Outraged by life

In June of 2015, the United States Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage across America. The Supreme court in a 5-4 decision, overrode state laws making same-sex marriage a constitutional right. Americans, in every state, would be able to marry whoever they liked, irrespective of gender. The political left celebrated. The Whitehouse was illuminated in rainbow lights, countless Facebook users added a rainbow filter to their profile pictures in solidarity. The mainstream media celebrated the occasion as a historic moment. Seven years later the political left feels very differently about the Supreme Court.

In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court has reversed its 1973 decision to allow abortion as a constitutional right. The decision doesn’t ban abortion, it returns power to the states to make their own decisions. This is much like the situation in Australia where state and federal representatives are elected to make laws regarding abortion. If the citizens want different laws, they elect different representatives. It’s called democracy and usually, the political left think that’s a good idea.

The political left in the United States feels aggrieved by the 2016 election of Donald Trump, who won the Electoral College to become the United States President but won fewer overall votes than his opponent Hillary Clinton. In his one term as President, Trump was able to appoint 3 Justices to the United States Supreme Court which made all the difference in the 5-4 decision to overturn Roe Vs Wade (1973).

Human rights for some

The reaction in the mainstream media has been stunning. Commentators are furious that individual states could make their own laws by representatives who win state elections. It’s not just democracy that offends the commentariat. They’re outraged by life. The logical consequence of the Supreme Court decision is that abortion will be more heavily restricted in some American states and completely banned in others. This will cause difficulty for those seeking abortion services. The end result will likely be fewer overall abortions. That means more babies living. More babies living means more children surviving the womb and having the opportunity to learn the piano, dance to The Wiggles, pat the family dog, and build sandcastles at the beach. Eventually, they’ll become adult members of society, all because they weren’t killed before they had the chance. People losing their cool over the loss of women’s rights don’t seem to be giving much consideration to the rights of women currently in the womb.

Moral calculus

Restricting abortion access does indeed create difficult and traumatic situations. The situation where a woman gives birth to the baby of a rapist is a grievous circumstance. It is, however, completely ludicrous to think that murdering an innocent baby could be considered a solution. Rape is an appalling evil, murdering a baby doesn’t make the world better.

Pro-abortion activists say they fight for human rights but fight only for big humans. If killing a three-month-old baby is morally wrong, why would it be morally acceptable to kill the same child, six months earlier? As former President Ronald Regan used to remark, “I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.” Hard questions

Abortion policy raises difficult and complicated moral questions. Abortion attacks the human rights of infants in the womb and restricting abortion access creates a significant burden upon those who don’t desire a pregnancy. That burden falls disproportionately upon women. In America, it is statistically unmarried women who are often struggling economically. Limiting access does raise concerning questions about what desperate women may do to obtain an abortion. These are important concerns but innocent children shouldn’t be sacrificed to solve them.

Outraged by life

America will continue to work out its abortion laws in the years ahead through future state and national elections. It is extremely disturbing to watch the display of fury from pro-abortion activists outraged that it won’t be as easy to murder children. Some abortion questions are confronting, some are not easy to answer but it is a sign of utter moral rot to be outraged that more babies will have a chance to live.

Today’s society will happily dress up evil and call it virtue. If you’re a follower of Jesus who thinks that babies should have the right to life, then buckle up for a bumpy ride. Those who speak up against the idols of our culture can expect a frosty reception.

Travis Barnes is the author of Brave in making, a book all about how to follow Christ with courage in a world full of challenges and uncertainties.