As a nation, we recently mourned on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday the almost sixty-two million babies of all races killed by abortion since the Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade. This solemn occasion is the result of President Ronald Reagan’s historic 1984 Presidential Proclamation of National Sanctity of Human Life Day, on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, the third Sunday of each January, commemorates the lives lost to abortion and proclaims protecting human life at every stage.
Life is precious and begins at conception. It is heartbreaking and unfortunate that this is a controversial statement. I strongly believe that as a society we are judged by how we protect those who are the most vulnerable, and given the unborn cannot speak for themselves, there is no group more vulnerable. Having watched my children experience the miracle of life with their growing families and welcoming 10 grandchildren into this world has only further cemented my unwavering belief in safeguarding the unborn’s right to life.
In 49 years since the Roe v. Wade decision, the medical community has made massive advances that clearly establish that life begins at conception. A heartbeat can be heard as early as six weeks after conception! Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows the unborn, and God is growing that child with a purpose in our world. The black and white ultrasound picture clearly shows this growing baby.
The third Monday every January, our nation honors the most famous American civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s peaceful struggle against racial discrimination and civil rights was valiant, and the delivery of his 1963 speech “I have a Dream” was the impetus of a movement that led to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Is it coincidental that the day our nation honors the unborn, and the day our nation honors the man who was instrumental in the decision to outlaw discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin are so often consecutive days? I think not. As a nation, we still have unfinished business to protect the lives of the unborn as we continue our nation’s civil rights fight.
This is a fight against the worst form of discrimination, discrimination against life.
Arnold Mooney has served in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 43rd District, since 2014. He can be reached at arnold@arnoldmooney.com. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
