By Judie Brown
When we read stories from families who have suffered through illness with young children, we cannot help but see the precious gift of human beings, as we know that every single person is distinct and unrepeatable in every way. So I wonder why it is that not all people understand this basic fact regarding how babies come into our world and that God is the Creator.
Recent incidents in the news compel me to make this query.
In Ohio, there is a battle going on over Issue 1, which will appear on the November ballot. Called “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety,” the measure will codify abortion and all other so-called reproductive “rights” in the state’s constitution. Some of those who oppose this measure represent Bans Off Ohio—folks who are self-described reproductive justice activists.
While we know that justice is “the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor,” those who clamor for ending the lives of preborn children have no clue that they represent an evil that opposes justice.
And sometimes these horrific misunderstandings emanate from within our own ranks. For example, I recently read about disagreements among pro-life people in Ohio. Kellyanne Conway and “Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony’s president, defined what they mean by ‘pro-life’ when they wrote in a Washington Post op-ed that the anti-abortion movement should embrace a minimum standard of banning abortion after the 15th week of pregnancy.” Austin Beigel, president of End Abortion Ohio, does not consider the 15-week policy that Susan B. Anthony is supporting as “pro-life.” He once said, “We are looking for the full abolition of abortion legally to protect all human life from conception to natural death.”
Frankly, that should be the position of all people who define themselves as pro-life. As we often inquire of those who disagree with us, which babies are you willing to sacrifice on the altar of political compromise? Do we win for the Lord or for elections?
This is a fair question once we consider that those who favor abortion have no problem screaming their demand that the law should protect every abortion. As family physician Julie Amaon—who is protesting a possible pro-life decision from the Supreme Court on the abortion pill case—argues, “This decision will also have far reaching implications on not only those who need access to safe abortion, but also on countless other established medical treatments as politics override science. . . . The fear and urgency is [sic] palpable in our patients’ voices. They are frustrated with the confusing laws that vary from state to state and sometimes day to day.”
When we unpack her comments, we see immediately that this family physician is more concerned about the safety of killing a member of the human family—the preborn child—than she is about ensuring that justice is served for both the mom and baby.
Once we get that point, we understand that the twisted thinking of abortion supporters is based on a lie and fueled by self-interest, not by truth or scientific evidence.
But you see, God is real! He is the Creator of the babies whose lives people debate about as if they are nonhuman physical problems. He is the Creator of every person, including those who strive to defend and protect the killing of preborn children. And to those who advocate such crimes against the innocent, we repeat Galatians 6:7: “Don’t delude yourself: God is not to be fooled; whatever someone sows, that is what he will reap.”
Choose life, and never stop proclaiming that every person is called by God to choose life, reject evil, and be joyful.