The Seventh-Day Adventist Church confirmed its solidly pro-life position in a vote Wednesday during its annual council meeting in Maryland.
The Christian denomination declared abortion to be “out of harmony with God’s plan for human life” in a new position statement approved by its executive committee, Religious Liberty TV reports.
The statement of belief affirms the value of babies in the womb and condemns abortion as murder under the sixth commandment. It states that “God considers the unborn child as human life,” and “the principle to preserve life enshrined in the sixth commandment places abortion within its scope.”
“Life is protected by God,” the statement continues. “It is not measured by individuals’ abilities or their usefulness, but by the value that God’s creation and sacrificial love has placed on it. Personhood, human value, and salvation are not earned or merited by graciously granted by God.”
The denomination’s position also encourages congregations to be compassionate and loving toward families who are struggling, according to the report. It tells Christians to create “an atmosphere of true love” and “provide care for struggling individuals, couples, and families.” It also urges churches to “provide emotional and spiritual support” to women who have had abortions.
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The statement encourages families to open their homes to single parents and children through adoption and foster care.
Some mainline Protestant denominations have abandoned Christian teachings on the sanctity of human life, but others, including the Catholic Church and Seventh-Day Adventists, hold strong to the core belief that every human life is valuable because he/she is created in the image of God.
