Forgiveness and Guilt of Abortion

Pro-life advocates have said for years that aborting a child can lead to severe cases of guilt and depression in
the mother, later if not sooner.

A recent study published in the esteemed British Medical Journal validates these concerns.

A total of 1,086 American women were studied. These women all had unintended first pregnancies. Some
delivered their children; the rest aborted.

The depression scores revealed that women who had abortions had much higher risks for clinical depression.

Dr. David Reardon, director of the Elliot Institute which carried out the study, said, “These findings are
consistent with other research linking abortion to higher subsequent rates of suicide, substance abuse, and
other psychological reactions.”

This study was especially important because it studied depression rates over a number of years. The link
between abortion and higher rates of depression persists for at least eight years.
One woman who was interviewed did not realize the damage her abortion had done to her emotions until 35
years later!

Fortunately, there are people who are working on lessening the emotional toll abortion takes on many women.

Psychotherapist Dr. Theresa Burke has founded Rachel’s Vineyard, a post-abortion ministry that has counseled
more than 6,000 women.

At the National Memorial in Chattanooga, Tennessee, thousands have placed the names of their aborted
children on a 50-foot granite “Wall of Names.” The administrator of the memorial says, “When couples see that
their child and their experience with abortion is validated and treated with dignity and respect, this can help them
attain a greater level of healing.”

We object to that. There’s nothing dignified or respectful about abortion, except when done to save the mother’s
life.

However, there is plenty of respect and love for the mother who has undergone a non-therapeutic abortion but
who has confessed her sin and received full forgiveness from the Lord.

Any ministry that works with women who are emotionally hurting from an abortion must focus on this truth. LSI

—Warren Krug, editor