A Staggering Statistic

In the chaotic world in which we live, few things stop us in our tracks, but this statistic should. For the fifth consecutive year ending in 2023, abortion was the leading cause of death worldwide. Overall, fatalities throughout the world amounted to about 100 million people who suffered from various afflictions such as cancer, heart disease, etc. Of the 100 million deaths, abortion accounted for 40% or over 40 million babies killed in their mother’s womb. The incredible number of unborn children killed is a statistic that should be etched in the minds of every Christian. There seems to be no indication the rate of deaths from abortion is subsiding. 

When the Roe v. Wade decision was struck down by the Supreme Court and returned to the States, many in the pro-life movement were ecstatic. They believed the striking down of a federal right to kill children was a move in the right direction. Unfortunately, the facts following the decision have proven not to be as encouraging as hoped.

In the last election, the voters of Ohio decided the right to an abortion should be an amendment in their State Constitution, following the example of California, Michigan, and Vermont, which already enshrined abortion in their constitutions. In the upcoming elections this November, New York and Maryland will have similar constitutional amendments on their ballot. Ten other States are considering similar ballot initiatives.

The picture is becoming quite clear. Americans, along with the rest of the world’s inhabitants, want the legal protection of slaughtering babies in the womb. The enormous blood lust of humanity at this point in time is being defended by governments everywhere, and the nihilistic philosophy behind the defense is one of the greatest calamities in all of human history.  

The present pro-life movement faithful to the laws of God is trying its best to change hearts and minds. Still, the present power holders are criminalizing their defense of the vulnerable.  With that type of persecution, the pro-life movement is hampered in their ministry. Perhaps it is time for a new strategy.

The problem is those who fight for the right to kill the young are so powerful and well-funded that their message is to brainwash the average person that abortion is not evil but good for the person and society. Those individuals who think abortion should be available in certain situations need to ponder how 40 million deaths a year somehow add to the good of the world. 

What can a Christian do in light of such staggering statistics?  First, all Christians, no matter what problematic situation they or their child find themselves in, must always reject abortion as the answer to their problem. Their witness to life will be a powerful statement to a world who are now engaged in a suicide pact.

Every chance we get, we must continue to speak out against the horrors of a practice taking the lives of over 40 million children annually. If the number of deaths were due to some other cause, there would be a constant outcry to stop or at least slow down the progression. Why isn’t it the same with abortion?  Simply, the message that a baby in the womb is not a real person worthy of protecting has erroneously convinced millions of people in their contorted sense of self-determination and freedom. Nothing can be further from the truth because they swapped out one burden for another, and the burden of killing their baby last throughout their life.    

The scourge is too big for any human intervention to correct. We must invoke God’s help in such a fight.  Every Christian church and denomination when they gather for worship, should include the intention in their prayers. Each day, individuals should also include in their personal prayer a plea for the reduction of abortions across the world and for those who have been a part of them. Only prayer has a chance on changing hardened hearts to realize human life is a great gift, not an enemy.  With the many voices rising to heaven in unison can the useless killing begin to decline.