Op-ed: Abortion is not murder

“It must be pointed out that ‘life begins at conception’ is neither scientific nor a part of any (ancient) traditional religious teaching. The writers of the bible (as well as other religious texts) knew nothing about eggs, sperm, or fertilization. It was only after medical science revealed the basic steps in embryonic development in the mid-20th century that some religious groups seized on the idea that human life must therefore ‘begin’ at fertilization. The idea was made up by religious leaders, who intentionally chose to interpret the events of early development to suit their preconceived ideas and who then started preaching this dictum [this human idea] as fact.” 

This statement by Richard J. Paulson, M.D., M.S., is taken from Dr. Paulson’s August 19, 2022, article “It is worth repeating: ‘life begins at conception’ is a religious, not a scientific concept.” (See Fertility & Sterility Reports, a publication of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)  

In 2021 LIFE’S EDGE: A SEARCH FOR WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ALIVE, a book by Carl Zimmer, a New York Times science writer and professor of molecular biology at Yale University, was published. This book offers readers an illuminating journey through a wide assortment of scientific views on what scientists presently believe it means to be alive. Many of these views are still very much “works in progress.” There is not one, uniform scientific view which can be demonstrated on what it means to be alive. 

You and I can say that an egg and a sperm are “alive”. This seems to make sense as an egg and sperm are not inanimate objects like rocks. They move. Fertilization takes place. However, a fertilized egg is just that. It is a fertilized egg. It is a POTENTIAL human being. It is NOT a human being. Therefore, a woman who decides to have an abortion has decided to have a cluster of cells removed from her body. She has NOT chosen to commit murder. 

Let us go one step further. Religious thinkers who have chosen to believe that a fertilized egg is a human being even when it is still a cluster of cells, by using this very same reasoning could choose to require a pregnant woman to treat a fertilized egg within her as a corpse. Why? because that is POTENTIALLY what a fertilized egg will eventually become: a corpse. But I have never heard anyone argue that we must treat a fertilized egg as the corpse it will become. So why must a fertilized egg be treated as the human being it will become?

I believe that Arizona Republican state representative David Cook understands the critical difference between religious and scientific beliefs. On April 20, 2024, Representative Cook questioned the use of religious perspectives when abortion is discussed. He said, “I believe that life begins at conception, I really do. But I shouldn’t try to force my personal and religious beliefs.” I believe Representative Cook truly understands the reasonableness of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religions, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”  Why is this reasonable? Because religious beliefs, no matter how sincere, cannot be proven to be true. However, religious beliefs are powerful motivators and they have been intentionally and skillfully manipulated into a potent political force. 

Enter the NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (NAR), a group familiar to evangelicals and like-minded denominations who are convinced that a Christian nationalist government must replace our secular democratic republic.  How influential is this group? Consider this: One of its leaders, Paula White-Cain, gave the invocation at Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration, the invocation at the kick-off of his 2020 reelection campaign, and the invocation at the January 6, 2021 “stop the steal” rally in Washington, D.C. Moreover, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, an evangelical Christian, has said that NAR leader Jim Garlow has influenced his life. Has Garlow also influenced Rep. Johnson’s views on the First Amendment and our nation’s commitment to the separation of church and state? 

Our nation was founded to be a secular democratic republic. Yet here we are watching a candidate for president being supported by well-organized, well-funded, highly motivated religious activists who are turning religious fervor into votes for a convicted felon who abetted and praised the January 6, 2021, attack on our nation’s Capitol.

At this moment our secular democratic republic is facing a truly terrifying threat. Thankfully, we still have the power needed to protect it – our right to vote. But we must take immediate steps against this potentially lethal threat by actively supporting and working to elect candidates who understand, respect, and will defend the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.