On this momentous day celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I have been thinking about something that brings the term "equality" down to where I live. Of the people most oppressed in today's society, none has found more injustice than the unborn.
4,000 children die to the hands of abortion every day, yet we do not protect them. I have a hard time understanding why. The numbers are staggering. If these death numbers were produced by war or a dictators attempt to infanticide, we would do something about it. Sadly, however, the blood is on our own hands. Our nation cries out for Freedom of Choice and in turn the politicians give us what we want - whether or not it is good for us (especially spiritually).
Thomas Jefferson penned these opening words to our Declaration of Independence in 1776 -
"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness."
Could it be any coincidence that Jefferson spoke of a Creator and talked about all being created equally? If we are all created equally, doesn't that also promote the idea that we are a person even in the most fragile stage of our creation? And is it any coincidence that the first of our unalienable rights is LIFE?
Tomorrow, we turn our nation over to the first African American President. While I can appreciate the great strides this makes for further tearing down the racial divides in our nation, I also have to realize that our new President is NOT a supporter for the rights of the unborn. In fact, one of his campaign promises was to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act. According to Wikipedia:
"The Freedom of Choice Act" declares that it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health. This act also prohibits a federal, state, or local governmental entity from denying or interfering with a woman's right to exercise such choices; or discriminating against the exercise of those rights in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information."
Our new President will be in the driver's seat, taking us all along for the ride toward - headed toward a destination many of us did NOT choose.
There is a voice speaking for the unborn in congress. U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (who is also a medical doctor) first introduced the Sanctity of Human Life act to Congress in 2007. The Sanctity of Human Life Act defines life as beginning at fertilization and embryos or fetuses - including those fertilized in test tubes and human clones - as people with constitutional rights.
Many states have laws enacted that mothers must be informed (usually including a ultrasound) before they make a decision to abort. According to Broun, this legislation has reduced abortions by about 90%. He points out, however, that such legislation is only a "tool" and not a solution to the problem. Actually creating legislation that grants the unborn "personhood" is groundbreaking because it nullifies opposing laws and arguments if they are indeed recognized as a person from the time of conception.
Although it did not pass at that time (2007), Broun is still on the front lines of the battle, seeking to reintroduce this bill into the 111th congress. He states:
"I firmly believe that human life begins with fertilization and that we have a moral and constitutional obligation to protect and defend every precious soul that comes into existence," Broun said in a news release. "This bill gives Republicans and Democrats alike who cherish life an opportunity to protect and defend the innocent and most defenseless among us."
Mother Theresa, infamous humanitarian and founder of the Missionary of Charity in Calcutta has several famous quotes about the sanctity of human life. One that has made a lasting impression on me is:
"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
So today, I am reflecting that in a world where we seem to take one step forward in one area only to take two steps back in another - we cannot quiet our voices to stand for righteousness, equality, and justice for all people; BORN OR UNBORN.
Like Dr. King, I also have a dream. I have a dream that one day our children; red, brown, yellow, black, and white will all be found precious in our sight and be granted the right of personhood from the time of conception.
Won't you join me in prayer today?
Lord, You are the giver and life and it is not man's right to deny life to any of Your children. Show us mercy, Lord, in this hour for the atrocities we have caused to the unborn. We ask for Divine protection for the unborn, those born with infirmities or defects, and also the elderly. All have a right to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. Let Your will go forth uninhibited. Open the minds and hearts of those in authority in our nation - to lead us toward righteousness, justice, and equality. Help us to be champions of the weak and oppressed. May we give strength to the weary and provision to the poor in spirit. May Your Spirit go where we cannot go, move where we cannot move, and impress what we cannot impress in the highest offices of our nation, city, and churches. In Your name, Amen.
