Keeping Life First in the Nation
NH holds the First in the Nation Presidential Primary. Yes, in a few short weeks NH residents will have an opportunity to vote. I was listening to a radio talk show yesterday and the host was talking about some surveys. He noted that people are not happy with government, but a majority of people are happy with their own lives.
It is an interesting dichotomy. It is complex. There are so many issues at play. For me, the right to life is the most important human rights issue of our day. Let me explain, before you go off on war and terror and economics.
Protecting the right to life enables us all to live better. When people care about people, they are more productive, they provide for one another, they don’t abuse others, they don’t steal, kill, cheat, and lie, they find creative solutions to problems, they connect, they protect. Respecting the value of every life, rich or poor, young or old, strong or weak, intelligent or dim, attractive or not, elevates a community. Just imagine the whole society, everyone caring for others.
Perhaps, I am dreaming of a misty utopia that can never exist. There would still be narcissistic people, acts of violence and cruelty will exist as long as the earth remains. It is a matter of degree and impact.
Our society has not only accepted the brutal murder of about 60million children, but by making it a legal act we have decreased our society’s general respect for life. Looking at statistical data about the timing of lightening abortion restrictions and the increases in violent crime, child abuse and other crimes is very telling.
The law is a teacher. Laws have always dictated behavior. Of course, there will be lawbreakers. The majority of people will adhere to laws they believe are just. The media and the abortion vendors have flooded the culture with propaganda that makes abortion seem just. “A woman’s right to choose… A right to privacy… A decision between a woman and her doctor… etc.”
Instead of lawmakers and the media clearly articulating that every single human being deserves protection, they allow the propaganda to harden the hearts of the masses to the severe detriment of society in general.
Instead of exposing the humanity of the children and exposing the brutality of the abortion vendors, the media started legitimizing this heinous act by comparing the environments where the killing would take place, that some were in better condition than some hospitals. It started with this kind of logistical cognitive dissonance. It will continue until that changes.
We have a few candidates that claim to be pro-life. They say they would protect the right to life for all people, well, except for some people, if they fall into certain categories or other criteria.
It seems to me, if a woman can choose abortion in the case of rape, then she could choose for any other reason. That is precisely how we got abortion on demand, at any time for any reason. If in some arbitrarily contrived criteria only some children are worthy of protection, then the criteria can change. This defies the pro-life premiss altogether.
There is either a baby worth protecting or there isn’t.
When it comes to our elderly, infirm, disabled, or otherwise undesirable to lawmakers, will we accept the coming wave of euthanasia as readily? It think so. Our society has already been hardened by abortion. Unless, people rise up and stop it. In every election, in every piece of legislation, in every conversation, in every action, we can make a difference, if we all rise up.
The abortion rate is down all over the country. In general, violent crime is down too. There are numerous theories about why. We have hit an inflection point. We can bring it in, but not passively. It will take every single one of us; respecting every life, loving every person, and being ever vigilant.
Abortion has a terrible stigma and we can keep it that way. Let’s keep up the work; do the things that have worked, do things differently, use different vocabulary, counter the propaganda at every turn, use the best strategies, pray for wisdom, act always with honor, and love truly. Let us not bring each other down. Let us never be hateful to any person.
My beloved Pastor Small used to say, “Some sins are just more visible than others.” We all require redemption from one thing or another, so let us carry on with grace and mercy at all times.