The Dismemberment Bill and Stopping the Killing

I literally hate writing this blog. To write a critique of the South Carolina House Bill entitled, “SC Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act” (H3548), feels at a visceral level very wrong. Yes, dismemberment abortion to a second trimester baby in the womb through surgical cutting or ripping is about as cruel, barbaric and ghastly a procedure as could be imagined by any sane person. A “gut” reaction to any thinking, moral person is to yell “stop it” now. But here is the problem…the same could be said for a half-dozen other ways to exterminate a baby in the womb and we simply cannot find the moral outrage or courage to look at this whole death industry and say, “stop it” now. In fact, upon reading the bill, you will find that it contains the usual exceptions: life of the mother, rape, and incest, as well as specifically excluding suction methods for abortion and extraction. I can only assume that this would maintain intact saline abortions (otherwise known as “salting out”) which after insertion of the chemical into the mother’s amniotic fluid sac and waiting an hour the pre-born baby is effectively burned to death and removed. No less ghastly and barbaric procedure, but apparently not gruesome enough to be enjoined in H3548.

I understand the arguments for incrementalism. I understand that there are many in both the pro-life and political establishment which are convinced that these incremental micro-steps are the only way to stop this moral outrage. The attempt to legislate the outright abolition of abortion has far too many risks according to many of these people. The stated concerns usually swirl around the constitutionality of attempting too much at one time and actually losing ground. Others say that the cost of defending abolishment legislation is too much for the state. In other words, it is simply impractical and fiscally irresponsible to do what is morally right. Therefore, legislation like H3548, is the safer, more cost effective method of addressing this moral evil. It’s the reason why S217 (SC Senate, Personhood Bill), a true abolishment step, has always had an uphill battle with many pro-life advocates. They see fiscal and legal impracticality while others see moral imperative.

But the Dismemberment Bill “feels” better to support. It’s easy to unveil it’s barbarism. People “get” the horror of ripping an easily identified baby apart. Hey, I get it too. To suggest that our strategic plans to abolish abortion are not best served by this bill appears uncaring or uncommitted (which is simply not the truth). But somebody should ask the question, “How, exactly, does this move the ball forward towards the ultimate goal of abolishment? How do you regulate one form of killing, yet not the equally gruesome alternative forms of killing and maintain your integrity in stopping the American Holocaust?” I understand the incendiary comparison to Nazi Germany, but what real progress would have been made in stopping that holocaust by regulating the Nazi’s use of gas chambers when they had equally vile ways of killing the Jewish people? Slapping each other’s back and “feeling” better about the removal of gas chambers does not effect the foundational evil when firing squads and gallows are still available. Christians can choose to live in the mirage that some momentum is being loosed by passing H3548, but the reality remains that the number of babies killed is likely unchanged. I hate saying that, but I can see no other outcome. In my analysis, I see several concerns that we need to be painfully honest:

1. H3548 addresses the abortionist. It in no way changes the minds or addresses the actions of those who opt for abortion. Is there any thinking person who is not convinced that the abortionist will find another way around the regulation? The exceptions themselves provide ample cover to any abortionist in these matters.

2. However many lives H3548 purports to save, the fact is there are options around this procedure which still kills the baby. You cannot use the statistic indicating the number of babies subject to dismemberment as an analogous statistic as to how many babies will be saved. The horrific fact is that if there is a “will there is a way”. Both abortionist and mothers will find a way.

3. H3548 addresses a procedure for 2nd trimester abortions used exclusively in hospitals and will not change the untold thousands of babies killed in freestanding clinics.

And yet, incredible amounts of money, energy, and political capital are spent on these types of bills. We schedule debates to determine the type of weapon which can be used to kill babies, rather than address the killing itself. Am I the only one seeing a tragic convolution in all of this? Why is it that our political adversaries and moral relativists can take momentous steps to change the definition of marriage, gender, and bathroom usage; but Christians and civic leaders cannot summon the courage and the financial commitment to stop the killing and defend the legislation which enforces it?

So the question arises, “Will I support H3548?”

