Author: John Stonestreet | Jared Hayden
Abortion is “on the ballot this November.” In ten states, extreme abortion measures will be put before voters. Last month, a panel of pro-life experts discussed the threat of these state ballot initiatives and amendments that, if passed, would expand abortion “rights’’ and even add abortion as a protected right in many state constitutions.
The panel was put together by the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and co-hosted by the House Values Action Team. It featured four abortionists-turned-pro-life OBGYNs who shared their stories and expertise to debunk the numerous lies being spun about these proposals and to help Christians spread pro-life truth during this critical election season.
First, in ad campaigns for many of these proposals, treatments for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies are conflated with abortion. Activists are claiming (lying, really) that if abortion is restricted, women won’t be able to receive treatments for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, or other life-threatening conditions. Moreover, activists are wrongly proclaiming that women will be penalized for getting health care.
During the panel, Florida-based OBGYN Dr. Kathi Aultman stated that OBGYNs clearly distinguish between an abortion and health care: “I never had any confusion throughout my practice about [whether I was] doing an abortion when I was treating an ectopic [pregnancy] or miscarriage. That’s very clear. I think that’s been very clear to all OBGYNs.” Nor is there any state law that would criminally charge a mother who sought this care.
Second, these proposals aren’t about protecting women’s health care but rather about enshrining unrestricted access to abortion. As Arizona-based Dr. Tony Levatino pointed out, the language of proposed amendments like Arizona’s Proposition 139 would “open the door to any and all abortions at any and all gestational ages up to birth for any and all reasons. This is the unstated goal of the proposition.”
These amendments, in fact, make personal autonomy the only guiding principle when it comes to abortion. As Levatino went on,
Personal autonomy … is not the only [principle]. All humans, including the patient and her living son or daughter are entitled to ethical considerations [that] include beneficence (doing good things and promoting that individual’s welfare), non-maleficence (not causing harm), and justice (the concepts that all humans have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). Personal autonomy is not unlimited.
So many of the ballot measures that were passed after Roe was kicked back to the states have been used to dismantle “any and all” restrictions. For example, while a state may have a law that prohibits abortion after the point of viability (usually the end of the second trimester), a state amendment enshrining abortion effectively allows a woman to get an abortion whenever she wants for any reason. Even worse, by making abortion a fundamental “right,” these amendments also open up tax-payer funding for abortion.
As South Dakota-based panelist Dr. Patti Giebink noted, these amendments will go far beyond “restoring” Roe v. Wade, as their proponents claim. They will usher in a national epidemic of tragic cases like Amber Thurman—the Georgia mother who lost her life from chemical abortion.
Thirdly, contrary to the misinformation being peddled by abortion activists, the elimination of restrictions will only harm pregnant mothers and their children. The panelists repeatedly made clear that abortions—whether chemical or surgical—are risky. For example, Dr. Levatino pointed out that 2 to 8% of chemical abortion patients experience complications. As he put it: “2 to 8% is not ‘rare,’” despite what abortion activists claim. There’s a reason why abortion has been heavily regulated.
And finally, Christians and all pro-lifers must continue to speak truth to dispel the lies. This takes courage—sometimes out of our comfort zone—toward a loved-one, friend, or neighbor when it is clear they are confused or misled. In the words of Colorado-based panelist Dr. Catherine Wheeler, who is also a Colson Fellow, abortion remains a “black box” for most in our society. For them, “It’s like it never happened. ... These women’s lives have forever been changed whether they recognize it at the time … or not.”
We must also speak the truth about the hope there is in Christ for restoration and redemption.