In his painting, Quiet Omission, the painter Seyiekielie, skilfully conveys the message of how important human life is. He speaks on behalf of the voiceless babies who cannot defend their rights to live and exist. A look at this painting and the message behind it can help one to appreciate life in any form. He explicitly explains that the child in the womb reaches out his hand and pleads with his mother not to take away his life. The thorns in the background represent the scalpel of a doctor that is about to dig into the tender flesh of the baby in the womb. He strongly believes that human life begins at conception and is of the opinion that we should protect the baby in the womb, even if it is just a tiny, formless embryo. This painting thus compels one to look at life with all its value and uniqueness and is a reminder that life in whatever form is very special in the sight of God. Today the world is debating on whether it is ethically right to kill the foetus inside the womb that cannot speak to defend his or her right to live. As one struggles with this question, this painting utters loud and clear that, everyone has the right to live, even an unborn child. However small or insignificant it may be, it matters tremendously to God who carefully put together every part of our being and designed it.
Nagas in the past have had their own ethical explanations about the value of human life. Our fore parents believed that preservation of life is one of the primary concerns of the Nagas because life is considered sacred and valuable. People in the past never killed unless it was in self defence. To kill the harmless and the innocent was a great offence. Severe punishment was given to the one who took away life without reasons, particularly the lives of the ones who could not defend themselves. The Bible also tells that God views life as having great value and killing of people, even a foetus is against the will of God and is ethically and morally wrong. One clearly sees the viewpoint of God in the Book of Jeremiah. God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you”. Also in Psalms 139:13 the Psalmist expresses so beautifully, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb,” then again in verse 16 he writes, “Your eyes saw my unformed body”. These verses clearly reveal the significance of each individual’s life and are indications that God knows and cares for each person, including the unborn child in the womb. In God’s eyes even a tiny formless embryo is precious and distinct and God has a plan for human life even before a child is born into the world. Therefore, no one has the right to stop the child from living out the plan of God. The womb is also the most serene place in the world. God skilfully knit the baby in the womb so that the baby will stay safe and warm inside for nine months. Hence it should not become a place of pain and violence, but a safe resting place for the unborn innocent life, so beautifully crafted by God.
However, abortions are sometimes necessary when both the life of the baby and the mother are at risk; when there is no other way out but to save one rather than to let both die. But sadly many people misuse this medical termination of pregnancy for their own purposes. Mothers who abort their babies and doctors who perform abortion arbitrarily should realise that it is another form of murder. Hence, the mother who aborts her unborn child and also the doctor who performs the abortion are both murderers. No matter under what circumstance a baby is conceived, the unborn child is a living human being and no one has the authority to kill, not even the mother. Therefore it is the duty of every right thinking person to help protect the unborn child and to avoid practices that subvert life and humanity. It’s our duty to help save the defenceless unborn child to come into the world, to live life to the fullest and to fulfil the unique plans that God has in store for each individual.
Are you considering abortion today? Have a second thought. Do not deny the child’s right to enter into this world. Choose not to kill the baby. The child you have allowed to live today will add joy in your life tomorrow and one fine day when you hold this tiny little thing in your arms, you will learn to fall in love with your baby. Let the unborn child get the opportunity to live.
Nagas in the past have had their own ethical explanations about the value of human life. Our fore parents believed that preservation of life is one of the primary concerns of the Nagas because life is considered sacred and valuable. People in the past never killed unless it was in self defence. To kill the harmless and the innocent was a great offence. Severe punishment was given to the one who took away life without reasons, particularly the lives of the ones who could not defend themselves. The Bible also tells that God views life as having great value and killing of people, even a foetus is against the will of God and is ethically and morally wrong. One clearly sees the viewpoint of God in the Book of Jeremiah. God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you”. Also in Psalms 139:13 the Psalmist expresses so beautifully, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb,” then again in verse 16 he writes, “Your eyes saw my unformed body”. These verses clearly reveal the significance of each individual’s life and are indications that God knows and cares for each person, including the unborn child in the womb. In God’s eyes even a tiny formless embryo is precious and distinct and God has a plan for human life even before a child is born into the world. Therefore, no one has the right to stop the child from living out the plan of God. The womb is also the most serene place in the world. God skilfully knit the baby in the womb so that the baby will stay safe and warm inside for nine months. Hence it should not become a place of pain and violence, but a safe resting place for the unborn innocent life, so beautifully crafted by God.
However, abortions are sometimes necessary when both the life of the baby and the mother are at risk; when there is no other way out but to save one rather than to let both die. But sadly many people misuse this medical termination of pregnancy for their own purposes. Mothers who abort their babies and doctors who perform abortion arbitrarily should realise that it is another form of murder. Hence, the mother who aborts her unborn child and also the doctor who performs the abortion are both murderers. No matter under what circumstance a baby is conceived, the unborn child is a living human being and no one has the authority to kill, not even the mother. Therefore it is the duty of every right thinking person to help protect the unborn child and to avoid practices that subvert life and humanity. It’s our duty to help save the defenceless unborn child to come into the world, to live life to the fullest and to fulfil the unique plans that God has in store for each individual.
Are you considering abortion today? Have a second thought. Do not deny the child’s right to enter into this world. Choose not to kill the baby. The child you have allowed to live today will add joy in your life tomorrow and one fine day when you hold this tiny little thing in your arms, you will learn to fall in love with your baby. Let the unborn child get the opportunity to live.
