Many years ago someone coined the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Although it presents a courageous front, we all know how hurtful words can be and that the opposite phrase holds more truth, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
Over the last 47 years many lives have been taken due to the intentional misuse of words. In January of 1973, the Supreme Court granted legal permission to take the lives of unborn babies. Since then, abortion advocates have used terms like “fertilized egg,” “pregnancy tissue,” and “fetus” in attempts to rename the child in the womb and justify their actions.
Sperm and ovum cells both die when fertilization takes place and the egg ceases to exist as it becomes an embryo with entirely new DNA created by the combination. Scientists agree that a human embryo is the beginning of a unique human being. Each of us, regardless of our age, has the exact same DNA that we had on the day we were conceived. This understanding should eliminate the use of the term “fertilized egg” since no such thing exists.
In a similar fashion, there is no “pregnancy tissue.” Pregnancy is a condition and the tissue referred to with this terminology is obviously that of a developing human. Let’s call it that. It has definite form and function and is not a shapeless blob. The word fetus actually means “little one” indicating a miniature of a full grown specimen, not a random collection of tissue.
If you think developing embryos aren’t preborn miniatures of their parents, destroy an egg of any endangered bird specie. You will be immediately arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But when an abortionist ends the life of a human embryo, he or she is paid for it and protected by law.
Some individuals have argued that abortion should be allowed up to and even after delivery based on the fact that the unborn child cannot survive without assistance outside the womb. Our value doesn’t change when we walk outside our homes and neither does an unborn girl suddenly become human or valuable once she passes through her mother’s birth canal.
Just because a developing embryo can’t fully function on its own yet doesn’t mean it’s any less human or less valuable. That line of reasoning would justify the murder of anyone who depends on medical care to survive. All young children continue to need parental assistance for several years so this standard would make them eligible for killing as well. The Americans with Disabilities Act actually awards special rights to individuals who are more dependent than others but sadly the opposite applies to pre-born children who are most vulnerable.
Likewise a difference is size or age shouldn’t determine value and worth for such logic would imply that my five year old grandson is less valuable than me because he’s younger and smaller. There is no moral difference between who we are as adults and who we are as embryos that would justify killing either one.
The real reason for most abortions is now being clearly revealed by some who have recently expressed their gratitude for their past abortions. They proudly proclaim that taking the lives of their unborn children enhanced their careers and their lifestyles. Finally we get some honesty which clearly underscores the selfishness that motivated these decisions. The fact that a child is unwanted reveals a flaw in his or her parent, not the child. And by the way, there are over one million couples waiting to adopt newborns from parents who may not want or be able to raise and care for them.
I pray that we will get our words and our thinking straight on this and realize that a fetus is a little human with as much dignity, worth, and godly image as his or her parents. And that our nation will soon outlaw the killing of such precious children. In the meantime, I invite all readers to continue to support the work of pregnancy centers like the one in Edinburg that helps parents and children, both before and after birth.
Praying for change, George