Daly Focus Blog
The abortion debate is framed in many ways. And almost all of them avoid the central question: Who counts as one of us?
Are the preborn alive or not? Are they living human beings or not? In most cases, pro-abortion factions avoid addressing those questions. They frame the discussion around choice, individual rights, and the safety of medical procedures. But no one answers that central question.
We’re answering today on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Who Counts as One of Us?
In 2019, Focus on the Family hosted an event called Alive from New York. Thousands gathered in Times Square to hear speakers and musicians proclaim the name of Jesus and the sanctity of human life.
Protesters showed up as well. They were a vocal minority … until they were silenced by the star of the event: a baby inside the womb. A holy hush fell over Times Square when we performed a live ultrasound and broadcast the heartbeat over loudspeakers.
Author Stephen Arterburn is our guest on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “The Crucial Role of Men Standing for Life.”
What I appreciate most about Steve is his vulnerability. On our program, for example, he’s sharing about the abortion he compelled his girlfriend to have when they were both college students. He also acknowledges that he believed at the time that abortion was an acceptable medical practice.
In the years since, Steve has discovered how woefully uninformed he was.
Today’s 5-4 decision in June Medical Services v. Russo is a discouraging development in a now 47-year campaign to preserve and protect preborn life.
By a narrow majority, the Supreme Court ruled that commonsense safety precautions for abortion clinics are somehow unconstitutional. Louisiana lawmakers had passed legislation to protect women seeking abortions after it was discovered some facilities had been ignoring basic safety regulations, including one clinic hiring an ophthalmologist and a radiologist to perform abortions.
In a particularly curious and frustrating twist, Chief Justice Roberts, who sided with the Court’s liberals, said the Court is merely following the legal precedent it set in its 2016 Whole Woman’s Health v.
I want to share a remarkable story with you about Focus on the Family, a police officer, a distraught young woman – and a baby whose life was spared minutes from certain death.
The names have been changed to protect all the parties involved – but it’s a true story of providence and God’s remarkable and mysterious ways.
“David” is a police officer and a military veteran. A brave and courageous guy – tough as nails type.
When Duck Dynasty’s Lisa Robertson was 16 years old, an abortion provider promised her that she was dispensing with a glob of tissue, would leave the clinic that day as good as new, and would never think about that moment again.
None of that was true.
Lisa immediately felt guilt about her decision. She sensed deep inside that something profoundly significant had just happened.
Years later, after she and Al married, she became pregnant with their first child.
Will you add your name to the #IAmProLife map to show the world that you believe unborn children are worthy of protection?
Melissa Ohden survived a saline infusion abortion. The hospital staff who carried out her abortion believed she had died until they heard her whimpering on the delivery table. Melissa is alive today because a nurse cared for her after she survived delivery.
Yet, would you believe that in more than twelve states, it’s legal for doctors to neglect newborns who survive abortions?
For over 40 years, our society has promoted the idea that abortion is as simple as a woman’s choice. Abortion affects her. No one else.
Pro-abortion activists never mention the babies, the men, and the families who are impacted forever by an abortion.
They also never talk about situations like Melissa’s. Her 19-year-old mother was in her third trimester when she was given a saline abortion. The procedure injects a toxic salt solution into the amniotic fluid surrounding the womb.
Author Stephen Arterburn is our guest on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “The Crucial Role of Men Standing for Life.”
What I appreciate most about Steve is his willingness to be vulnerable with his audience about his shortcomings. On our program, he’s sharing about the abortion he compelled his girlfriend to have when they were both college students.
In the years since, Steve has had to come to grips with the fact that he wasn’t the man that baby and young woman needed him to be.
We live in a culture of contradictions.
When it comes to issues of race and sexual orientation, society shouts the virtues of human dignity from the rooftops. But when it comes to preborn babies, the terminally ill, or the severely disabled, society’s tone changes. Suddenly, ideas like “choice” and “quality of life” trump human dignity.
The Bible says we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). We all have tremendous worth and value to God from the moment of conception to natural death.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
