Note: This post was originally published to my personal social media account October 2020.

Have you held a sign, marched in a rally, or dialogued with someone who vehemently disagrees with your opinion? These last few years have provided ample opportunity. I tend to prefer in-person conversations about tough topics and behind the scenes service for causes I believe in. For me, as an Enneagram 9 (peacemaker personality who hates - but also values - but again hates the necessity of conflict), speaking up can be tough! Like my body involuntarily shaking kind of tough. A brave moment for me, however, was in college when I taped red duct tape, markered with the capital letters: L I F E, to my mouth as I spent the day in silent solidarity for lives lost and affected by abortion. Good conversations followed and I grew in bravery. A great strength and beauty of our generation is our desire to decry the wrongs of those who have gone before and to use our voice and privilege to stand up for disenfranchised populations.

Just like prior generations, however, we too have blind spots regarding the injustices of our day. We view ourselves (I assume) as fairly educated and morally sound and are shocked at the obvious wrongs perpetuated in our history. Yet, future generations will certainly be baffled at our inability to see what looms right before our noses. Hindsight is 20/20 (and I think most of us want to see 2020 in hindsight). When we grow up in a society, with human rights violations so ingrained in our culture, recognition takes an uncomfortable amount of effort. Then, with knowledge comes responsibility to speak truth and act compassionately which requires more effort (I mean, I can barely keep up with laundry for real).

As you read along, you may be thinking of a particular injustice, past or present. There's a lot. My arguments will focus on this: that the legalized killing of unborn humans is one of the greatest injustices, in moral and numerical value, of our present day and the responsibility to right this wrong lands on our heads. Let me attempt below to convince you of this. For if I succeed, I hope to charge you to become a stalwart advocate for policy change in the area of legalized abortion and empowering service towards the vulnerable mothers, fathers, and children affected.

First, let me caveat. I understand many of you may have mothered or fathered (or grandmothered / grandfathered) a child who was aborted. I do not assume to know how you feel about this - whether you dismiss it easily or if the memory weighs heavily. Understand that my heart and arguments hold no hate towards you. I see you with compassion and without contempt. There is a lot of deception and misinformation around this topic. For those who desire it, there is healing and freedom from shame post abortion. (1)

And back to it...

Argument 1:

The legalized killing of unborn humans is one of the greatest injustices in moral value of our present day:

Bear with me...I would have had a 4.0 if not for the B in my college Philosophy class. Curses on you logic! I'll try my best.

Premise 1: It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being.

Premise 2: Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being. Therefore,

Conclusion: Abortion is morally wrong. (2)

We've got some medical textbooks lying around the house for obvious reasons. Page 2 of The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, the premiere textbook for medical students around the country, defines Zygote as "This cell results from the union of an oocyte and a sperm during fertilization. A zygote or embryo is the beginning of a new human being." (3)

"The zygote is composed of human DNA and other human molecules, so its nature is undeniably human and not some other species.

The new human zygote has a genetic composition that is absolutely unique to itself, different from any other human that has ever existed, including that of its mother (thus disproving the claim that what is involved in abortion is merely 'a woman and her body').

This DNA includes a complete “design,” guiding not only early development but even hereditary attributes that will appear in childhood and adulthood, from hair and eye color to personality traits. It is also quite clear that the earliest human embryo is biologically alive. It fulfills the four criteria needed to establish biological life: metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction.

Finally, is the human zygote merely a new kind of cell or is it a human organism; that is, a human being? Scientists define an organism as a complex structure of interdependent elements constituted to carry on the activities of life by separately-functioning but mutually dependent organs. The human zygote meets this definition with ease. Once formed, it initiates a complex sequence of events to ready it for continued development and growth: The zygote acts immediately and decisively to initiate a program of development that will, if uninterrupted by accident, disease, or external intervention, proceed seamlessly through formation of the definitive body, birth, childhood, adolescence, maturity, and aging, ending with death. This coordinated behavior is the very hallmark of an organism. By contrast, while a mere collection of human cells may carry on the activities of cellular life, it will not exhibit coordinated interactions directed towards a higher level of organization.

Thus, the scientific evidence is quite plain: at the moment of fusion of human sperm and egg, a new entity comes into existence which is dis-tinctly human, alive, and an individual organism - a living, and fully human, being." (4)

Since science proves that abortion kills a human being, the conclusion is that abortion is morally wrong.

