Recently, a woman by the name of Emily Letts posted a video on YouTube (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxPUKV-WlKw) that positively promoted the abortion of her baby. While it is concerning that a woman would desire to destroy the life of her child, what really set this video apart is the fact that Letts sought to demonstrate that her abortion (i.e. the killing of her child) was a positive experience. In addition, another YouTube vlogger by the name “NaturalMomma” posted a video on how she supported Letts abortion in a video entitled “I Love Abortion” (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHUPCobxOyY). The most disturbing element of this video was that while “NautralMomma” was addressing the glories of abortion, her children are heard playing in the background.
The real problem with both of these posts is not in the blatant promotion of the pro-choice agenda. No, there is a darker, more sinister attitude growing. This attitude is not necessarily found in every pro-choice individual, but it is found in the ideology of Letts and “NaturalMomma.” It is an attitude not of a pro-choice movement, but of a pro-death movement, although some may rightly argue that a pro-choice decision is pro-death advocacy. “NaturalMomma” and Letts both seem to find themselves more closely aligned with Bill Maher’s “pro-death ideology” (as seen in his interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqMSPooXJIk). In fact, the mentality found in these three indicate what I call a Pro-Death Movement. There are three main problems with this mindset:
- What is the value of life?
In the Letts, “NaturalMomma,” and Maher’s definition of life, there is no value. Life is expendable. Maher would claim that human life is equivalent to a dog. But in the grand scheme of things, even dogs have value. Let’s be honest, Michael Vick was condemned due to his exploits of animals, yet according to “NaturalMomma” the slaughter of innocent children is “nothing to be ashamed of” (NaturalMomma, YouTube). There cannot be a “positive abortion story” (NaturalMomma, YouTube) because in every abortion there is a victim…the child.
However, for the Christian, there is value to all life as opposed to Maher who sees no value in any life. In Genesis, it is recorded that “God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Every human being has a purpose. Emily Letts, “NaturalMomma,” and even Bill Maher’s life holds value. And let it be said that just because I do not agree with these individuals does not indicate that I hate them for the very reason of Genesis 1:27. All life has value…even a fetus.
- Who decides when life is valuable?
Another problem is this: who gets to decide whose life is valuable? Here there are serious consequences to the Pro-Death Movement. Adolf Hitler saw the lives of Jewish individuals as expendable…and anyone else who disagreed with him. Joseph Stalin had no problem executing anyone who crossed his path. The same can be said of those of those ruled throughout history. For Bill Maher, I would probably be expendable.
Yet again, because there is value to life, people do not get to pick and choose who they randomly want to execute. That is why laws are set in place such as “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Jesus also instructed the Christian to “love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44b-45). Why? Because all human life is valuable! Yes there may be times when capital punishment and war-time endeavors are necessary. However, an innocent child meets neither of those exceptions.
- When is life deemed valuable?
Finally, the advocates of the Pro-Death Movement must ask themselves…when is life valuable? Many pro-life advocates have used the acronym SLED to demonstrate the differences between a fetus and a fully grown adult and ask the question; when one is determined human? SLED stands for:
S- Size: (Does the size of a human determine its value? If so, does a midget hold less value than a giant? If not, then why is an unborn fetus seen any differently?)
L- Level of Development: (Does the level of development determine human value? If so, is one who is handicapped in some area less than human? If not, then why does the development of a fetus dictate anything different?)
E- Environment: (Does one’s environment determine human value? If so, then is one who lives in the country less human than one who lives in the city? If not, then why does the location of a fetus indicate anything different?)
D- Dependency: (Does one’s level of dependence determine human value? If so, then does a teenager who depends on his or her parents indicate that they are less than human…or a college student? If not, then why does the fetus’ dependency indicate anything different?)
When is a human a human? The Bible makes it clear. In Jeremiah, God told the prophet, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). In Romans, Paul wrote, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29). Life begins at conception. The Bible indicates that God foreknows individuals before they are even born. People have value. There is value to life.
Conclusion
This article was not written to condemn those who promote the Pro-Death Movement, but rather to demonstrate the great problems associated with any worldview that demerits the value of human life. Whether one is a few days or 100 years old, humans have worth. Humans have value. I have value. You have value, too.
All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, comes from the New Living Translation, 3rd ed. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.
