If you have followed my blog, you know that I avoid politically charged topics or even theological debate that separates Christian denominations. However, after much prayer, I believe the value I place on every stage of human life, including the later stage I’m in now, is as much a part of my Christian life as anything else I have written.
In 1973, there was no ultrasound or mapping of the human genome. Today, 97% of biologists worldwide agree that human life begins at conception when that first living cell contains the DNA map that shows the life that is developing and growing in the womb.
Josef Stalin, after killing millions of Russians who opposed him, wrote this; “The death of one person is tragic. A million deaths is simply a statistic.” How about 64,600,000 deaths? Slightly more than that have been killed by legal abortions in the United States alone between 1973 and this week. To me that is way beyond just a statistic or even tragic. It is unthinkable.
Due to advances in medical treatment of pregnant women, experts say less than one percent of legal abortions are done to save the life of the mother. That is still a lot of very difficult decisions to make, but the rest of those innocent lives are simply sacrificed on the altar of convenience; given a death sentence for the actions of others.
I used to think that rape was a valid reason for abortion at a very early stage, but after reading and hearing several people who were the product of rape describe their gratitude to their mother for allowing them to live, I have changed my mind. One retired army colonel put it simply. “When a woman becomes pregnant from a rape, there are two victims. You don’t save one by killing the other one.” He is now spending time with his grown children and grandchildren (none of whom would exist if he had been aborted).
Life is a precious gift. Let us put ours to good use with every breath and beat of our heart.