Two politicians, earlier expected to win, lost yesterday.  Both opposed unrestricted abortion.  Both were doomed by ill-judged statements on abortion and rape victims.  One was indefensible.  The other was unwise and unclear, and an unethical opponent and press twisted the comment into something evil.

Events like this should not silence us.  Christians should speak truth even if our words are unpopular.  Abortion destroys a life, and our Lord condemns in the Scriptures the shedding of innocent blood.  But we should learn to anchor our words to Biblical principles.

Deuteronomy 24:16

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

A civilised society does not allow a baby to be killed
for the crime of his father,
even if the father’s crime was rape.

Rape is not a topic for loose words.  It demands the death penalty (Deuteronomy 22:25), for nothing else is sufficient.  There is no restitution, no way to undo it, no compensation.  The victim and her family will suffer memories and consequences for the rest of her life.  No financial “restitution” can change that, nor will a prison sentence.  It is irreparable.  If the crime results in a pregnancy, taking the child’s life will not change those memories and consequences, either.  A rape victim should have all of our compassion and help, but she will not be helped by adding another crime to try to obliterate the memory of the first one, by victimising an innocent life.

We’ve turned it all around.  God says:

• the perpetrator should die
• this crime is too serious for a “second chance”
• the innocent child should live

Our society says:

• the perpetrator should live in prison for a few years and get another chance
• “Everyone deserves a second chance“
• the innocent child can die

Crown Prosecution Sentence Guidelines when an adult is raped give the rapist a mere 4-8 years (4 1/2 years in one terrible case).  The terminology “second chance” is revealing, because when you give a rapist a second chance, you are taking a chance with the safety of women.  According to God, “two strikes and you’re out” is one strike too many — the second victim should never have suffered.  But that still leaves the question:

Does a baby get even a first “chance” when his/her father is a rapist,
or does he/she get the death penalty?