Inspired by the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I decided to write on a topic she was very influential in discussing as a Supreme Court Justice: abortion. A controversial debate in both Christianity and society in general, I decided to speak from my position as a woman and as a Reverend. I welcome anyone to listen if they have an open mind and forgiving heart.
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsberg
In the spirit of Moving in Courage, I ask these questions: What offense is worse: Murdering your child before life fully manifests, or bringing life, and then never offering security, stability, or love, because your choice was made to avoid penalty? One still commits a crime when a child is hungry, abused or traumatized because one didn’t have the means or mental capacity to give birth. It is still a crime when one cannot see the parenting process through? At what point is the refusal to be a parent NOT a crime? As a society, Do We fairly discuss or consider the ramifications of keeping children we cannot keep or having children when women are raped, have medical issues, and are violated, tortured, or trafficked? What rights do the latter have?
Regarding Abortion and women’s rights, I truly wonder if this topic is magnified solely because it is either morally and biblically wrong or also due to the additional cultural and societal shame we place upon it. It’s insidious to believe that God never considered the act of abortion. It may not be mentioned in the Bible, but God knows all. Every sin we commit as human beings has a cost, and living with the choice of abortion is a life sentence. Having other people criticize, degrade, or trying to prove a point by quoting bible verses, doesn’t lessen the blow, or moves a person closer to a moral and just life. Instead, the condemnation of others pushes these women further away from God and his teachings.
This Decision (taking away the rights of abortion) has far greater ramifications in society than a decision in morality. It is a premise of patriarchy and, in my opinion, is based on a system that encourages controlling the decisions of women. Being Pro-life and “All Lives Matter” does not mean as much if you do not support people in every stage of their life, from its beginning to death. You cannot support life and support killing a black person on a street. You cannot support life and leave children in cages at the border. If the 
decision to vote against abortion had the sole “Christian”, intention of protecting a life then other Christian values like clothing the poor, feeding the hungry, and curing the sick, would also be supported; because ALL life is valuable. However, you do not see many politicians today voting for those measures… As Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “This is something central to a woman’s life, to her dignity. It’s a decision that she must make for herself. And when government controls that decision for her, she’s being treated as less than a fully adult human responsible for her own choices.” Having the right to an abortion is not a license to commit murder; it is a license to choose. Yes, a sin is sin, and once one commits a sin, it is difficult to take back. But the decision to choose is not just about morality, because if it were, then you would rest easy at the fact that’s the decision is between women and their maker. People commit sins everyday, some are legal, and some are not. Yet those that sin will have consequences that they will live with for the rest of their life. You cannot save someone from sinning, but you can support her by making their choice safe regardless. There are many heroin addicts in our country, and you cannot prevent them from taking drugs. But you can give them resources, (ex. clean needles, Narcan in case they overdose, and cleaning materials), so that these addicts can stay safe and alive. Women deserve that same support. Taking away the right to abortion will only prevent SAFE abortions, and kill women in the process. Even if you do not agree with their beliefs, giving women the proper resources to abort safely will keep them alive and that is truly Pro-Life. Refrain from judgment, Keep an open heart and an open mind, and support to those that have to make this tough decision, for you might bring them (and yourself) closer to God in the process.
