With God in the mix, it can get murky

What is sacred to you? And what do you suppose God – insert yours here – holds in the same regard? And might there be a discrepancy between the two?

That is, could there be a disagreement between the Supreme Being and little old us, as to what to value most highly and why?

Yep, I’d say so. Just to name one small item, I’ve mentioned before that some of us human types believe that once you’re pregnant, you have to stay that way. But “God” doesn’t appear to care – or, if you prefer a different term, “nature.”

Throwing out the high and low figures, about 20 percent of all pregnancies end in natural abortion, what we usually call miscarriages. Yes, the definition of the word “abortion” includes both deliberate and natural termination, but the enforced gestation folks have tried their best to make it synonymous with “murder.”

Leaving that aside for the moment, let’s take a closer look at those two words, “nature” and “God.”

I’ll postulate that if nature causes an abortion, there is no moral implication attached, as the natural world (in this sense) is impersonal, devoid of conscious intent and purpose. This isn’t to say the event lacks meaning, nor to dismiss the pain of the loss, only that a judgment of right or wrong needn’t apply.

So from that point of view, it’s just the usual order of things sometimes, a value-free occurrence. This works for me, since I don’t believe a nonviable fetus is inherently sacred, but is only made so by the totally personal choice to carry it to term.

Ah, but there’s the rub, because many disagree with me on the issue, passing definite judgment on deliberate abortions. And it’s equally clear that the decision is a deeply felt matter, pro-choice or not, hardly value-free from our human vantage. Nature might be indifferent, but we aren’t.

But if I bring “God” back into the mix, in place of nature, that’s a whole ’nother kettle of fish, isn’t it? If my conviction that it’s OK not to sanctify the fetus rubs you vigorously the wrong way, it’s likely because of what your religious beliefs tell you about your God. And when a certain type of God, usually monotheistic, sits down at the poker table, it’s a whole different game.

Then, if you’re dealt a bad hand, and if you believe God is the one and only Creator, omniscient, all-powerful and whatnot, taking a personal interest in you, your prayers, hopes and dreams – i.e., someone who cares about you – what happens?

If God is good, and therefore whatever she does is good, then it’d only be reasonable to conclude that natural abortions also are “good.” And therefore, if it’s good for God to create/allow them, why isn’t it also good for us to do the same?

But there I go again, making trouble where I shouldn’t, although my intent is honorable. Because, as it’s a hard call to say that God did good in “killing your baby,” one natural path for a believer in a personal God to go down is this: God is good. Therefore it must be me who is bad. I am sinful and evil, and therefore God did good to punish me.

Or how about another twisted route? This is a real racetrack to hell, the Projection Speedway. If you and God aren’t to blame, then how about those lousy Muslims? Or the blacks/Jews/white trailer trash down the street? Project, in God’s name, and hate with his full approval.

I think both of these beliefs are sick, twisted, heinous distortions of our highest human nature. I also believe they’re the root source of most of the bad things, all done in the name of the good, by well-intentioned folks. Or not so well-intentioned, alas, as many “evil-doers” use God as cover for atrocities of purely human origin.

I think it might be better to leave our various competing gods out of the mix entirely and hold ourselves accountable. Some abortions – which is to say, events – are beyond our call. Some aren’t. And we can decide for ourselves where these lie on the ethical continuum.

It’s pretty low to say God tells you to hate folks with different skins, sexual orientations and/or beliefs, as those all appear to occur naturally. In any case, God has nothing to do with whom any of us condemn.

Hate ain’t sacred.