Pregnancy. It is a time of jubilation for some and yet a time of vexation for others. Pro-life for some and yet pro-abortion for others. The abortion debate has been raging for many decades in America and it does not appear to be relenting any time soon. Is "it" a child, a human being, an image bearer of God? Or is "it" a mere fetus, an obstacle to obtaining greater economic and social "freedom"? There is much boisterous disagreement on this point.
But how do our laws view unborn children? Surely if there is consistency anywhere in society, it is in the law. Yet, even the laws that govern our everyday lives seemed to be confused on this foundational question.
Many states have the following law (or some version thereof), which can cause the defendant's sentence to be increased: "During the course of the commission of the offense, the death of an unborn child at any stage of its development occurred." So, for example, if you rob a woman who happens to be 1 month pregnant, and you cause her to lose her child as a result of the robbery, then it is possible that your sentence would be increased as a result--and rightfully so.
BUT, this very same woman may walk down the street and obtain a legally sanctioned abortion. The end result for the unborn child is the same: death. Yet we punish the one act and celebrate and voraciously defend the other.
Where's the consistency? I'm afraid the inconsistency is not with the law, but those whom are subject to the law--the people. You and I. I will post this blog entry and go on about my life. You will read it and your mind will soon wander to the busyness of life. We shutter at the atrocious practice, yet we live our lives as though it doesn't exist. Until we are actually moved to action, I'm afraid our words and ideas become like mere water droplets of morning dew, whisked away by the first rays of the dawning sun.
Soli Deo Gloria.
But how do our laws view unborn children? Surely if there is consistency anywhere in society, it is in the law. Yet, even the laws that govern our everyday lives seemed to be confused on this foundational question.
Many states have the following law (or some version thereof), which can cause the defendant's sentence to be increased: "During the course of the commission of the offense, the death of an unborn child at any stage of its development occurred." So, for example, if you rob a woman who happens to be 1 month pregnant, and you cause her to lose her child as a result of the robbery, then it is possible that your sentence would be increased as a result--and rightfully so.
BUT, this very same woman may walk down the street and obtain a legally sanctioned abortion. The end result for the unborn child is the same: death. Yet we punish the one act and celebrate and voraciously defend the other.
Where's the consistency? I'm afraid the inconsistency is not with the law, but those whom are subject to the law--the people. You and I. I will post this blog entry and go on about my life. You will read it and your mind will soon wander to the busyness of life. We shutter at the atrocious practice, yet we live our lives as though it doesn't exist. Until we are actually moved to action, I'm afraid our words and ideas become like mere water droplets of morning dew, whisked away by the first rays of the dawning sun.
Soli Deo Gloria.
2 comments:
In the same vein, I always thought it was interesting that if a pregnant woman was killed the murderer would be charged for double homicide. The inconsistency in the law baffles me.
What can we do to make a change? I mean I haven't seen the signs that say "pray to end abortion" actually change anything. My fear is that this "right" is so ingrained in our social consciousness that it won't be able to leave.
I'm afraid the answer is neither immediate nor easy. As a single citizen, it is difficult to turn heads in Washington. But, your state legislature is a different matter.
I believe the push to end abortion as a legally sanctioned practice is going to have to come from the states, and not the federal government. A state like South Dakota should give us hope. This November the people of SD will have the ability to vote to amend their state constitution to ban abortion (except for cases of rape, incest, or health of the mother). This is a voter iniative--meaning the "common folk" got it started.
You and I can start by figuring out who represents our area in the state legislature and ask them why our state isn't following the path of SD. If you don't like his or her answer, then use your voting power come election time and exercise your sphere of influence. We can also study the SD model and see how to get the ball rolling in our state for a similar iniative.
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