This week the Supreme Court will revisit one of the most devastating decisions ever made - Roe v Wade. The case before the court, Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, will decide whether a new Mississippi law which bans elective abortions after 15 weeks is constitutional. The court has an opportunity to undo a grievous constitutional error and end the killing of millions of preborn American children; an opportunity for the court to right a constitutional injustice.
Abortion supporters persistently remind the justices they must embrace the precedent set by Roe v Wade for the sake of the court’s legitimacy. But where does this “legitimacy” come from? Should the Court’s “legitimacy” be tied to public opinion? It is apparent some justices have based their decisions on personal preference. They have let their ideology infringe on the rule of law. The Founders did not intend for the third branch of government to be conservative or liberal or to rule based on personal opinion.
It is a dire fact that the Roe decision has resulted in the direct attack on human life. This decision has made a mockery of our Constitution. The Constitution begins with “We the people.” Pre-born children are people and have rights. But they don’t have rights when words like pro-choice, reproductive rights, a clump of cells and/or fetus are used to dehumanize them. Using words like fetus makes it easier to eliminate the “fetus.” As Americans, we all have to answer the question, “At what point in time is it safe to say the unborn human offspring is a baby – a real person?”
A few weeks ago a Forum headline read, “Accused Fargo shooter charged with 3 counts of murder, including unborn child.” The unborn child is counted then as a person. If you are an advocate for “a woman’s right to choose” or you consider yourself simply pro-choice, how do you explain a murder charge which includes an unborn child?
Science shows a baby develops a heartbeat early in the first trimester. A heartbeat proves the existence of life. North Dakota became the first state to pass a heartbeat bill. A district court blocked enforcement of the heartbeat law saying it was unconstitutional. Essentially, Roe v Wade takes precedence over the science of biology. This is the constitutional injustice the Supreme Court can finally undo.
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The battle for life in America has been long but strong. It is time for America to build a culture of life and love and to recognize the truth about each human person. A time to commemorate the 62 million lives lost to abortion and the men and women who have been hurt as a result of it. It is a time for renewed respect and the protection of all people, especially unborn children and their mothers.
Mother Teresa wisely said, “Abortion kills twice. It kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother.” I believe it also kills the conscience and the “heartbeat” of America. I hope the justices on the Supreme Court realize how important this opportunity truly is. Look around and marvel at all God created. Every life is his creation – and science proves it. May God’s wisdom influence the Supreme Court to finally overturn this evil in America – so “We the people” includes all people.
Ken Sims lives in Moorhead.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