"Human rights" should include all humans, don't you agree?

Argument 2:

The legalized killing of unborn humans is one of the greatest injustices in numerical value of our present day:

There have been 60 million deaths of unborn humans since Roe v Wade. (5) The sheer magnitude of these numbers demands our attention. A little background for those unfamiliar: states are not required to report abortion statistics. Some have chosen to not collect or submit. So, all abortion statistics (by the CDC and pro-abortion research Guttmacher institute) are underreported. (6) California has not reported their numbers since the 1980's and it is our most populous state (7) (a population of ten million higher than our second highest state Texas which reports about 50-75K abortions annually). Our Sunshine State also boasts the highest number of abortion clinics. (8) So, we can confidently assess that the numbers we have are far underrepresented. States report some years and not others which is one of the reasons we can't assert as of yet whether abortions have dropped at a greater rate under Democrat or Republican administrations (a popular but false argument on social media right now) (9). What we know, via the Guttmacher Institute, is that annual abortions are reported to be 860,000-1.1 million a year gathered in years 2010-2017 (10). Only heart disease, our number one reported killer at about 650,000 deaths in the US annually, comes remotely close. (11) It still falls short of the number of intentionally killed humans in the womb. For further perspective, for the year 2017 the CDC data reported 16,000-19,000 murders. (12) Every one of those losses of life is devastating. Yet, this death toll is reached in one week's time via abortion. There are many injustices in our nation. But, a human cannot have any other right or pursuit if he or she does not first possess life!

What then is our responsibility with this knowledge of injustice in year 2020?

Some, even those who consider themselves anti abortion, argue that we can't "legislate morality" but must seek to change hearts or fix the ills and injustices of society first and foremost.

Martin Luther King Jr. would disagree with such reasoning and expressed so eloquently in a speech following his march from Selma to Montgomery and in argument for the Voting Rights Act of 1965:

"It may be true that you can’t legislate integration, but you can legislate desegregation. It may be true that morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true that the law can’t make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important also. So while the law may not change the hearts of men, it does change the habits of men. And when you change the habits of men, pretty soon the attitudes and the hearts will be changed. And so there is a need for strong legislation constantly to grapple with the problems we face." (13)

History reveals the "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" circular nature of laws impacting hearts / moral conscience and moral conscience / hearts impacting laws. Consider how the following laws have ended or significantly minimized injustices: enslaving black people was commonplace - until it was rightly recognized as horrific (by only some at the time) and abolished by the 13th Amendment in 1865. Child labor was the way of things - until it was restricted in the 1930's through the Fair Labor Standards Act. Women were denied the right to vote - until suffragists fought and won the right through the 19th Amendment in 1920. All of these victories were hard won in their day, but now you would be hard pressed to find an American advocating for enslaving Black people, 13 year old coal mine workers, or the unsuitability of women voting.

Legislature to end legalized abortion is necessary and inevitable in a society where science and human rights are valued. It will not end all violence against the unborn, but it can "restrain" and "change the habits of men" which pretty soon "changes attitudes and the hearts" as MLK Jr so well argued.

For those who undermine this cause by arguing we need not push for legislature change, but instead "minimize abortions by making our society a place where we no longer need abortion." Isn't that akin to saying in the 1860's: "we don't need to abolish slavery, we just need to minimize slavery by creating a society where we no longer need enslaved people." Think that would sound good to the enslaved Black people at the time? Does it sound good to you? No, not me either. We need to end grave injustices perpetrated against the vulnerable as a matter of urgency. Concordantly we also need to make our nation a compassionate place for poor women and families, BIPOC women, teen women, college aged women, unmarried women, working women, etc. who find themselves with a life growing inside them and are scared or overwhelmed. So often the reasoning behind an abortion begins with "I can't." Let us empower and support women to say "I can," hold men to accountability for the children they bear, and help craft a society where, yes, abortion is no longer desirable.

I have been volunteering with a teen mother ministry for five years now and am amazed at the thousands of people who come alongside us to support our strong and loving mommas. We see the "it takes a village" mantra played out as people send a steady stream of diapers, clothes, baby gear, notes, monetary donations, prayers, meals, hygiene items, grocery gift cards, etc. our way. As you live out your pro-life convictions consider all the ways you might support mothers and children in the legislature and through practical means.

