Remember Life

In the midst of a war against a murderous regime that has shown disregard for human life and for the religious freedom rights of their people, we can also recognize that there is a long-standing war on life in our own country, and we should be passionate about ending that.  The military action against Iran is deserved and just, but we should also remember that we must deal with threats to the sanctity of life for those in the womb.  Proverbs 24 states (ESV):
11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this, ” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

While the President, according to news reports, devoted a significant amount of time in his State of the Union address sharing his assessment of the threat posed by Iran, just days in advance of this weekend's military action, The Washington Stand, the online news arm of Family Research Council noted there was one subject that was not addressed.

The article noted that the President omitted what some would consider his greatest accomplishment over the past year: "taxpayers are no longer living under a government that forces them to finance the culture of death — in most programs at home and overseas. His administration has done everything from protecting conscience rights, defunding Planned Parenthood, rolling back policies that force insurance companies to cover abortions, stopping the grotesque practice of fetal tissue at NIH, and even turning off the spigots for free abortions for illegal immigrants."

But the silence on the subject of life, which some analysts believe that the President no longer believes is a winning issue, has been disturbing, according to the article, which notes: "Since his last turn in office, chemical abortions have exploded across the country, throwing open the door to a nationwide war over mifepristone’s safety, its availability in states that outlaw it, the illegality of mailing it, and the government’s role in ensuring that women are under a doctor’s supervision when 11% encounter the terrifying complications research shows they will.

Another Washington Stand piece, an op-ed by FRC President Tony Perkins, referenced recent court action by the state of Louisiana, which "was in federal court seeking an end to this Biden-era policy that allows abortion drugs to be prescribed remotely and sent through the mail without medical consultation."  And Louisiana is not alone; Perkins writes: "Missouri, Idaho, Kansas, Florida, and Texas are also seeking to ensure their states can exercise the legislative authority recognized by the Supreme Court in the Dobbs case to protect the unborn and their mothers."  He goes on to say that during the hearing before a federal district court...

Noah Katzen, an attorney for the FDA, argued that Louisiana’s attempt at “judicial intervention” would disrupt the agency’s drug review process. When federal judge David Joseph pressed him for a timeline on when the review would be complete, Katzen could have won a gold medal for rhetorical gymnastics. He didn’t answer the question.

And there is a reason.

According to senators who attended a closed-door meeting two weeks ago here in Washington with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary regarding mifepristone, they were told the study design was still being worked on. Keep in mind, lawmakers were told almost a year ago that a study would be conducted after a report revealed that 11% of women who use mifepristone suffered adverse effects.

So, there's already an extensive study that is out there that shows compelling evidence about the potential harm to women, not to mention unborn babies, as the result of the abortion pill.  But, Perkins believes that "...political consultants and pollsters claim it is a liability to speak up for the unborn. I’ve heard it repeatedly over 30 years in public life. That’s just not true." And new polling supports it.

The issue of abortion is more than a political issue - much more.  It is a moral and spiritual imperative to protect life.  As Suzanne Bowdey writes in that other Washington Stand piece I referenced, "Abortion isn’t something we fight because it’s politically advantageous — although it could be. It’s something we fight as a matter of principle, justice, and human dignity."

We must continue to pray for our lawmakers, that they would have the courage to defend life.  The issue of life should be paramount as we evaluate candidates who are asking for our votes in the upcoming elections.  May 19 is the date set for primary elections in the state of Alabama.

Also, we can be involved in our communities speaking out for life and in supporting or doing the Lord's work to practice the truth in love, as He gives opportunity.