Our secular, science-driven culture has pushed faith to the way-side; anything associated with God is simply taboo. Since our rights are God-given, they are under attack as well. Only that which can be scientifically proven is believed, but the reality is that we do not and can not understand much of nature and physical world. We do not realize our shortcomings and have therefore convinced ourselves of a culture of lies. This philosophy does not stem from the truth that out Founding Fathers so clearly asserted. We have let ourselves fall into a downward spiral of logic that leads to death in numbers that are simply mind-numbing. Abortion is tearing our nation apart in ways that we have yet to fully comprehend. It is our duty to protect these rights, particularly when we find that the government has shirked its own responsibility to do so.

To understand the murderous nature of abortion, we must define what a human person is. Made in the image and likeness of God, humans have intellect and the ability to will something into existence. Both of these abilities are unique to humans, as animals have nothing more driving them than primal desires. As soon as the genes of a mother and father are joined together, an original person is created, possessing the capacity to develop into an astoundingly complex person. Knowing this, the value of human life is so blatantly obvious that it seems difficult to understand why others do not respect it at any stage, whether during pregnancy or in old age. Who could be so unenlightened as to claim that humans have no basic rights just because they are physically weak or not fully grown?

These rights ought to be valued so deeply in our hearts that we would fight for them, no matter the cost, from conception to natural death. Without them, what would humans become? Without the ability to pursue happiness, humans are unable to fulfill their potential and advance in their accomplishments. Without liberty and equality, we haven’t met the means to pursue our happiness. But without life, humans do not even have the chance to have freedom or enjoy a minute of happiness on earth. Many of those born after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, which legalized abortion take for granted that their parents made a conscious decision to give birth to them. The idea that another decides whether one can exist in this world is frightening, whether it be abortion or euthanasia. Who are we to decide who is afforded to that right? Why are our lives more important, solely because they are helpless and we are not? It is life! Anything of such value needs to be protected!

The Founding Fathers plainly addressed the protection of our intrinsic rights, declaring that the obligation of government is to ensure that the rights of humans are protected. If they are not providing this security, the people may decide to overthrow their government in order to obtain the basic rights that they deserve-particularly when “a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism.”  Today, the attack on human life is more extensive and systematic than ever in our history. As human beings, the burden falls upon us to shield the helpless of our society from whatever threatens their life.

Fortunately, there are many courses of action other than open rebellion. Lobbying congressmen to vote for pro-life measure is perhaps the most obvious and direct. Petitioning pro-life politicians to voice their views would demonstrate that abortion is not universally supported. Much more importantly, however, educating our youth on the reality and magnitude of abortion is essential. The nation’s voters must be informed as well, and in addition, they need to know the positions of all presidential contenders. To accomplish this, modern media such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter should be used to gain popular support and momentum.

Widespread misconceptions contribute greatly to the number of abortions in America and must be countered. For example, women need to know that there are resources available for women who decide to give birth even when they cannot provide for a baby alone. If the mother still feels that keeping the child would not be the most beneficial situation, adoption is a viable option. The number of overseas adoptions is staggering; there are many families in America waiting to adopt. Secondly, many people argue that abortion is beneficial because it provides the globe with population control. The entire concept of population control, however, is a myth. Urban areas cover only three percent of the world’s landmass. We have more than enough resources to provide for billions and billions more people. In fact, countries that have instituted “one-child” policies are beginning to find the practice is one that will ultimately threaten their economic and social viability. 

Lastly, the distribution of contraceptives in schools should be prohibited. No other medications can be distributed, so why are these different? Schools should also be educated that use of many contraceptives actually has high failure rates, and statistically, an increase in contraceptives is always coupled with an increase in pregnancy and abortions.

Without human life, it is impossible to have the rights of liberty, equality, or the pursuit of happiness. If many people read this sentence, they would dismiss it for its obvious “pro-life nature.” Taking a moment to think about it, however-one realizes that the statement is utterly profound. When our lives are taken from us, we have lost that which makes us unique, our potential and opportunity to do good on this earth. Everyone is put on this earth for a purpose. Human beings have no right to interfere with God’s plan. We do not realize we may be disrupting the lives of billions of people by undergoing procedures that are designed for the sake of convenience. Through education and perseverance, we can rediscover the only way by which our intrinsic rights will be restored and truth will prevail.

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Submitted by Miami County Right to Life for Daniel Sehlhorst 1/19/12