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| Volume 22 Number 1 January 2020 | Page 8 |
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| Volume 22 Number 1 January 2020 | Page 8 |
George McNulty
On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court made a fateful decision allowing abortion. Since that day, over 50 million babies have been murdered legally. That’s 1,210,000 per year and 3,322 per day. To put this into perspective, that’s more casualties per day than the number victims of the 911 terrorist atrocity. Yet, this horrendous crime against humanity is portrayed as a human right.
Medical science has improved greatly since 1973. We can now cure diseases that were once terminal. Our knowledge of biology has increased greatly over the years. Research into the development of human embryos has proved undeniably that they are separate biological individuals, which means they are not a part of the mother’s body. They are separate beings, growing within the mother and, as such, have a right to life.
At ten weeks after conception, the developing baby has fingers, toes and a heart that beats. To quote Dr. Bernard Nathanson, a doctor who personally carried out 75,000 abortions and now deeply regrets it: “As a scientist I know, not believe, know that human life begins at conception.” He continued:
The study of fetology (the study of the early stages of development of a baby within the womb) makes it undeniably evident that life begins at conception and requires all the protection and safeguards that any of us enjoy. Why, you may well ask, do some American doctors who are privy to the findings of fetology, discredit themselves by carrying out abortions? Simple arithmetic at $500 a time, 1.2 million abortions means an industry generating $600 million annually, of which most goes into the pocket of the physician doing the abortion.
The Holy Bible is very clear on the matter of unborn children. Abortion is murder, according to Gods Word. “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life” (Exodus 21:22-23). We see the immense value God puts on the life of the child. God created this human being, and as such, the taking of its life requires the life of the person who was responsible. The Lord declared His involvement and care in the creation of His children from the earliest stages of human life. “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things” (Isaiah 44:2).
The effects on the women who have had abortions are often devastating, according to Jeanne Monahan, director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council.
Science supports this sad reality. In the fall, a metanalysis was published in the prestigious British Journal of Psychiatry. The report was the most extensive of its kind to date—the author looked at 22 published studies and data from more than 870,000 women. The results showed that women who have an abortion are at an 81 percent increased risk for mental health problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, drug abuse and suicidal behaviors. The study revealed the shocking statistic that close to 10 percent of all mental health problems in women can be directly attributed to abortion.
As Christians, we must be compassionate to these women who are desperately remorseful for what they have done to their own children. We can offer them and show them, from the Bible, that all children go to Heaven. When King David and Bathsheba lost their first child, David said, “Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:2). Gill’s Exposition of the Bible describes these words in this context. “The Old Testament saints did not suppose an annihilation at death, but believed the immortality of the soul, a future state after death of eternal life and bliss.” The mother may have aborted her child, but in Christ is found forgiveness of that sin and the hope of reuniting with her child that’s already in Heaven.
When it comes to the woman’s right to choose to have an abortion, many fathers are given no choice and are often forgotten. To quote Armin A. Brott, author of several fatherhood books, “A woman can legally deprive a man of his right to become a parent or force him to become one against his will.” Although it is true that some men force women into abortions, a great many men who would love to have a child are deprived of any influence in the decision taken by their partners. These men suffer from depression, grief and feelings of helplessness. There can be no doubt of the long-term consequences on the parents of an aborted child. The natural thing for parents to do is to protect their children. Is it any wonder that both men and women who have done this terrible act suffer mental anguish?
Included in the Declaration of Independence are these words by Thomas Jefferson: “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.” If it is true (and it is) that developing babies in their mothers’ wombs are separate human beings, then they, too, have these fundamental rights to life.
The federal law allowing for abortion has been devastating to this country on many levels. It’s a crime against humanity that has become a major business and, as such, has a strong backing by many politicians who owe their positions of power to their backers and pro-abortion interest groups. These organizations have influence through politics and so-called political correctness. Hollywood, ever a promoter of political correctness and extreme feminism, has indoctrinated generations into believing the lie about abortion that developing babies are merely a tissue blob without any consciousness. We now know that babies feel pain, and we, as Christians, must do whatever we can to make known the silent screams of these children who have had their basic right to life taken away. Trying to lobby the Federal government on this seems like talking to a brick wall. However, all is not lost. We can do something. With enough support, we can achieve a victory that could save many lives. It is not uncommon for states to pass amendments to their laws. The state of Wisconsin passed a bill guaranteeing the right-to-work on March 9, 2015. With enough support, we could try to get lawmakers to guarantee the right to life for the unborn child. The facts have been scientifically proven that these developing babies are genetically separate individuals who deserve the chance to live.
The Patience of Satan
Paul Mowrer
Surely you mean “the patience of Job.” Or, perhaps, you meant to write “the patience of God.” You can’t possibly mean “the patience of Satan.” Even though it sounds a bit absurd, that is exactly what I meant to write. Better yet is the need for us to understand the working of Satan in our lives.
This past week, Cathy and I were in Illinois celebrating her parents’ 65th wedding anniversary. One of the activities we enjoy whenever the family gets together is our time of worship with the church there. It was during a visit with one of my brothers that we spoke on the frustrations and discouragements that come our way as children of God. I repeated to him a thought that had been shared with me several years ago by a local preacher that frustration and discouragement are tools of Satan. There was agreement with the statement, and then he responded with the following, “Satan is very patient.”
I have allowed that thought to captivate me for the last several days. We are quick to point out the patience of Job and the patience of God, but we fail to recognize that the work of Satan may very well be in a field all its own. We know that “…the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I don’t picture a lion giving up after one failed attempt. Maybe you have never watched a lion size up its prey before attacking, but no doubt you have watched a cat in its preparations to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. There is no rush—just a very calculated wait before pouncing on the unsuspecting victim.
Maybe we don’t see Satan in that way, but perhaps it is time for us to re-think the working of our greatest enemy. No doubt, Satan waited patiently before Eve (and Adam) succumbed to the temptation of the fruit in the Garden. As he waited then, he does so now with us, “seeking some to devour.” Unfortunately, his success rate seems to be climbing! Solomon characterizes the one falling into the temptation of adultery “as an ox goes to the slaughter” (Proverbs 7:22). Is it possible that we have allowed ourselves to be so caught up in the pleasures of the world that we have become like that ox to be slaughtered?
The apostle Paul warned Timothy to teach with gentleness so that God may grant repentance, so that “they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Christians, it is time to awaken from our slumber before it is everlastingly too late! Yes, the Lord is patient, but so is Satan! Who is winning the battle for your soul?