“But everybody, or at least the majority of people are doing it, or at least favor it. Haven’t you seen the results of the latest polls?”
Fact: Contrary to growing popular belief, might or big numbers do not make right; that is, just because a majority of the people decide a certain choice is justified because it is convenient and pragmatic for them, it doesn’t necessarily mean the decision is right or beneficial–is justified. For example, because the majority of the people in a given community habitually use drugs and are willing to steal and even kill to support their habit, it doesn’t justify their doing so.
During World War II there were great numbers of Germans who, at the very least, through complicity supported the murder of millions of people. Really, does might make right? By the same token, just because the polls may indicate the majority of people may approve of abortion, we are not free to form our conscience accordingly because the majority approve.
Any place in this world, a person is free to believe what he or she wishes. In the United States we can freely express our beliefs. However, we do not always have the right to act on what we choose to believe, which, unfortunately, it appears many who preach freedom of choice fail to realize or to acknowledge: “I am a god unto myself. Don’t try to tell me what I can or cannot do!”
Although I do not presume to judge moral guilt or lack of good will regarding the people in question, not a few individuals have a very narrow, simplistic view regarding the abortion issue. It’s not just a matter of whether or not we have a right to freedom of choice. Realistically, we must ask what is at issue or at stake regarding choices — what is the consequence of our choice. For example, for obvious reasons, it is not justifiable to choose to take illicit drugs, to commit suicide, to drive while intoxicated, to perjure our-self, to rob, or to murder. Likewise, I propose it is rather obvious — for those who are not biased — that it is unjustifiable to take the life of an embryo or fetus because it is a burden, an embarrassment, or an inconvenience.
It seems the most common attempt at justification on the part of the pro-choice advocates is that “a woman has a right over her own body.” There is a double incongruity inherent in that premise attributable to those pro-choicers who also claim to be Christian: although it may be proposed or maintained that a woman has a right over her own body, how much right does she possess over the life of the embryo or fetus within? Secondly, how can Christians reconcile the claim to rights over their own bodies regarding abortion with the following? “None of us lives as one’s own master, and none of us dies as one’s own master. While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as his servants. Both in life and death we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7, 8).
Also, in 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, The Holy Spirit reminds us: “You are not your own. You have been purchased, and at a price! So glorify God in your body.”
Following is a further consideration for the pro-choice advocates: a fellow went deer hunting and spotted what he thought might be a deer. And although he wasn’t sure, not wanting to take a chance of failing to bag a deer, he shot and killed what he found to be a human being. No one was surprised when he was convicted of manslaughter.
Pro-choice advocates cannot prove that the fetus or embryo that is attacked and killed is not a human being. To say the least, there is reasonable doubt, fortified by the belief of many embryologists and gynecologists that it is indeed a human being. Accordingly, as long as there is a reasonable doubt, abortion should be declared unlawful.
Furthermore, if it were ever proven that the fetus or embryo were not a human being, those who have been involved in the abortion process would still not have been justified in taking the risk — any more than the deer hunter — while there was a reasonable doubt. It appears so convenient to go along with the crowd, so easy to get caught in the flow. That is one of the most common excuses given by apprehended speedsters: “But officer, I was just caught up in the flow of the traffic.” When the flow of the crowd is going the wrong direction, the end result is neither convenient nor desirable; too often a reproachful conscience incessantly reprimands and reminds us that we really knew better, but did not exercise the spiritual fortitude to be true to God, our self and our neighbor. And, of course, the spiritual fortitude — that of which heroes and heroines are made — that which enables us to overcome the pressure of the wayward crowd or that of the uninformed peers, is always available, if we live this freeing truth of Jesus: “As a little child in steadfast faith, retreat to me with your limited challenges from the unbelieving, unrealistic majority, and I will refresh and strengthen you with my love and self control.” (Cf. Matthew 11:28).
In II Timothy 4:3-5 and, through St. Paul, the Holy Spirit reminds us: “For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but, following their own desires, will surround themselves with teachers who tickle their ears. They will stop listening to the truth and will wander off to fables. As for you, be steady and self-possessed; put up with hardship… fulfill your ministry.”
“But everybody’s doing it?” So what! Virtually everybody disowned Jesus in refusing to accept the freeing truth He came to share. The majority had eyes and failed to see, ears and failed to hear and minds and failed to comprehend. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they were not open to the freeing truth. And yet because of his unconditional love for you and me — as is attested to by his passion, death and resurrection we celebrate in the Mass –, we not only are capable of hearing his word that sets us free; through steadfast, childlike faith in Him, we are able to live the truth one day at a time against seemingly insurmountable odds of a majority.
Yes, no matter what the challenge, by living the Faith-Love Principle, with the strength of Jesus, our Savior and Healer, we are able to live the GOD, the Good Orderly Direction, that enables us to be truly free.
Father Charles Van Winkle, CSC