PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY

In the ongoing debate regarding abortion, euthanasia and other life issues, there are those people who are pro-life, those that are pro-abortion and a huge number of people who just don’t want to think about the subject. How did we pro-life people come to our position and how can anyone avoid even thinking about whether each person’s life is valuable? We pro-life people have been given a great privilege in that we realize the importance and uniqueness of each person. We have been able to weigh the arguments for and against abortion and recognize the dignity inherent in each human being. We see the need to protect our most defenseless. We made the effort to make a judgement as to whether abortion, euthanasia and other acts like them are morally justifiable and allowable according to the basic right listed in our Constitution. We should realize that we have been given the gift of recognition of what is at stake in this debate. For all those who don’t want to think about it, it’s just a lot easier to avoid the exhausting mental conflict of making a decision. I’ll agree that it’s much easier to float through life than to take a stand but some issues are too important to be ignored. For those of us who do realize what’s at stake – basically the intrinsic worth of each of us as human beings – there is a responsibility that comes with our privilege. We are aware of the magnitude of this issue. We know what effect it has on all of us. It is our duty to do whatever we can to defend the right to life of each of us. Whenever there is an opportunity to speak out in defense of the dignity and right to life of each person, we need to do it. If all of those in our society who do not want to think about abortion are ever going to realize how important each person is, it will be one of us pro-lifers who invites them to consider the subject. It’s up to us to make the difference and speak the truth. It’s our privilege and responsibility.