I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 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? (Proverbs 24:12).
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).
In our nation, it’s commonly said that abortion and abortion rights are about a woman having the right to choose what to do with her own body. This is one of the ongoing claims of pro-choice people who are sold out to the tragedy of abortion.
However, if the concern is really about a woman’s “right” to choose, then consider a huge issue that is being profoundly ignored in our culture today.
Statistically speaking, men are the driving force behind many abortions. And what a tragedy it is that men are very often the engines behind many abortions in our culture.
Allow me to share a scenario that is tragically too common.
A man, (often a boyfriend yet sometimes a husband) upon learning that his girlfriend (or wife) is pregnant, will become upset. Often, he will become angry and ask a typically stupid question: “How did this happen?”
His actual thoughts may very well be “Why didn’t you do all you could to prevent this with all the birth control methods and means there are?”
He will then selfishly make other statements like: “I am not ready to be a daddy!” Or, “We can’t afford a baby!” “How could you have let this happen?”
Then, the next words from his mouth may be “You will get an abortion. Do you understand? There is no need for discussion.” And in many cases, the woman does exactly what her boyfriend or husband demands.
Though, it is very often stated that this issue is about a woman’s right to choose, in such a case, is she choosing? In many such instances, you have a woman who either WANTS to keep her baby, or you have a woman who is on the fence and undecided.
Then, upon receiving the reaction of her boyfriend or husband, she will decide “I better do what he says.” Again, this situation is extremely common in our culture. Even though it is said that it is her “right to choose”, too terribly often, she is being coerced or more or less forced to have an abortion against her will.
Now, it is actually against the law to force or coerce a woman to have an abortion if she wants to keep her baby. Tragically though, many women don’t know that this is the law. Many of them do not realize that the law is on their side. Many men do not know this is the law either. Also, sadly, many men don’t care.
So, it’s not hard to see that even though many claim that they want to maintain a woman’s right to choose, this is actually not really the goal for many who are pro-choice. Time and time again in this sad situation, the woman is not “choosing” at all. The man is.
There is an overwhelming need for persons who know and understand the law in this situation to help inform more people of the law. It can be done by word of mouth obviously, yet two very helpful resources are the “Dear Client” letter or “Dear Parent” letter, (found at www.thejusticefoundation.org from the Justice Foundation). Churches and schools should get copies of these items or similar resources to help people come to know and be informed of the law.
Men have too often taken women’s right to choose life away. They have done exactly what they should not have done–demanded an abortion. This situation needs to end. The ignorance and selfishness of our culture have already done way too much damage. Any concerned individual can help spread the word.
