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It occurred to me this morning, as I thought about this post, that I’ve never given you any language directly from the pro-choice camp (at least that I remember!). I thought it might be good to remind you of what we’re truly up against, and confirm the need for a prayer team like this and our continued civic involvement. The following is directly from the NOW (National Organization for Women) web site, written by its former president, Kim Gandy (whole article here):

Reversing Roe is only one of several parallel long-term strategies of the anti-abortion movement. Their ultimate goal is to end abortion and contraceptive use entirely, by any woman in any state, and one of their strategies involves establishing that fetuses, even fertilized eggs, are “persons” under the protection of the U.S. Constitution.

Not sure why establishing “fetal personhood” would be so important to our opponents? Take a look at the Roe v. Wade decision language that still guides their patient strategy:

If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant’s [Roe’s] case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [Fourteenth] Amendment.

In other words, if opponents can convince the Supreme Court that “times have changed” since Roe was decided and that a fetus should now be recognized as a “person” under the Constitution, then abortion would immediately become an act of murder in every state across the country. And once a fetus is considered a “person” under the U.S. Constitution, no legislation, no ballot measure, no court case, no vote will be able to keep abortion legal in this country.

They aren’t just talking about this long term strategy — they’ve been carrying it out for years. They’re laying the groundwork for the establishment of fetal personhood through legislation, regulation, and executive actions on a regular basis, and we take this threat lightly at our peril.

Our opponents know that when deciding whether a previous case should be overruled, the Supreme Court can and does consider changes in social and political norms. For example, in overturning the Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which had found the doctrine of “separate but equal” to be constitutionally permissible, the Supreme Court (in Brown v. Board of Education) looked at the “separate but equal” doctrine “in the light of its full development and its present place in American life” and found that the situation had changed sufficiently to justify overruling their prior decision.

Although the subject is different, that example may help activists understand why the right-wing is so determined to change the social and political status of the fetus. Because they intend to use the changes they are now pushing to bolster future arguments for a reversal of Roe, and beyond that, for the constitutional elevation of fetal personhood — and we must oppose their efforts for the same reason.

It all DOES boil down to “fetal personhood” doesn’t it? The pro-choice camp is obviously very well-versed in what is important to the pro-life camp, doing everything they can to combat the truth of life at conception. We would be wise to be as well-educated on their viewpoint as we are on our own, and well-versed in the truth of the Word. We simply can’t effectively fight for the cause of the unborn otherwise.

Father God, we come to You today – many believers, one voice – to stand for life. Lord, help us to immerse ourselves in Your Word as we go to battle, allowing us to stand firm and be a beacon in the darkness of this issue. Open our eyes to see every deception so that we can speak out against it with Your Truth and in Your love. And through it all, help us to model Christ in all we do. Believing You will change one heart for many, we pray in the MIGHTY, LIFE-GIVING NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, Amen.