Even though there’s a long way to go, 2011 was a great year for the pro-life movement. I’ll explain why.
Last month marked the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court’s hideous decision to legalise abortion on demand in the United States. Since then, some 50 million unborn children have lost their lives. The constant killing, with the blessing of both the government and the media, has coarsened our national life, and deadened the consciences of many.
And for those of us who believe in the sanctity of human life, and the Imago Dei being implanted in every human being, these 39 years have been full of frustration and anguish in our so-far unsuccessful efforts to overturn Roe.
Adding insult to injury, the Obama administration is seeking to increase access to abortion through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — otherwise known as ObamaCare. According to CitizenLink, “Under ObamaCare regulations, insurance policies would be required to cover free to women all contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and reproductive counseling methods that the Food and Drug Administration has approved”.
Knowing all this, it would be easy to get discouraged. But I’m not, and you shouldn’t be, either. First of all, as Christians we believe in the sovereignty of God. So despair is a sin! Never despair!
Secondly, the pro-lifer cause is gaining tremendous ground in the states. Let me list just some of the signs of progress. According to Americans United for Life (AUL), five states have reacted to ObamaCare by restricting insurance coverage of abortion: Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Good start.
In addition, more than 30 states have either introduced or are laying the groundwork to introduce an opt-out bill as soon as their legislative calendars allow. Many have already passed such legislation, like Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Utah, Mississippi.
Meanwhile, AUL sees “an unprecedented level of pro-life activity in the states”, with 70 pro-life bills passed in 2011. In all, pro-lifers in 47 states got their legislators to consider 460 bills, and they’re keeping the pressure on daily. In Kansas, pro-life lawmakers are seeking to bolster legal protections for doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care providers opposed to abortions or abortion-inducing drugs.
These legislators hope to block even indirect taxpayer support for abortion. In Ohio, Governor John Kasich signed four bills into law last year that either put additional restrictions on abortion or benefited the pro-life movement.
Says Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, “Never in the history of the pro-life movement have we had so many legislative measures enacted in one year”.
These Ohio laws prohibit public hospitals from performing abortions and ban abortion coverage in the insurance plans of local public employees. Pro-life college groups now cannot be denied use of school funds or facilities. Kasich also signed a law that makes it harder for minors to get abortions without parental consent. And the polls continue to show us gaining in public support.
Okay folks, 2011 was a good year for the pro-life cause. And no, we haven’t overturned Roe v. Wade — yet. And we face entrenched interests that will fight us tooth and nail. But that’s because the tide is turning!
So even as we mark 39 years of abortion on demand, hang in there! And keep fighting the good fight.
l Charles (Chuck) Colson, former chief counsel to United States president Richard Nixon, is the founder of Prison Fellowship, author of over 20 books and a radio commentator on BreakPoint.
