Defending Life
Posted January 28, 2011
As we commemorate the millions of innocent lives that have been destroyed by abortion since the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are faced with a blatant decline and growing absence of morality in our nation. The late R. Sergent Shriver, founder of the Job Corps, once said:
The advocates of abortion on demand falsely assume two things: that women must suffer if the lives of unborn children are legally protected; and that women can only attain equality by having the legal option of destroying their innocent offspring in the womb. The cynicism of these assumptions reflects a terrible failure of moral imagination and social responsibility and an appalling lack of respect for women.
Indeed, abortion is not an issue of women’s equality. It is not an issue of individual choice and rights. It is an issue of life and death. Shriver’s words directly touch on the moral dilemma that our nation faces today. On Monday, January 24, 2011, your NJFPC team joined hundreds of thousands of life defenders in Washington, D.C. at the annual March for Life.
While the day was truly exhilarating and faith-filled, D.C. was not the only place where advocates joined together to speak out in support of life. New Jerseyans who could not make the trip to D.C. gathered at the Statehouse while Governor Christie made pro-life history. Christie, who has always identified as pro-life, took a bold and courageous step forward by speaking up about the abortion issue. In sub-20 degree weather, he addressed a bundled and passionate crowd on the steps of the statehouse with the comforting words, “I am with you” in support of every human life.
Christie’s vocal stance was the first time a governor has addressed a pro-life rally, as Marie E. Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, points out. The governor explained how hearing the heartbeat of one of his unborn daughters intensely impacted him. He also proudly referenced our Founding Fathers: “Our founders said we should stand for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Without life, there cannot be liberty, nor the pursuit of happiness.”
Let’s hope that the governor’s dedicated pro-life stance influences important pro-life and pro-family legislation in our state!
While Christie addressed the crowds in Trenton, your NJFPC team and a bus load of passionate pro-life NJ constituents, ages 13 – 80, joined the hundreds of thousands of marchers who come to D.C. to be a voice for the unborn. Mainstream media reports failed to acknowledge the 400,000[1] people that proudly marched up Independence Avenue towards the capitol, but the streets were swarming with pro-lifers taking a stand and making themselves known. The walk was an absolutely awesome and energizing experience. Music and prayer invigorated the marchers. Before the march, we fueled up with lunch and a tour at the beautiful building of the Family Research Council, and after, visited the offices of several legislators before our bus picked us up for the long ride home.
After President Obama’s State of the Union, which expressed policies that undermine life and the family, we need to continue vocalizing our stance on these important issues and work to restore a moral code to our country. To those Americans who are pro-choice, we respond with President Reagan’s words: “Have you noticed that everyone who is pro-choice has been born?”
And to those women who have been scarred by abortion, know that you are not alone and there is always hope. Jesus said there is no sin which is unforgivable, and there are many steps you can take towards emotional and spiritual healing. Project Rachel counselors, various clergymen and women, and compassionate laypeople are available through the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation at 1-800-5-WE-CARE.
