Why is everyone afraid to admit it? Why has the Star refused to publish it? Why is no one dealing with the real issues surrounding the abortion debate? The answer: it hits too close to home for most of us.

I don’t understand why pro-choicers talk about emptying out the orphanages before America could even consider restricting abortion. When it comes right down to it, even if all the orphanages were empty, even if everyone ever conceived had a guaranteed chance of that vague concept “quality of life,” even if rape and incest were obliterated from the face of the earth, pro-choicers would still cling to the right to do what they want with their bodies. Why? Because they believe that their personal rights transcend any other considerations.

And isn’t this where the heart of the issue is at? Pro-choice people cry rights. But I believe pro-lifers cry out for something that transcends even personal rights, and that is personal responsibility. Sometimes we have to act responsibly even though our rights might be temporarily violated, as when a Mack truck is coming at you head-on on the wrong side of the road. The responsible person gives up her right-of-way for safety’s sake. Abortion is a denial of responsibility, refusal to live up to your mistakes. Everyone has to live up to their mistakes, why should women get off any easier?

I would like to write much more, especially about gender-selective abortion and the apparent anti-democratic philosophy held by some pro-choicers, but the Star does not print letters over one page, so these must wait for another time.

Scott Stocking

Minister

DeKalb Christian Bible Fellowship