In two previous Langstaff Letters, we looked at abortion. In this letter, I want to bring a few more matters to our attention.

MIRACULOUS MOMENT

The photo above captures a miraculous moment when on August 19th 1999, photographer Michael Clancy shot the “Fetal Hand Grasp” — his picture of a 21-week-old fetus grasping a doctor’s finger during innovative surgery to correct spina bifida. The photo, which first appeared in USA Today on September 7th, 1999, quickly spread across the globe as proof of development in the womb and was later cited during congressional debates on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which passed in 2000 (foxnews.com)

MEN GETTING PREGNANT & HAVING ABORTIONS

It is hard to believe, but a medical doctor testifying as a witness before the House Judiciary Committee on abortion rights was asked to define a woman, to which she responded, “I believe everyone can identify for themselves.” She was then asked, “Do you believe that men can get pregnant and have abortions?” and her reply was, “Yes.” (foxnews.com).

These answers reveal that abortion is actually part of a larger movement to strip society of any understanding of the biological reality of men and women and their gender. Most people simply accept the reality concerning how we were born. We were either male or female, and you can’t change that. Consequently, men cannot get pregnant and cannot have abortions.

All this should show what has happened in the world today, that such statements can be made even in Washington in a House Committee Meeting.

ABORTIONS AND THE CHURCH

The issue of abortion has shown the great division within the church today. On one side are many mainline denominations and on the side are Catholics, Evangelicals, and Pentecostals.

An example of the first is the statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church opposing the overturn of Roe vs. Wade.

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church released a statement stating opposition to the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

The ECLA, a medium-sized denomination with approximately 3 million members in the U.S., made the announcement via its website and social media. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, the head of the ECLA, cited the church’s 1991 social teachings document as the basis for the church’s support of abortion access.

‘The people of this church and this country have various and perhaps contrasting responses to the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion on abortion,’ Bishop Eaton wrote. ‘Regardless of where each of us stands on the issue, the ELCA’s 1991 social statement on abortion speaks to all of us.’

The church teaches that abortion must be regulated but not outlawed, according to the 1991 document. ECLA acknowledges a fetus as human life and a “neighbor” of the woman and the community.

‘In the social statement, this church holds both women and ‘developing life in the womb’ as neighbors. This church declares that any person who has become unexpectedly pregnant has moral agency to discern what to do, and this decision-making usually happens in a community – not only with the person who is pregnant but with God, family, partners, friends, doctors, and pastors. While this church longs for a future with fewer abortions every year, the social statement points out that outlawing all or nearly all abortions is not the way to do this. The ELCA opposes both ‘the total lack of regulation of abortion’ and ‘legislation that would outlaw abortion in all circumstances” (foxnews.com).

POST ROE VS. WADE

If the Supreme Court rules against Roe vs. Wade, it will not eliminate abortion in the nation. It would mean that the decision would go back to the individual states. Consequently, some states would outlaw abortion or restrict it, others would approve of abortions, and some would even promote them.

By the way, if Roe Vs. Wade is ruled against by the Supreme Court, it will be because, as many believe, the law was flawed and needed to be changed. It was based on the 14th amendment related to the right to privacy.

If we have the demise of Roe Vs. Wade, it is not the end of abortion but the beginning of an ongoing battle. Abortion is the human rights issue of this generation.

SUMMER OF RAGE

The pro-abortion movement forces are promoting a summer of rage even before the Supreme Court announces the verdict. Once again, it shows us the state of affairs in America today. We are a radically divided country.

ABORTION INVOLVES TWO LIVES

It must always be recognized that abortion involves two lives – a mother and a child. We need to be concerned about both. Fortunately, there have risen many centers that seek to help women facing the decision about abortion by pointing out the other available alternatives, including adoption. I understand there are now more such centers as compared to abortion clinics.

So, we need to pray and have compassion for both the unborn and also the mothers (and fathers) who face such a decision.

A WORD FROM DR. BEN CARSON

Dr. Carson is a world-renowned medical doctor who recently served as a cabinet member under the Trump administration. Here is his word on abortion. Let Dr. Carson have the last word in this letter.

“I feel like our culture has forgotten—or ignored—some very important and basic lessons when it comes to the development of human life. 

Our society has been infected by an anti-life ideology, treating its most vulnerable members as disposable objects. Abortion that was once thought of as a last resort in a medical emergency has become the new normal. 

Medicine tells us that life begins at the moment of conception. It also tells us when an unborn baby develops a heartbeat, brainwaves, and nervous system. Yet, despite all of this, the unborn are not treated as though they are alive or even human.

As a surgeon, I have operated on infants pre-birth. I can assure you that they are very much alive.

Life is a precious gift that has been given to us from our creator. No person is disposable, and every life is precious according to Him. 

I believe that everyone deserves life, even those who have been denied this right by our society. I believe that together we can make a difference and bring dignity and a voice to the unborn. I also believe that I’m not alone in this belief”(lifenews.com).

RESOURCES

https://www.foxnews.com/story/ten-years-later-boys-hand-of-hope-continues-to-spark-debate

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-committee-witness-men-get-pregnant-have-abortions

https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/evangelical-lutheran-church-abortion-must-be-legal-accessible

Dr. Ben Carson: Unborn Babies are Human Beings Because “Life Begins at the Moment of Conception”

Photo – https://clinicquotes.com/pro-choice-to-pro-life-photographer-michael-clancy/