Why talk about this topic now? Well....you may have noticed it as prominent in the news as the election is in full swing and ACB has been confirmed to the Supreme Court. The Biden / Kamala ticket has promised to reverse the Hyde Amendment (14) and codify Roe v Wade into law (15) if elected which is of highest concern. One must weigh the responsibility of voting into power a team who will celebrate and strengthen what is arguably the greatest injustice of our current nation.

Abortion can be likened, in its dehumanizing of a human being to the point of death, to slavery and the Holocaust. If I were given a similar chance, to vote for a president who was anti slavery in policy (but undesirable in many regards) vs. a president who was pro slavery in policy (with a vice president who celebrates and defends it) I know which position I would take. If I were given a choice to vote-in a president who could end the Holocaust (but was undesirable in many regards) vs. a president would strengthen its continuance (and a vice president who celebrates and defends it) I know which choice I would make.

No matter who is elected to lead our country next, there will be much work ahead. Even after Roe v Wade is overturned (as I believe it must), there will be work ahead. We continue to fight against injustice. This is why I use my small voice - I don't believe I am saying anything especially profound or new. But, I want my voice added to the throng. And I will fight all my life to see justice for the vulnerable population of the unborn. And I will fight mercifully for the mothers who need compassion, kindness, and support.

Thank you for considering these arguments. I believe in the power of discourse but not "mob mentality," name calling, or shaming others who disagree. Because social media comments can become a stew of these unfortunately, I am asking that if you would like to discuss objections or arguments please DM me. I am a 9 people! Don't send me to an early grave with public debates. Private conversations give us time to respond in a no stress situation (personally, as a mom I don't want to constantly be checking my phone at the expense of my children and feeling pressure to answer right away). I reserve the right to delete comments that go against these guidelines or are disrespectful to ANYONE (me, a commenter, the unborn, a parent who has aborted, etc.)

This post is already long and I cannot touch on every argument here. For further responses to common pro-life objections please refer to the following link (which includes: Abortion can be medically necessary, women will die from illegal abortions, a fetus is not a person, what about cases of rape, body my choice, and others)

https://prolifereplies.liveaction.org/

Sources:

1. http://www.internationalhelpline.org/(866) 482-5433 | Provides confidential care 24/7 for those needing help after abortion. The helpline is staffed by consultants who have personally experienced the pain of abortion, but have also found hope and healing. Also find support at: https://www.facebook.com/SupportAfterAbortion/.

2. Argument taken from Scott Klusendorf in his article published at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/vote-like-no-one-else-will

3. Keith L. Moore and T.V.N. Persaud, The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology 8th Edition

4. Copied from The Best Pro-Life Responses for Secular Audiences. Please read more at https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF11J30.pdf and to review their cited sources on the science.

5. https://www.grrtl.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Abortion_US.pdf

6. https://www.deseret.com/2017/2/26/20606961/why-we-don-t-know-how-many-abortions-there-are-in-america#anti-abortion-demonstrators-arrive-on-capitol-hill-in-washington-d-c-during-the-march-for-life-on-jan-27-2017-abortion-is-one-of-the-most-divisive-issues-in-the-country-yet-no-one-knows-exactly-how-many-abortions-are-performed-each-year-people-on-both-side-of-the-issue-want-accurate-reporting-so-why-doesnt-america-have-it

7. https://worldpopulationreview.com/states

8. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-many-abortion-clinics-are-in-america-each-state-2017-2

9. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/abortion-rates-presidencies/

10. https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/abortion/Tab_US.asp

11. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm

12.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm

13. https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/archivist-finds-long-lost-recording-of-martin-luther-king-jr-s-speech-at-ucla (Start at minute 34 on video for quote)

14. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/us/politics/joe-biden-hyde-amendment.html. The Hyde Amendment, named for former Representative Henry Hyde, a Republican from Illinois, was first passed in 1976 and is renewed every year, with occasional changes to the list of exceptions. It bans federal funding of abortion, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, and it affects Medicaid funding of abortion

15. https://www.christianpost.com/news/pro-lifers-slam-bidens-promise-to-codify-roe-v-wade-if-elected.html