It has been a while since I have posted, and I apologize. Also, this is my first post that deals with a current issues.
In a recent discussion, there was an argument regarding the issue of abortion in the case of rape. Often, the accusation of callousness is thrown against those who oppose abortion even in the case of rape, but in truth it is logical and ultimately an issue of love.
First, the logic. The pro-life movement is about saving the innocent unborn children from the massacre waged against them. The unborn innocent are entitled to a right to life which should not be denied them. As the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith states: “The tradition of the Church has always held that human life must be protected and favored from the beginning, just as at the various stages of its development” {for the complete document see here}.
Logically, it follows that the innocents’ right to life must be safeguarded regardless of the conditions in which they are conceived. Regardless of whether the man and woman are together or not, able to afford the kid or not, young or old, in school or not working. Denying life to the unborn is murder, and the convenience or readiness of the parents does not override the seriousness of such a sin. The condition in which the child was conceived does not make the unborn innocent any less or more guilty. It is unjustifiable to transfer the sin of the rapist to the innocent unborn child.
Pro-life is about forbidding murder, about love and brotherhood. It is not about wanting to punish irresponsible men and women, to make them take responsibilities for their action. The love is not just restricted to the unborn, but also flows to the parents. Love that seeks to prevent them from committing such a sin as murder. Love that knows that they will psychological and emotional pain {see here for some testimonies}. Love that advises the parents “give life a chance to surprise you with joy… see what goodness God provides for us.”
To say you are pro-life except in the case of rape or incest is illogical and hypocritical. Such statement loses the ethical and moral grounds that validate the pro-life stance in that it presents that not all life is necessarily sacred, and hence it cannot be maintained that “human life is sacred.”
