A little background on me. I was adopted shortly after my birth in October 1973. If you do the math, I could have been the first legally aborted baby, as Roe v. Wade was January 1973. I am pro-life in my position on abortion.
I’m a little disconcerted by the effort put into overturning Roe v. Wade compared to the effort in helping women who have unwanted pregnancies. But that’s another conversation. I want to discuss this South Dakota law.
A little bit of history first. The particulars of the Roe v. Wade decision center on a woman’s right to privacy. Prior to Roe v. Wade, the pro-life camp took a hard line just like the South Dakota law which allows for abortion only in the case of a mother-to-be’s life being in danger. Because a woman put in horrendous circumstances had no choice legally but to carry the baby to term, the Court decided it was a violation of a woman’s right to privacy. Certainly some of the justices were pro-abortion in any circumstance, but I do not believe all of the justices who voted in favor of allowing abortions approved in all situations.
Practically speaking, if the pro-life movement of the early 70s had been willing to allow for abortion in cases of rape or incest, the Roe v. Wade decision would never have happened. Based on the makeup of the court at the time, it is doubtful that a ruling stating a woman’s right to privacy would have been meted out for pregnancies resulting from consensual sex.
And with the current makeup of the court, I’m not sure you’d actually get an overturning even if you allow for rape and incest, but this South Dakota law can do nothing but help the pro-choice camp. If it even gets to the Supreme Court upon being challenged, I sincerely doubt this court will allow this law to stand.
I have mixed emotions about abortions resulting from rape and incest. That makes friends of mine on both sides of the issue unhappy with me… I can say that if my biological mother were raped, I would want to be alive… even if my biological father were a rapist. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
What I will say is that those who truly believe abortion is murder should be incensed about the stupidity of the South Dakota law. If the law had allowed for abortions in the case of rape or incest, it would still be a gamble, but it would have a chance. This law has no chance, and it will surely aid the pro-choice camp.
For an interesting read, I’ve linked to before (note that this is not directly related to this post, it is just a progressive position on abortion):
A Progressive Argument Against Abortion
Update: Another interesting article: Reality Check for ‘Roe’
I understand your points and agree with a lot of it. Here is what rips my heart open. The fact that in the United States alone a baby is murdered by abortion every 20 seconds (every 6 seconds world wide). We as Americans have allowed our country to murder 50 million babies over the life of Roe v. Wade. When Hitler killed 60 million Jews it was the act of a madman. When we murder 50 million people through abortion it is just accepted by our culture as the right thing. I just have a problem with 50 million babies being murdered in my life time just in America. With that being said I fight abortion through prayer. I pray against this spirit of murder that is against our country. I also pray that these young mothers would be loved on and cared for and be shown the love of Christ. Through prayer and the Mercy of God we are on the brink of having 2 states in America that will not be performing abortions. Mississippi has one abortion clinic left in the entire State and it is on the brink of shutting down. Thank God there is a turning away from this spirit of murder starting to take place. Just my 2 cents on the issue for what it is worth.
Eric
February 26th, 2006