In Defense of Life and Choice: A look at the issues behind abortion.

By Tim Gibbons; Published by High Plains View September 19, 2008.

“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” - Thomas Paine
“I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.” -Susan B. Anthony
Sanctity of life and the rights of the unborn, once again abortion has come to the forefront of this year's presidential election. There are those who say that abortion is wrong, those that say it is a protected right and those who's opinion falls somewhere in between.
I must admit I have mixed views on the subject; growing up in a devout and legalistic Christian home I was all for the banning of all forms of abortion. Since I was a man this was, actually, quite easy for me to say as I would never be under the burden of carrying a child. And so for my teenage years and early adult life I proudly flew the banner of pro-life in defense of the sanctity of the unborn.
Sanctity...an interesting word that is often used in the halls of theology and religion. A rallying cry for those who stand against the evils of the world in Western Society. A passioned and feverish appeal to all righteous men and women to stand firm in their beliefs and convictions!
But, what does it mean to sanctify something? According to the dictionary, sanctification is the act of setting apart and making something holy. To entitle to reverence or respect.
According to the religious right, the Holy Bible does make reference to predestination of unborn children and God forming a child in the womb. And while these references are in the Bible there is no warning on ending a pregnancy, however, this same Bible, offers a strong argument on the rights of children from the mouth of Jesus himself, in the Gospels.
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” - Matthew 18:5-6
So answer me this...why do we have more than 100,000 people in Southern Colorado willing to sign a petition to make a fetus a person, but we have barely a handful of people who will go to bat for their children's 4-H program in El Paso County? We condemn women for “killing” the unborn, but we barely do a thing to those men who view pornography of women and children. We listened to impassioned pleas to stop violating the rights of the unborn as clergy sexually violate children behind closed doors and husbands cast lusting looks at other women. Since when did the rights of the unborn become more sacred than the rights of the living?
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Matthew 19:13 & 14
Jesus, himself, makes no mention of the unborn, but he is adamant in his condemnation of those who would harm a living, breathing child. Likewise, he was harsh in his rebuke of those who let their eyes and hearts wander...
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” - Matthew 5:28.
How can we have a respect, a reverence for the “unborn”, when we don't even come close to applying that same reverence for life to the rest of humanity? Fathers who abandon their children to chase a new set of legs. Parents who pursue their dreams and aspirations while leaving their children behind at home to raise themselves and find their way through the confusing world without a guiding hand to help them. Is it any wonder then, when a child rejects the fatherly influence of God? Who wants a father who is never there?
To deny a woman the right to end a pregnancy due to rape, incest or danger to her health is no different from the patriarchal and religious tyranny exercised in medieval Europe. We might “save” the child's life, but what life will that child have? It will forever stand as a reminder to the woman of a time when her life was destroyed. And what of the man who did the act? As our laws stand now, he need not worry about paying child support. All he has to do is serve his time before he is back on the streets destroying the next set of lives.
I find it hard to reconcile a belief that no woman has the right to end an unwanted pregnancy when men are not held accountable for their promiscuity and sexual addictions. Abortion is not the problem, ladies and gentlemen, rather an unwillingness among men to take responsibility for their actions and a willingness from those same men to condemn women for acting like the chattel religion has told them to be, is the real problem.
If the religious right and the pro-life movement is serious in their attempts to stop the alleged problem of abortion, then it is up to them to take a good hard look at themselves, stop judging others and remove the plank from their eye.
We need to stop condemning women, or at the very least, condemn women and men equally, after all, it takes two to tango and it takes two people, not one, to create life.
Women have long faced the wrath of the religious community for daring to end a pregnancy, why is that same condemnation not shown to the men who got them that way? Why are men patted on the back for a sexual conquest and women condemned for the same act?
Is abortion right or wrong? I don't know, and as a man I am hesitant to take one side or the other as I will not be faced with the decision of whether or not to end a pregnancy. But, as a man, I can take the stand and make the decision that will ensure no woman has to have an abortion on my account.