Justin Bieber Says He’s Pro-Life on Abortion, Wait for Sex

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 16, 2011   |   1:34PM   |   Washington, DC

Though his views on political matters don’t matter much to national public policy, a Justin Bieber opinion on a hot topic like abortion could make waves for the millions and millions of adoring fans he has worldwide. He may not be old enough to vote, but the 16-year-old gave his impressions on political topics in an interview with Rolling Stone.

About abortion, Bieber said: “I really don’t believe in abortion. It’s like killing a baby?”

But he backed down when asked to talk about abortion in cases of rape or incest:  “Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

In addition to his pro-life views, Bieber doesn’t push for abstinence until marriage but urges his legion of pre-teen and teen fans to wait to have sex.

“I don’t think you should have sex with anyone unless you love them. … I think you should just wait for the person you’re … in love with,” he said.

Bieber isn’t sure about which political party he supports, but he knows he doesn’t like the communist regime in North Korea: “I’m not sure about the parties,” Bieber says. “But whatever they have in Korea, that’s bad.”

UPDATE: 2/17/10 – Rolling Stone has issued a “correction” after initially publishing the quote from Bieber. The initial reading of the exchange with the Rolling Stone reporter read:

“I really don’t believe in abortion,” Bieber says. “It’s like killing a baby?” How about in cases of rape? “Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

The correcton adds a phrase that somwhat clarifies what Bieber believes about whether abortion is alright in cases of rape or incest.

“Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don’t know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

Bieber’s comments drew praise from pro-life advocates.

Scott Fischbach, who heads the pro-life group Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, had speculated before today’s interview went public that Bieber may be pro-life because so many millennials are pro-life based on abortion’s consequences and seeing ultrasound images.

“Honest and frank talk from Justin Bieber about life issues is awesome and will hopefully encourage more young people to join the cause of life,” he told LifeNews.com. “Poll after poll show that younger people are pro-life and now Bieber joins those majority ranks. Gone are the days when pro-life artists and performers needed to hide or keep their pro-life views out of the public.”

“Years ago when Madonna released ‘Papa Don’t Preach,’ it touched off a wave of pro-life sentiment as the lyrics boldly proclaimed, “I am keeping my baby.”  Hopefully Bieber’s honest comments about how abortions kill babies will do the same.  Pro-lifers can be proud to have another supporter like Justin Bieber,” he added.

Erik Whittington of Rock for Life, a pro-life group that focuses on using music to reach out on the issue of abortion, says he’s glad Bieber is pro-life on abortion but hopes he will rethink his position on abortion in cases of rape.

“Great news, as Justin Bieber has huge influence on young people,” he said. “But Justin, I thought you said, “It’s like killing a baby?” If it is, which it is that ,what is the problem? Why the hesitation? How come it’s OK to judge other situations but not this one?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited that he is making this bold statement in Rolling Stone Magazine, but please let this be a learning experience for us all – when asked about abortion in the cases of rape we must answer a bit more convincingly than that,” Whittington said.

He added, “Abortion is a violent act that takes the life of an innocent human person.  When a mother has conceived in the very unfortunate circumstance of rape that doesn’t change the fact of what abortion is.  Our response remains the same – abortion is a violent act that takes the life of an innocent human person’s life.  No matter what the circumstance of conceiving is we pray for the mother considering abortion, offer her our help and resources and if she was violated we hope and pray that the perpetrator of the heinous crime is caught and brought to justice.”