Why I am Pro-life
Norma McCorvey, better known as Jane Roe, was once a strong supporter of the pro-choice movement. In 1973 the Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade officially legalized abortions across the country. Although Norma’s case has changed the way our country views abortion, Norma has since become a strong pro-life advocate. Realizing her mistakes as a young adult, she has dedicated the rest of her life to overturning the case in which she once believed. Norma now identifies herself as a “born again Christian,” and tells women that “it [the abortion industry] was all a lie.” She has dedicated her life to exposing the corruption in abortion clinics and the lies they often tell women. Just like Norma, I believe that being pro-life is an essential view because of the Bible’s strong position on the importance of life as well as the personal benefits I have seen from it.
The principle the Bible has set for the sanctity of life is clear. Exodus 20:13 says “Thou shalt not kill.” This is an overt statement condemning murder in God’s eyes. In the New Testament Jesus repeats this command adding that even hatred is condemnable. I John 3:12 gives us the example of Cain. It tells us “we should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.”
Although the Bible certainly specifies that murder is a sin, many pro-choice supporters argue that a fetus does not gain human rights. Peter Singer, a strong pro-choice supporter once said that “If it comes to a clash between the supposed interests of potentially rational but not yet conscious beings and the final interest actually rational women, we should give preference to the women every time.” However his thinking is fundamentally flawed. A human life is not measured by its capability to reason, but by God’s values. Psalm 139:13-14 tells us “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are they works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” No mother, however rational she may be, should have the power to kill another human life.
The power to kill another human becomes especially personal to me when I think of my Cousin Debby, who recently delivered a premature baby girl, born two months early. The baby, who is now a week old, reminds me how fragile a child can be. She cannot defend herself, nor can she convey with words her desire to live, and with Peter Singer’s logic this baby still has not earned her right to live. If this logic is truly followed, any being which lacks the ability to reason is considered not fully human. Starting down this dangerous path can easily lead to infanticide, the murder of already born babies, and euthanasia, the murder of patients suffering from an incurable disease. Often euthanasia is intended for the mentally ill or those who may be a drag to society. Although these procedures are not legal in most countries, they are beginning to become more popular in the minds of many pro-choice advocates. Being pro-life not only protects unborn children, but it defends against an ideology which distorts the way we view human life.
Just like my cousin, several of my friends and family members have gone through similar experiences. My mother, who worked as a neonatal nurse, specialized in caring for premature infants. Many of these infants suffered from health issues which would make it impossible to live a regular life. From my mother, I often hear stories of the family’s and infants she worked with. Despite the various health issues of each baby, their value to God was not diminished. God’s standard should be the way in which we base our views on the value of life.
Those who support abortion place no value on God’s standards, instead they drive off women who are often desperate and confused. They kill infants that God created and cares for. Circumstances in my own life, such as my Cousin Debby’s new baby girl, remind me that human life is valuable. I firmly believe, because of the Bible’s strong position on the importance of life as well as the examples I have seen around me, that being pro-life movement, we can become a city on a hill that shines the truth to all nations.
Devotional submitted by:
Caleb Sokovich, Maranatha Baptist Academy
2nd place winner of the 2015 BFLW Essay Contest