How Many Moments Shall We Miss?

This week, John Kasich, a self-identified pro-life governor of Ohio, vetoed a “Heartbeat Bill” which would ostensibly abolish abortion after detection of the baby’s heartbeat in the womb (as early as 6 weeks); and instead signed a 20-week abortion ban. The reasoning Kasich offered was the “Heartbeat” bill was clearly unconstitutional and the state would have to spend untold amounts of money in defending it while the 20 week ban was more feasible in “sustaining the sanctity of human life”. Tell that to the 19 week old baby in the womb…but I digress from my point.

There are numbers of sound biblical, philosophical, legal and constitutional reasons to have signed the heartbeat legislation. Those arguments are easily googled and found on the Internet. For those of us who are committed to abolishing abortion, I understand that the heartbeat bill still comes up short, but it cannot be denied that this legislation would have been a great leap in movement to that end instead of the micro-steps of incrementalism which we have been subjected to the last 43 years. My point is that the Ohio (state) Right to Life actually suggested the 20 week bill as the course of action to Kasich instead of the far more dramatic and substantive heartbeat bill. In other words, the establishment pro-life lobbyists opted for a micro-step, instead of seizing the moment of supporting an actual heartbeat bill on the governor’s desk. It is analogous to what takes place in numerous conservative states by the establishment pro-life lobbyists. Take for instance the strange case in South Carolina. In much the same manner there were two “pro-life” actions moving through the 2 chambers. One was a “Personhood” constitutional amendment to recognize the humanity of a baby in the womb and the other was a 20-week fetal pain bill. The establishment pro-life lobbyists (South Carolina Right to Life) supported the 20-week fetal pain ban instead of the Personhood Amendment. They did this in a state which does not allow abortions past 16 weeks. What’s going on? Why would a group who says they are committed to ending abortion, in fact, consistently avoid opportunities to do exactly that?

They say it’s strategic. To try to do too much too soon might legally blow up in our faces and reverse whatever “gains” have been achieved to this point. It is better to keep whittling at the edges of this evil and try to regulate it to death than actually stand up and defend life and attack the evil codified in our culture.

I say…it’s time for a change.

It’s time for a new playbook.

In much the same way the election of Trump was an indictment on the pseudo-conservative, establishment, do-nothing GOP; it is time to bring the indictment upon the pseudo-conservative, establishment pro-life movement who has failed in their stated mission to stop the slaughter. I know this won’t set well with some I know who have worked within those circles for years, but it’s time to mark the cowardice of our politicians to move dramatically in this regard instead of giving them high marks and political cover for dancing with this evil on the edges. Why is it that the liberal left can make tremendous strides in their social agenda and go for great gains with no thought of cost to advance or defend their deceptions while social conservatives, in defense of the truth, timidly accept the incremental table scraps of legislation that does nothing to stop the killing? And why do state Right to Life organizations endorse all of this?

The establishment pro-life movement has lost its credibility.

Whether you (PLM) intended for this picture to be painted or not, there are many who are convinced that if abortion was abolished, your reason for existence would also be abolished and there is too much at stake for that to happen.

I know…

That stings…

I have been yelled at in phone conversations from a few establishment pro-lifers who take incredible exception at what I am suggesting. I have been marginalized by some conservative lobbyists and politicians because I push this very point. When do we stop the slaughter? If now is not the time, then please paint the picture as to when will be the time. When will the stars align in such a way that we will pass and sign abolishment laws that are significant and spend the money and energy in defending it all the way to the Supreme Court? Trump has promised conservative judges. Some of you touted that as the reason to vote for him. We need to start legislating now so those judges will be in place to sustain those state statutes.

Where is the vision?

Where is the strategy?

When is the time?

How many of these moments shall we miss?

AND…

WHERE IS THE COURAGE?

States like Ohio and South Carolina had prime opportunities to do something substantive in this regard…but you provided the cover for politicians to waffle. This is why it is critical for pastors to regain their prophetic footing again and lead the way in influencing our civic leaders to do the dramatic thing. Obedience is rarely incremental. There is a moment we as individuals and we as a nation simply do what is right.

We lost a strategic moment in Ohio. We cannot do this for another 40 years. Those we looked to as “generals” in this war on the unborn failed us. I believe it is time to find some new “generals” for this season.