Culture,  Politics,  Theology/Bible

Thirty-four Years of Legal Abortions

“The most consequential cultural and political event in American history in the past half century was the Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973. An argument can be made that it is rivaled by September 11, but that fateful day did not result in the deep realignment of religious, cultural, and political dynamics resulting from the Supreme Court’s ukase, which established an unlimited abortion license that wiped from the books of all fifty states any legal protection of unborn children. . . This Monday marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of Roe v. Wade. On January 23, 1973, the New York Times reported that the Court had ‘settled’ the dispute over abortion. Thirty-four years later, there is no more intensely contested issue in our public life.” –Richard John Neuhaus, First Things (January 2007)

[WARNING: Do not click the “more” button unless you are prepared to see vivid depictions of the reality of abortion.]

Today marks the thirty-fourth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. Over 47 million unborn babies have been killed by abortion since 1973. Abortion is legal until the moment of birth in all 50 states as determined by Roe vs. Wade. Even though President Bush signed a law outlawing partial-birth abortions that are performed in the last trimester, this law was challenged and has never been put into effect. It will go before this current session of the Supreme Court for a ruling as to its legality and enforcement. 43 % of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27% identify themselves as Catholic. 50% of women who have abortions use it as their sole means of birth control. Texas is the third leading state in performing abortions, following New York and California (See Be a Voice for Life and Heartlink).

I believe that many people are able to dodge this issue in their own consciences because they have been conditioned to do so by a culture of death and because the unborn themselves are silent and out of sight. One way to cure this indifference is by making images of abortion public.

Proverbs 24:11-12
11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to slaughter, O hold them back.
12 If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?

Maranatha.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

4 Comments

  • Kris

    Is there really any comment worthy of words?

    Pray for me my family, and our church that each of us will do more from here on to protect unborn children

  • Kris Weinschenker

    In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court left the genie out of the bottle. It is very difficult to take away a “right” once it is given (although prosecutors and judges have done a bang-up job of emasculating the Bill of Rights with legaleze).

    However, overturning Roe v. Wade at this point will only worsen and deepen a MUCH BIGGER problem that the Religious Right is blind to; the fact that many children are treated like property.

  • barry

    Denny,
    I am at a loss for words and am nauseated – not simply at the pictures, but at the state into which our culture has come. We are like the Canaanites of old, sacrificing their children to the gods. Only now, we are the gods ourselves. I can only think that people simply don’t know about this, otherwise how could it still be legal? Will not the souls of the aborted cry out for justice?

    Thanks for the post.

    Barry

  • Sally

    The last child in the video was just 2 weeks younger gestationally than my own children when they were born and appeared to be about the same size. To see that child, what could have been one of MY children, wrapped up in butcher paper like a piece of scrap meat has made me sick, sad, and angry.

    At 24 weeks gestation, that baby could have grasped a finger, gazed into a loved one’s eyes, been bothered by light and noise, lifted his head, pulled out his oxygen tubes, rolled over (yes, I’ve seen it!), grimaced in pain, or smiled during a dream. That was a PERSON with feelings, personality, and a future.

    I met a family during our stay in the NICU who were the parents of two surviving triplets born at 22 weeks. The doctors had to ask the mother’s permission to treat those babies upon delivery b/c it’s not until 23 weeks (the age of viability) that the doctors are legally bound to resuscitate and treat newborns. Denny, I may have even pointed these tiny babies out to you when you visited H&H in the NICU. I’m so happy to say that those two boys are thriving toddlers who will celebrate their third birthday on February 11. You can see them at http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/b/blaneanddylan The password is hunter2004 (you don’t have to enter your email address).

    If there are any supporters of late-term abortions who come across this, I beg you to go to my website or the website above and look at the pictures of these 22- & 25-weekers and read the stories of their strength and perserverance and personalities, displayed at an age when YOU wouldn’t even consider them alive.

    Whew. Sorry for that rant, Denny. I usually don’t understand half of the stuff on your blog (unless it’s about the music or sports), but this topic definitely strikes a nerve!

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