Restricted

In Psalm 139, we can see a passage of Scripture that affirms that God is the giver of life.  And, I believe that because He has created us, our lives have value:
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

Every person is someone who has received life from God, and has the potential to come into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.  That is why taking the life of an unborn child is so hideous, because a human being has made the determination whether or not a child lives or dies.  Even if you don't believe that life begins at conception, you have to be intellectually honest and say that fetus or fertilized cell has the potential to be a human being.  But, I believe life does begin at conception, and who are we to decide who lives or dies - God is the creator of life, and all life, born or unborn, has value.  And, we treat all people with that perspective; no one is insignificant and he or she deserves compassion and certainly God's mercy.

+++++

God is the One who gives life - He is our Creator, and we are made in His image, fearfully and
wonderfully made, as the Scriptures say. We can choose to think and act in accordance with that view of life. Deuteronomy 30 says:
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

While the narrative for many politicians is that a woman's right to choose abortion is paramount and that there should be unfettered access to this gruesome act, the views of Americans certainly do not line up with that perspective.

A recent Knights of Columbus-Marist poll finds that almost 8 out of 10 Americans favor some sort of restrictions on abortion.  8 out of 10!  Barbara Carvalho, director of the Marist Poll, is quoted in a press release: "The majority of Americans in favor of abortion restrictions has been consistently around 8 in 10 for the better part of a decade," adding, "Though self-identification as pro-life or pro-choice can vary substantially from year to year, the support for restrictions is quite stable."

Even though the U.S. Supreme Court a few weeks ago struck down a Texas law that mandated that doctors have admitting privileges at a local hospital and that abortion clinics be held to the same standards as other outpatient surgery centers, those surveyed held to a different view.   Get this:

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans (78 percent) want abortion clinics to be held to the same standards as other outpatient surgery centers. This includes 77 percent of African Americans and 82 percent of Latinos, as well as 77 percent of women, and 84 percent of millennials. About three quarters of those who identify as pro-choice (74 percent) agree, as do strong majorities regardless of party affiliation.

Regarding the other component of the now-defunct Texas law:

70 percent of Americans want doctors who perform abortions to be required to have hospital admitting privileges. This includes 71 percent of women, 77 percent of millennials, and 78 percent of Latinos, Pro-life and pro-choice adherents are also equally likely to support such a requirement at a rate of 7 in 10 for each group (71 percent).

Taxpayer funding for abortion is opposed by 62 percent of survey participants.  Broken down by political party, that represents 84 percent of Republicans, 61 percent of Independents and 44 percent of Democrats.

So, even though 51 percent of Americans claim to be pro-choice, according to this Knights of Columbus-Marist poll, 8 in 10 - 78% - of Americans surveyed favor some restriction on abortion and...would limit it to the first three months of pregnancy. That includes 62 percent of those who identify as pro-choice, as well as 85 percent of African Americans and 84 percent of Latinos.

When politicians identify themselves a supporting a so-called "woman's right to choose," keep in mind that many Americans do not voice unrestricted support for taking the life of an unborn child, even though they may identify as "pro-choice." Knights of Columbus CEO Carl Anderson says, "The Americans [sic] people have spoken clearly on their desire for abortion restrictions, less taxpayer funding of it, and common sense regulations on this industry to protect women's health," adding," Our courts, politicians, candidates and parties should heed this consensus."  But, so often when the idea is floated of restricting abortion, even though it has widespread public support, pro-abortion politicians scream that pro-lifers are anti-choice and anti-women.  This should not be, and those of us who are pro-life can recognize that there is a significant number of Americans that would be closer to our point of view.  (Of course, I would advocate that abortion be completely eradicated in our time.)

These opinions are not what you might expect, especially when you listen to pro-abortion politicians who receive money from Planned Parenthood, who takes in millions from the pockets of taxpayers. We recognize that this issue, as so many are, is a matter of the heart.  And, we can be encouraged that it seems there is pliability among those who claim to be "pro-choice"...in fact, this survey doesn't reveal a whole lot of hard-core abortion supporters.

And, there can be optimism.  Kirk Walden, author of The Wall, who spoke at the Sav-a-Life of Montgomery banquet several years ago, wrote in a blog post recently at the Pregnancy Help News website:

Consider this: When people realize Washington cannot solve a problem (for example, the issue of life), they look for other solutions. If there was ever an election when we cannot look to a candidate and say, “This one is pro-life and will bring new, life-affirming leadership to Washington,” this is that election.

During and after this election, pro-life Americans will be looking like never before for alternative solutions. We, the Pregnancy Help Community, are the solution to ending abortion. After all, if we become the first choice for those facing unplanned pregnancies, the abortion industry withers and dies.

He also says in the post: "God is big. God uses ordinary people like us to change the world. Let’s not complain or pout in fear over what may happen; let’s be God’s agents to create change for the better."

I believe we have a strong message, a message rooted in the Scriptures, a message to affirm life as it is ordained by God.  As we align with Him and work in partnership with the Holy Spirit to change hearts, we will see movement toward a pro-life perspective.