Think About IT: Abortion, the Issue That Divides


The issue that divides is whether the legal right to have an abortion for reasons other than to save the life of the mother is right.

What do the presidential candidates think?

“Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in that case” ((BarackObama.com)).

Obama answering at what point “does a baby get human rights?”: said, “answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade.” ((Saddleback presidential forum, Aug. 16, 2008)).

“John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat” ((JohnMcCain.com)).

McCain answering at what point “does a baby get human rights?”: said, “At the moment of conception.” ((Saddleback presidential forum, Aug. 16, 2008)).

God says, through the Psalmist, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.“(Psalm 139:13-16)

If knowing when human life begins, and therefore what constitutes being human is above a person’s “pay grade” then how can he speak with such certitude regarding the rightness of a woman’s freedom to have an abortion, which by his own lack of knowledge means that he may very well be terminating a human life that as president he is constitutionally bound to protect.

Does anyone believe that Obama would accept the legitimacy of that kind of reasoning by previous presidents concerning slavery? Oh, knowing if a black person is human or not is above my pay grade, but I will defend to the end the right of slave-owners to choose whether or not to own them.

If a person is wrong on who is human and who is not, he is so profoundly wrong that everything is above his pay grade!

Ronnie W. Rogers