More than Potential

Like the farmer who recognizes that losing a seed, sprout, or grown plant before the season ends will ultimately diminish his harvest, it is important for us to recognize and value life through each of its stages. To say that an acorn is not an oak tree is like saying a boy is not a man. Obviously, the boy is not yet a man, but this does not mean one has more life than the other. Just as the acorn and the oak are of the same species, the boy and the man are both human. Neither age nor physical development provide ability to change species.

Just as a seed is more than mere potential for life, but is itself a living entity, so too are the millions of unborn children who deserve the opportunity to enjoy the life they have already received.

Life Itself

I don’t think the value of life, in general, is questioned. Society does a good job of recognizing the value of each individual, even those who do not think or act like others. This is clearly evidenced by our reaction when life is lost.

Some die in old age, others due to sickness or war, and still others to tragic accidents. We rightfully mourn each loss of life.

Still more poignant is the loss of life due to human choice. Death because of the choices of others is more emotional because societies have accepted the responsibility to protect life. Life lost under these circumstances represent some degree of societal failure.

As individuals, we do not feel responsible for the murder of another because we have done our part to teach the immorality of such actions. We obey the law and encourage others to do the same. We have a responsibility to do all that we can in order to limit murder in our society, but we do not need to feel personal blame when it occurs because we have done all we can do.

But what about individuals whom we do have control over?

Our thoughts concerning the protection of human life ought to be even more adamant, and still a silly idea is present, that a human is not a human until they have breathed our air, as if breathing the same air as the rest of us somehow gives them life.

Each unborn child is more than simply some random potential for life, they are living beings – humans to be exact.

Research is quite clear that, although dependent upon the mother, are two

I recognize there are times when abortion is necessary and we need to be understanding of the terrible weight that comes when one must choose between the life of two individuals in those circumstances, yet I do believe that our society has allowed the normalization of a great evil in accepting abortion. The detrimental impact on the child ought to be enough to warrant an end to such crimes.

If not, the harm to the individual families suggests

And finally, I fear a great harm to society if we continue to engage in these heinous acts. A value system that allows individuals to choose which life is most valuable based on convenience will naturally influence public opinion on other important issues, even if only subtly.

And so let us find value in life. Let us protect those who cannot protect themselves.