for mothers and unborn children.
Biblical Principles
A. God Values Unborn Life
Psalm 139:13–16: We are “knit” in the womb. Life is created intentionally.
Jeremiah 1:5: God knows and calls us before we are born.
B. The Innocent Must Be Defended
Proverbs 31:8–9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.” The unborn are included in “innocent life.”
C. Love Must Be Compassionate & Concrete
Matthew 25:40: Helping the vulnerable is serving Christ.
James 1:27: True religion cares for widows and orphans—both born and unborn.
D. Bearing Burdens Together
Galatians 6:2: Christians must carry each other’s burdens—not abandon them - we must help the women, not judge them
Romans 13:8-10: Love fulfils the law and honours neighbourhood - community must care for and support systematically.
Mini Reflection
This issue is more than a legal argument - it’s a moral litmus test. How we treat the weakest among us reflects our understanding of justice, mercy, and truth. We cannot claim compassion while discounting the lives of the smallest and most vulnerable.
And yet, claiming value for life must lead to tangible care: homes must welcome children, society must stand with mothers, churches must offer counsel and comfort—not condemnation.
If we value unborn life, we must fund nurture not neglect. We must invest in maternity pay, affordable childcare, mental health support, and housing. Only then can we assert the unborn deserve protection and the mother deserve grace.
Morally Conservative & Socially Liberal
Pro-Life, Pro-Support: Yes to the sanctity of life; yes to state‑funded prenatal care, therapist-led crisis support, and family housing.
Preventing abortion isn’t just about law—it’s about creating a society where motherhood is feasible and welcomed, not feared.
Support services matter: maternal mental‑health programmes, 24/7 pregnancy helplines, post‑natal care, stipends or family tax relief.
We call on Parliament to act:
Ensure universal access to counsellors during pregnancy
Implement meaningful maternity and paternity pay
Increase funding for nurseries and early childhood education
Provide safe housing and legal clarity to pregnant women in crisis
What You or Your Group Can Do
Individual Action:
Write to your MP: express concern at decriminalisation and ask them to support policies protecting both unborn life and maternal care.
Volunteer with or donate to pregnancy centres offering counselling, housing, or material aid.
Church & Community Action:
Teach the biblical view of life and the role of societal care—share sermons and small‑group discussion guides.
Form care partnerships with organizations like CARE and Christian Concern—offer spaces for parenting classes, free mental‑health counselling.
Host Mental‑Health Cafés or Support Groups, offering therapy and hope for those considering abortion.
Lobby local councils to increase support for pregnant women: childcare, housing, transport subsidies.
Pray decisively for mothers, MPs, and unborn children - organise vigils and prayer in solidarity with life.