GENTLE BREEZE
By NELLY FAVIS VILLAFUERTE
(Last Part)
Nelly Favis Villafuerte
Do you believe that calamities coming our way are warnings from God on forthcoming destructions and disasters? From Biblical accounts, we see that God always warns a nation before judgment. We see this happened to the ancient Jewish people and their removal from Israel in 600 BC. Today, we see the same sinful experience of the ancient Jewish people happening to other countries/peoples like modern America.
Let us take the controversial cultural and political issue of abortion. Ancient Israel and now modern America practiced the so-called “child killing” – the term used for abortion by anti-abortion advocates.
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The US Supreme Court legalized abortion in January 1973 in the landmark case of Roe v. Wade. In this case, the US Supreme Court laid down the rule that a restrictive state law on abortion was unconstitutional as it violated a woman’s constitutional right of privacy – which the US Supreme Court held is guaranteed by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision was 7-2. In the US, people are labeled as “pro-choice” or “pro-life,” “although there are various shades of opinion in-between. Ten years earlier, in June, 1963, the US Supreme Court had likewise banned prayer and Bible reading in public schools.* * *
Let me now share with you what the Bible says about abortion. In one of the articles appearing in Dr. Butch Belgica’s new book titled SHAPAT – a compilation of articles by Dr. Belgica and other God-fearing men who believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that God is in control of all nations and all peoples – the subject of abortion is tackled. Here are some excerpts of an article appearing in SHAPAT about abortion:- “The unborn are considered persons and ought to be fully protected by law. The text of this law declares that the unborn is a child, and we cannot make a legal distinction between an unborn child and a child who has been born. Both are to be protected by laws against injury and death, and the same penalty applied to the one who injures or kills either the born or unborn. In a legal sense, the killing of an unborn child is infanticide, punishable by death.
- “There is no given stage of development, such as the point of ‘viability,’ when an unborn child is first considered a person under the protection of law. No such distinction is made in this case law. All that the application of this legislation requires is proof that the woman was pregnant.
- “Deliberate abortion is a crime punishable by death. The legislation of Exodus 21:22-25 definitely covers the case of an abortion. As in the case given in Exodus, abortion is a malicious assault on an unborn child. In the Exodus case, there may be some uncertainty as to the intent, but in abortion there is no question that the assault is with the intent to kill. Abortion fits the Biblical definition of murder because it involves malice and premeditation (Deut. 19:11).
- “The guilt of innocent blood is charged upon all who participate in the abortion – the doctor who actually kills the child with his saline solution and knife, the nurses who assist the doctor, the mother and any accomplices (such as the father or her parents) who with her seek the abortion, and the one who pays for the abortion.
- “The child in the womb has the same legal right to protection as the mother. The mother has no legal right to abort her child on the supposition that it is necessary to do so to protect her own life or “health.” It is a false and unjust legal dichotomy to stress the rights or life of the mother over against the rights or life of the unborn child.
- “If a woman dies or is injured during an abortion, the abortionist is guilty. By performing an abortion the “doctor” assaults a woman with child with deadly intent; if harm comes to the mother, he is liable; if she dies, he is guilty of murder.
- “The civil magistrate is charged with the duty of protecting the mother and the unborn child. It is a gross violation of duty when the civil government does not prohibit and punish abortion.
- “The failure to prohibit and punish abortion bring the guilt of innocent blood upon a nation; innocent blood that God will avenge.
- “According to the principles of truth and justice revealed in the case law of Exodus 21:22-25, abortion is a horrible crime against God and man. It is an assault with intent to kill upon the weakest and most defenseless among us.”
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Indeed, Dr. Butch Belgica, author of SHAPAT, one of the youngest gang leaders of the underworld in our country during his youth; once jailed for years in our National Penitentiary, is a living example of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness to sinners. Dr. Butch Belgica is married to Dr. Carmelita (Meth) Banta; they have four children – (Reno, Greco, Jeremiah, and Jonathan (+). While in prison, Butch Belgica accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. Since then he has never waivered in his passion and boldness to share the Word of God. Butch Belgica, in his multi-role as an author, preacher, teacher, lecturer, youth counselor, and a vocal advocate against drugs (At one time, Butch was president of Kill Droga NCR) has one mission in life – namely, to win more souls for God’s glory.Dr. Butch Belgica – may your tribe increase!
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This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis-Villafuerte, 5233 LRV Building, Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.Be joyful and forgiving!
(Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected])