From June 27-29, the National Right to Life Convention was held in Dallas, TX. NRLC is the largest annual gathering of pro-life activists, who this year came together to hear over 100 speakers address topics such as abortion, stem cell research, and other life issues. This annual convention is an opportunity for people from all across the nation to come together and examine where efforts to defend life have been successful and learn how to become even more involved in political efforts to protect innocent life.“
Ironically, the convention opened a few short days after Texas state Senator Wendy Davis made national headlines by blocking a bill that would have placed restrictions on where abortion clinics are allowed to operate in Texas and banned abortions after 20 weeks, when science tells us that babies in the womb begin to feel pain. Senator Davis’ 13 hour filibuster – which took place amid angry mobs of protestors disrupting debate – effectively killed the bill, though Texas’ governor has called a special session to address the matter again. Nine other states have adopted a similar ban on abortions after 20 weeks.
Not surprisingly, this dominated discussion at the convention. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz – one of the keynote speakers – said that it was “unfortunate that we saw people using tactics to try to disrupt the legislative process and to stop elected representatives from voting their principles and from voting for a policy that is supported by a large majority of Texans.” Other speakers encouraged the activists gathered to contact members of the Texas legislature and urge them to support this legislation, which polls indicate has wide support throughout Texas.
The theme of this year’s NRLC was “40 Years of Roe vs. Wade is 40 Years Too Many.” Recent events such as the Texas abortion bill and the murder conviction of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell remind us that the fight to protect the unborn is far from over. In many ways, the fight is only growing stronger. NRLC President Carol Tobias spoke optimistically of the pro-life movement’s future:
“You, the grassroots pro-lifers, from all over the country, are amazing. Because of your efforts, unborn children WILL some day be protected by law, and protections will be restored for the elderly and disabled, whose lives are threatened by assisted suicide, euthanasia, and rationing of medical care.”
Let us pray that our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ will continue to guide and bless our efforts to protect the sanctity of life.
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Thus, you read the word of God, spoken to Jeremias: “Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee.” If God forms us in the womb, He also breathes on us as He did in the beginning: “And God formed man and breathed into him the breath of life.” Nor could God have known man in the womb unless he were a whole man. “And before thou camest forth from the womb, I sanctified thee.” Was it, then, a dead body at that stage? Surely it was not, for “God is the God of the living and not the dead.”
In our case, murder being once for all forbidden, we may not destroy even the foetus in the womb, while as yet the human being derives blood from other parts of the body for its sustenance. To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man – killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to the birth. That is a man which is going to be one; you have the fruit already in the seed.
Tertullian (c. 160 – 240)
