Why Christians May Differ on Proposition 4

I firmly support Proposition 4, "Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy Initiative," but I do understand why some Christians do not support it. In the first place, the measure itself is abortion neutral except for its prohibition of forced abortions on teenagers. Because the measure doesn't affect the family's choice for or against abortion, some prolife Christians refuse to support the measure. As a matter of conscience, they won't support any law that tolerates abortion.

I still support the measure because in states where similar laws have been passed, teenage pregnancy rates (and abortions) have reportedly decreased. Apparently, teenagers become more responsible about avoiding pregnancy when they know they'll have to face the music with their family if they get pregnant. Thus, this law is a good deterrent to sexual irresponsibility among teenagers.

Another reason that some Christians oppose this law is that some parents may abuse their daughters if they learn that they have become pregnant. This is a real and serious risk if only for a small minority of young women in California. And those who have seen or have personal knowledge of the serious injuries brutally inflicted on some girls by irate fathers may never be willing to vote for parental notification measures.

On the other hand, voters should keep in mind that this measure contains not only a judicial bypass for girls with potentially abusive parents but also a family bypass. That is, the girl can choose another adult family member to inform, e., g., a grandparent or an adult brother or sister. And someone in the family certainly should know it if a girl has an abortion because of the danger of hemorrhage and infection afterwards.

Finally, all laws are general rules that may not apply well to the endless different situations they must cover. Therefore, we must judge a law by its probable overall effect. It seems to me that between this law's deterrent effect on promiscuous sexual activity and its encouraging parental involvement in the decision of whether to abort, the total number of abortions will be reduced. And every abortion kills a living human being.