Since 2012 is a presidential election year here in the United States, much will be said by Republicans, Democrats and third parties alike on the issue of abortion. It's a topic that often seems to either simmer or boil over, and with good reason. Watching the first evening of the Democratic National Convention, the issue was raised again and again by a steady stream of speakers, concluding with First Lady Michelle Obama. The common belief held by each was that a woman should have the right to choose what to do with her own body. I agree. In fact, I would go further by saying this right should apply to men as well!
The problem I have with this view as it pertains to women is that it fails to regard the life of another body- that of the one living within the the womb of the chooser. I would argue that "Freedom of Choice" proponents need to clarify their position by saying they believe a woman should have the right to choose what to do, not only with her own body, but also with that which has been conceived within her womb. And therein lies the rub. Does the one within the womb have a choice? Do the unborn have a voice? If not, who will speak for them? If a woman has the right to decide whether or not this fragile life will continue or end, why does such a choice only apply to a baby inside the womb. Yes, I said baby, as the term "fetus" is often translated to mean "not a person." Needless to say, I strongly disagree.
I understand that in some cases, albeit a very small percentage, the circumstances are such that the life of a baby is not able to be saved. Also, there are tragic instances when the mother will die in the process of delivering a child who will survive. However, these deaths do not occur because they were intended.
I know that rape is a horrible, unspeakable violation of one's most basic rights as a human being. I can't imagine the trauma, nor what it would feel like to know you've been impregnated by someone in this manner. In such a case, even many who would normally support the right to life for the unborn are willing to make an exception here. But, what about the rights of this unborn child who is in no way responsible for this heinous violation? Often overlooked is that in such a case, the unborn is a victim as well. Can you imagine one day coming to know that your conception was the result of rape? I can't. Yet, I can't help but think of how many such children, despite the odds being stacked against them, were the recipients of the love of their mothers and others too. How many of them have gone on to make significant contributions to society and the lives of others? I once heard a man share a testimony about how his mother tried to abort him, but the procedure was unsuccessful. As a result, she had second thoughts and decided to keep the baby boy. He, his mother, and all of those whose lives he has touched are so grateful Almighty God miraculously preserved his life!
From the accounts I have heard and read, I have never known of a mother who was grateful for having aborted a child, even under such conditions. I'm not saying there aren't any, but I would hazard to guess they are very few and far between. On the other hand, I have often heard of women expressing deep regret, wishing they had chosen differently. As a Christian, I'm of the belief that Almighty God, in the Person of Jesus the Son, created all things. With that, I believe that although many children are conceived under untimely and even tragic circumstances, each of them is significant. Unplanned as they sometimes may be, no child is an accident.
Viewing the Democratic National Convention, as one speaker after another trumpeted how women should have the right to choose what to do with their bodies, I couldn't help but notice the sad irony as the cameras panned the arena, many times fixing on infants and young children. From what I understand, the attendance of so many young ones is not commonplace for such a convention. Had the mothers of these children chosen differently, that auditorium, and this world, would be an emptier, sadder place.