Let me answer like this…

I will not discourage passage of the bill, but you won’t find me beating the drum for it either. I won’t be the spoiler to evaporate the mirage many choose to live in by thinking that progress has been made to address the greatest social justice issue of our era. I understand that people in our era are looking for a “feeling” that appears to be substantive, instead of standing on a principle that transcends momentary feelings in order to establish true justice. For me, running in circles is not the same as moving the ball down the field. I have no problem with valid incrementalism which substantively reduces killing and is effectively pointed towards true abolishment. What I do have a problem with is the resistance of the professional pro-life movement in numerous states consistently and actively resisting opportunities to abolish this atrocity. You may say that your stated goals are for abolishment, but your strategy and tactics are speaking something else. So pass H3548 and declare a victory…over what I am not sure, but it will at least momentarily feel good. As for me and a growing army of others…we continue to say to the Church and to our civic leaders…”It’s time now, to stop the killing”.

Published byKevin Baird

Dr. Baird is an advocate for believers to live their faith 24/7 and apply it comprehensively in every area of their life. He has traveled extensively speaking on pastors engaging culture and is often solicited as a media analyst or commentator with regards to Christian views in public policy. If you would like to contact him for speaking to your group please contact him at: bairdk370@gmail.com

5 Comments

  • Rick David

    April 3, 2017 at 9:38 pm Reply

    How would this be enforced? It is unenforceable. By supporting it you sacrifice your moral authority to say that all infanticide is wrong because you just agreed that in some circumstances it is permissible.

    • Kevin Baird

      April 6, 2017 at 1:53 am Reply

      Exactly

  • Ted R. Weiland

    April 3, 2017 at 10:35 pm Reply

    Well said!

    However, ” the ultimate goal of abolishment” will never be realized without courageous Christians who are willing to identify and address the genesis of in utero infanticide here in America, a genesis most contemporary Christians ironically promote as the solution to this and most other abominations in America today:

    “…3. Every problem America faces today can be traced back to the fact that the framers failed to expressly establish a government upon Yahweh’s immutable morality as codified in His commandments, statutes, and judgments. (Would infanticide and sodomy be tolerated, let alone financed by the government, if Yahweh’s perfect law and altogether righteous judgments were the law of the land? Would Islam be a looming threat to our peace and security if the First Amendment had been replaced with the First Commandment? Would Americans be in nearly as much debt if usury had been outlawed as a form of theft? Would crime be as rampant if “cruel and unusual punishment” had not been outlawed and criminals were instead punished with Yahweh’s altogether righteous judgments? Would we be on the fiscal cliff if we were taxed with a flat increase tax rather than a graduated income tax?)….

    “On February 27, 2009, James Dobson conceded that we have lost the culture wars. This is the consequence of Christians [including Dr. Dobson] having spent the last two centuries lopping at the rotten branches of our culture’s corrupt tree while watering and fertilizing its roots.

    “We should lop away at the tree’s corrupt branches (infanticide, sodomy, the economy, etc.). However, until the root of these problems is Biblically addressed, we will never shut down the infanticide mills, we will never defeat the sodomites, and we will never fix the economy. In short, we will never win the culture wars. This issue is more than important for anyone concerned about God, our nation, and the future of our posterity, it’s the cutting- edge issue of our day….”

    For more, see our Featured Blog Article “5 Reasons the Constitution is Our Cutting-Edge Issue” at http://www.bibleversusconstitution.org/.

  • Chris

    April 5, 2017 at 1:42 pm Reply

    Good article and well said.

    However, and more importantly, one of the many areas there should be no compromise is His Righteous Judgments for the crime spoken of here.

    Until the so called “Pro-lifers” start advocating for His judgment (death penalty) for murder in the womb, little will change.

    And Now Murderers:

    “How the faithful city has become a harlot, She was full of justice!  Righteous once lodged in her, But now murderers.”   Isaiah 1:21.

    “Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”  Hosea 4: 6.

    And: verse 10: “They will play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have stopped giving heed to Yahweh.”

    The only way to save this nation is to turn back to Him, His Perfect Moral Laws, Statutes and Judgments, i.e., His Kingdom/Will On Earth.

    He told us that if His people ” … shall humble themselves (e.g., quit thinking we’re the sovereign, take our proper place and quit usurping His), and pray, and seek my face (e.g., He’s to be the ONLY law giver), and turn from their wicked ways (e.g., seek His Kingdom/Will and promote the enforcement of His Laws, Statutes and Judgments); THEN will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

    “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, And I will give you rest. Take My yoke (i.e., His Law 1 John 5: 2 & 3, as well as His tithe [tax] system) upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and ‘YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.’ (Jer. 6: 16). My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” Matthew 11: 28 – 30.

    Seek Him while He may yet be found.  The Judgments are surrounding you.

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