A Look in the Mirror

We look in the mirror so often, but do we really see the reflection that is ourselves? Most especially, do we notice the changes that occur over time and notice what we have become? I don't mean just that there are more pounds and wrinkles and gray hair – although less of it. I'm referring to those subtleties that say we have grown more confident, or more conflicted – more wise, or more confused – more at peace, or more unsure.

The same is true of a society. From time to time families, communities, states, nations, and even those of us concerned about all people, really should look in the mirror and ponder the reflection that peers back. What do we see?

In the back of our minds we all probably have some concern about our culture and where we are headed. Some don't think we are changing fast enough in the "progressive" direction. They use words like tolerance, diversity, relevance. People like me worry that we have lost our way and maybe our soul along with it. I wonder what our founding fathers would think of America today. Would they be pleased with the evolution of the nation for which they risked their all? I think I know what our Heavenly Father thinks, and that concerns me a great deal.

I recently reviewed the summary findings of a study by the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organization documenting current worldwide abortion statistics. In keeping with the mission of both of these organizations, their focus was on using the report to lobby for increasing access to legal abortion and contraception in the name of improving women's health. What struck me was the shocking fact that for every 100 babies that are born in the world there are 31 that are aborted.

In Eastern Europe, for reasons I'd don't understand, actually has more abortions per year than babies born. And, tragically but not surprisingly with forced abortion, Asian countries have rates hovering around one abortion for every two births. The U.S. and Canada are near the global average rate of about 1:3.

Approximately 4.3 million babies are born each year in America, 1.5 million (36%) are born out of wedlock in fatherless families. The Guttmacher Institute estimates just short of 1.3 million more are never given a chance to be born because they are aborted. The next time you see three little children playing, realize there ought to be a fourth. While visiting East High School in Denver recently, I was told that at Columbine Elementary, a feeder school for East High, 50% of the children live with neither their biological mother nor father.

Some wish and work for a more compassionate society. Who can argue with that? We seem to have compassion for all kinds of things. A Lakewood couple drowned a sick cat recently rather than paying to have it euthanized. They face criminal charges and the story filled the papers, local news and even talk radio. Denverite Scott Clark had too much to drink while staying at a hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota. He faces felony charges for allegedly ripping the head off one of the hotel's tame ducks, and the story made national news. And, Michael Vick's stupid and cruel escapades with dog fighting have been news for months, and will likely end his professional football career and put him in prison.

I have no problem with any of the outrage over these and other examples of animal cruelty. To be sure, there is public disgust and outrage of cases of cruelty to children, too. The horrifying death by starvation of 7-year-old Chandler Grafner in Denver has sent shock waves throughout government agencies and the state. Alex and Molly Midyette of Louisville have been charged in the death of their ten-week-old son, Jason, who had 28 broken bones including a fractured skull. Understandably, this case sickened and outraged the community, and caused at least a brief questioning of how such a crime could even happen.

But, there apparently is little concern for the millions that are never even born. What concern there is seems to be for even more liberal, legal, unfettered access to continue the assault on the unborn. Those of us who speak out on behalf of this continuing tragedy are quickly labeled right wing extremist or religious zealots.

As I look at the world in which we live and America specifically, I have a heavy heart. How is it that a nation founded upon the great principle of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" can rationalize around 1.3 million abortions each year and 48.5 million since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. How is it that a nation proudly founded upon Judeo-Christian principles – ones like don't kill, and don't take what isn't yours (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness included) – can simply ignore this great hypocrisy that is a cancer devouring who we are as human beings and the principles upon which we were founded.

When we can rationalize around the taking of the most defenseless innocent life, what of any value remains that we cannot explain away? Yet we are told that the masses want abortion to remain legal – just in case of one of those "extreme" circumstances. The media is virtually silent about the real result of Roe v. Wade - total abortions since 1973 are more than ten times the population of Colorado, or the entire states of California and Pennsylvania combined.

Any presidential candidate or politician who supports overturning the 5-4 Supreme Court decision is attacked for being out of touch, opposed to women's rights, and extreme. Heaven help a nominee to the highest Court who openly admits they believe Roe was an incorrect decision! The Democrat majority in our legislature attacked the one sure way to avoid unwanted pregnancy – abstinence education – last year and imposed rules to teach more "modern" sex practices to our children.

We seem to willing to address and debate everything from the rights of prairie dogs to the melting arctic ice. The silence that encompasses the truth about abortion in our time is evidence that we know it is an unspeakable tragedy. Ignoring the truth will not make it go away, nor will it reconcile the guilt.