An arena of three hundred people leaned forward in their seats to watch the first-ever cranioectomy performed on a teenage girl, organized by Dr. Mattathias Meh-dickle-skool.
Netflix transformed Lemony Snicket’s brilliant book series, A Series of Unfortunate Events, into a television show. I read the book series as a child, but unfortunately, those memories have faded and been replaced by the images of this Netflix creation, which I more recently watched for the sake of nostalgia (and because the narrative is a work of pure literary genius).
Snicket’s portrayals of adults don’t necessarily instill confidence in young readers that the grown-ups in their lives truly have their best interest at heart or even that they make wise decisions for rational reasons. In Snicket’s world, adults repeatedly fail to see through the frail disguise of a wanted outlaw (something like eight times). They insist that the proper paperwork be filled out before releasing “volunteers” from a hospital (in order for them to escape a murderous doctor impersonator); argue that the purpose of a library of files is simply to be permanently filed (rather than read and learned from); and place a trio of orphans within the care of a distant former colleague simply because they interpret “the closest living relative” to mean the person who lives closest to their former (incinerated) home.
If anything, these scenarios may cause children to seriously question the actions—and intelligence—of their parents and teachers.
This is, of course, satire. But when I found myself leaning forward in my seat and grimacing, wondering aloud, “How could they ever think that operation is legit?!” I was hit with the realization that a whole community of (presumably) rational adults made a decision just yesterday to legalize an act that is clearly horrendous and was formerly considered (and still is, in other cultures) murder.
Changing the definition of homicide is not something to celebrate.
Eliminating the potential of a creature that is the elemental starting point of a human is not justice.
As I’ve grown older and moved around a bit, I’ve met more and more women who struggle with infertility. Adoption is a complicated process and expensive, as is IVF. Experiencing the miracle of conception and choosing to quench that life is like a slap in the face of every woman who weeps with maternal longing.
The trauma experienced by women who suffer from miscarriages and stillbirths is not avoided by undergoing an abortion. The trauma of rape is not erased by abortion.
These are only the “rational, non-religious” reasons for protecting the sanctity of life.
As Christians, we are daily called to die to self. Choosing to bear and give birth to a human despite the inconvenience, pain, complications, and emotional and psychological turmoil involved is one of the most profound selfless acts imaginable. What a testament to the goodness, trustworthiness, sovereignty, and wisdom of God. Every life is valuable and worthy of being protected.
Oh, but you’ll remind me that the God of the Old Testament ordered “genocide” on a number of occasions.
Do you know what the Israelites’ enemies were fond of? Oh, ya know, just burning their children.
Oh, United States of America. We have so much evil to answer for.
Lord, bring your justice, and show your goodness. Heal our nation, and reveal what is right and true. And, Father, have mercy on us.
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