January 22: Happy Anniversary?

Yesterday I read a CNA news report that mentions that Planned Parenthood is sending out letters requesting donations to rebuild clinics destroyed in Haiti. Frankly, I found this story mind-boggling. In the midst of a struggle for survival and the heart-breaking task of burying thousands of dead, I find it difficult to understand how anyone could consider rebuilding Planned Parenthood clinics to be a priority.

But perhaps it's because of the timing. I note that our  local “independent newspaper” just ran a 2-page advertisement to celebrate the 37th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. In part, it said:

Few decisions are more personal and intimate, more properly private, or more basic to individual dignity and autonomy, than a woman’s decision – with the guidance of her physician and within the limits specified in Roe – whether to end her pregnancy.

“A woman’s right to make that choice freely is fundamental.” - Justice Blackman, Thornburgh Decision United States Supreme Court, June, 1986.

We, the undersigned, support a woman’s right top safe, legal, and accessible birth control and abortion. We condemn the acts of violence and intimidation directed at women and their health care providers. We agree that these rights extend to all women regardless of economic status, and, as taxpayers, affirm our support of the State Abortion Fund for indigent women.

I find myself agreeing with one sentence out of the bunch: “We condemn the acts of violence and intimidation directed at women and their health care providers.” But I find the rest to be untenable.

What about the “individual dignity and autonomy” of the innocent life that is taken through the act of abortion? What is “fundamental” about allowing one individual to determine whether another lives or dies? And what about my strong objection to having my tax dollars used to pay for a procedure that I find morally indefensible?

Unfortunately, there's no way for me to ensure that my tax dollars aren't used to finance things I conscientiously object to.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta was among the most respected women in recent history. Her deep and abiding love for life in all its forms was legendary. When she spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994, she captured the essence of her beliefs – and mine – on this controversial topic. I invite you to read the entire text of the words she spoke here. And once you’re through, look at my sidebar and read the number of lives lost to abortion since you found this site.

The figures are staggering.

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Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest, found here.

And visit Jen at Conversion Diary for this week's edition of 7 Quick Takes.