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‘I wish my mother had aborted me’

Arland Nichols

Hundreds of thousands will march Jan. 22 for human life and in solidarity with the women, children and men impacted by abortion. Forty two years have passed since Roe and Doe made abortion the law of the land and after these many years, the disregard for human life remains pronounced and arguments for abortion seem increasingly twisted.

Consider an article by Lynn Beisner entitled, “I Wish My Mother Had Aborted Me.” Beisner argues that “the best choice for both my mother and me would have been abortion.” This statement, she claims, is not to be confused with the angst or depression driven “I wish I had never been born.” Hers is a “well considered and rational” statement.

Beisner claims that abortion would have been better for her mother, freeing her to receive better education, preventing her from plunging into poverty, and avoiding abusive men. “I wish she had aborted me because I love her and want what is best for her.”

If Beisner had been aborted it would have freed Beisner herself from experiencing abuse and poverty. “No one,” she claims, “should have to make such a Herculean struggle for simple normalcy. Even given the happiness and success I now enjoy, if I could go back in time and make the choice for my mother, it would be abortion. The world would not be a darker or poorer place without me. Actually, in terms of contributions to the world, I am a net loss.” She is sad, therefore, that her mother “could not find the courage and selflessness” to abort.

There are a nearly endless number of responses that could be made to Beisner. For now we must leave aside her euphemisms, ignorance of embryology, and the exaggerated claims about abortion’s purported ability to end poverty, provide education, and eradicate abuse. Most important is compassion — she clearly had a very difficult life that has led to sad conclusions about the worth of persons. The primary poverty in Beisner’s reflection, however, must be noted — the failure to recognize the intrinsic dignity and value of every human being, including herself.

Beisner would do well to consider the recent words of Pope Francis to parents: “Each of your children is a unique creature that will never be duplicated in the history of humanity. When one understands this, or that God wanted each one, we are astounded by how great a miracle a child is!” Every child, without exception, “is the unique fruit of love, you come from love and you grow in love.”

The source and summit of every human life is the God of love. Every human being is made by Him and for Him regardless of the circumstances of her conception, the family situation, and the difficulties of life. Every person is a unique and beautiful creation. There is a tremendous loss at the death of an innocent by abortion because it ends the life of someone of intrinsic and immeasurable worth.

In his annual Urbi et Orbi address, Pope Francis lamented that children are “killed and ill-treated” including “infants killed in the womb and deprived of that generous love of their parents and then buried in the egoism of a culture that does not love life.” He also mourns the children who are killed in war, are abused, and neglected. “Their impotent silence cries out under the sword of so many Herods. On their blood stands the shadow of contemporary Herods.”

Beisner fails to recognize her own immeasurable worth. She does not see that abortion is far from a solution to abuse, poverty, neglect of children, or the difficulties of life. The solution is a consistent respect and appreciation for the dignity and worth of every human being. As we mark 42 years of abortion on demand, may we join Pope Francis and pray that indifference and rejection give way to a vibrant embrace and love of every human being.

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