In the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Mr. Douglas argued that the slave/no slave status of new states should be decided by the will of the people. A local newspaper columnist stated the same regarding the legalization of abortion; it should be determined by the will of the people. He correctly wrote that “a significant majority” favor legalized abortion. Therefore, for him, that settles the matter.
The faculties of our human make-up include the will, the affections, our physical body and the mind. It is the mind which informs the will such that it can, and often does change regarding a certain matter. However, this process can be, and often is, greatly affected by individual passions, prejudices and selfish interests. Earlier, this was the case in America regarding slaves who were regarded as mere sub-human property. This corrupted knowledge in the mind impeded the mind’s ability to correctly inform the will of many.
The Declaration of Independence has no mention of slavery. It was feared that slave holding states would not sign it if it did. Interestingly, some slave holders knew slavery was morally wrong, but the potential loss of monetary profit outweighed doing the right thing.
Greater knowledge has since changed the will of the public regarding slavery. Its practice is now considered a shameful period in our history.
As such, is it wise to rely solely on the public will, or opinion in moral matters when it’s already been shown in the case of slavery to be everchanging and unreliable? For the 95+% of healthy baby/healthy mother situations, could it be that many who support abortion are perhaps influenced more by passions, prejudices, and selfish interests rather than moral considerations?
Are there really moral absolutes? Dr. R. C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries observed that many believe in God, but said the real question is, “Do you believe God?’ That question makes clear the main dividing line on the issue of abortion.
God said through His servant Solomon, who’s gift of wisdom was legendary, that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
The faculties of our human make-up include the will, the affections, our physical body and the mind. It is the mind which informs the will such that it can, and often does change regarding a certain matter. However, this process can be, and often is, greatly affected by individual passions, prejudices and selfish interests. Earlier, this was the case in America regarding slaves who were regarded as mere sub-human property. This corrupted knowledge in the mind impeded the mind’s ability to correctly inform the will of many.
The Declaration of Independence has no mention of slavery. It was feared that slave holding states would not sign it if it did. Interestingly, some slave holders knew slavery was morally wrong, but the potential loss of monetary profit outweighed doing the right thing.
Greater knowledge has since changed the will of the public regarding slavery. Its practice is now considered a shameful period in our history.
As such, is it wise to rely solely on the public will, or opinion in moral matters when it’s already been shown in the case of slavery to be everchanging and unreliable? For the 95+% of healthy baby/healthy mother situations, could it be that many who support abortion are perhaps influenced more by passions, prejudices, and selfish interests rather than moral considerations?
Are there really moral absolutes? Dr. R. C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries observed that many believe in God, but said the real question is, “Do you believe God?’ That question makes clear the main dividing line on the issue of abortion.
God said through His servant Solomon, who’s gift of wisdom was legendary, that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).