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[[Abortion]], the intentional termination of a pregnancy, is opposed by virtually all [[conservatives]] and devout [[Christians]].  There are numerous references in the Bible to an unborn child in the womb as a unique person.

[[Abortion]], the intentional termination of a [[pregnancy]], is opposed by virtually all [[conservatives]] and devout [[Christians]].  There are numerous references in the [[Bible]] to an unborn child in the womb as a unique person.

The best that a supporter of abortion can do in citing the Bible is to refer to Exodus 21:22-25, which imposes a penalty to be determined by the father for an ''accidental'' miscarriage caused by striking a pregnant woman:<ref>New American Standard Version</ref>

The best that a supporter of abortion can do in citing the Bible is to refer to Exodus 21:22-25, which imposes a penalty to be determined by the father for an ''accidental'' [[miscarriage]] caused by striking a pregnant woman:<ref>New American Standard Version</ref>

:And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide.  But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.  

:And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide.  But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.  

This passage is taken as an injunction by [[God]] against the killing of an fetus,<ref>[http://www.abortion-and-bible.com/#chratt C. Ratt, A Christian View of Abortion]</ref> while others note that the punishment proscribed by God for this ''accidental'' killing of an unborn child is much less severe that the punishment proscribed for the ''intentional'' murder of another human being (as in Exodus 21:12).

This passage is taken as an injunction by [[God]] against the killing of a [[fetus]],<ref>[http://www.abortion-and-bible.com/#chratt C. Ratt, A Christian View of Abortion]</ref> while others note that the punishment proscribed by God for this ''accidental'' killing of an unborn child is much less severe that the punishment proscribed for the ''intentional'' murder of another human being (as in Exodus 21:12).

==Denominational stances on abortion==

==Denominational stances on abortion==