In a way, you could say that life requires the incrementalism approach. Because you’re not born knowing everything you’ll know or how to do everything you’ll do. And you don’t learn calculus and geometry in first grade. And you don’t start on black diamond ski trails. So, life is a series of steps. Each one leading to the next. And so on.
But certain parts of life are NOT better served with the incrementalism approach.
And nowhere is that more true than in the crimes against humanity. And there is no greater crime against humanity than the killing of the most helpless and innocent humans of all, unborn babies.
If I had the authority to snap my finger, or wield my pen, I’d abolish abortion on demand immediately. And I would NOT look for ways to regulate it. But I don’t have that authority. And what’s worse is, my voice and opinions on this subject even offend many (if not most) so-called pro lifers.
I found a note, written by Randy Alcorn, where he commended a guy named Scott Klusendorf for explaining and defending the incrementalism approach to end abortion. Here’s what Mr. Alcorn wrote:
“Over the years, we’ve received numerous comments and feedback from those who consider themselves abortion abolitionists.I honestly appreciate their passion to see abortion ended. Any sincere prolifer would be ecstatic if abortion were made illegal. Unfortunately, their methods and philosophy, and their antagonistic stance to other prolifers, are often problematic.
Scott Klusendorf explains that the assumption behind these abolition groups is that “pro-lifers have the power to immediately end abortion but simply won’t.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Pro-life advocates do not have the power to say which children live and which ones die. The federal courts have already said that no unborn children have a right to life. In that legal environment, the principled pro-lifer is an immediatist morally and an incrementalist strategically. That is, while pro-lifers remain committed to the principle that every unborn human should be legally protected, they work to save as many lives as possible given current political realities.”
Certainly we can and should pray for and work toward the day when abortion is illegal and ending an unborn child’s life is unthinkable. In the meantime, may prolifers work together, in a spirit of humility and grace. I like to put it this way: to win a war, it takes the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Special Forces, Navy Seals, etc. Anyone who thinks their group or branch of the Armed Services is the only way of fighting the war or accomplishing the mission is simply wrong. The same thing is true of those who believe their strategy to end or prevent abortions is the only one that is right or effective.
My thanks to Scott for this article explaining the problems with abolitionism and giving a defense of prolife incrementalism.”
If you’re a prolifer who’d be “ecstatic if abortion were made illegal,” then it’s crucial to recognize how the incrementalism approach hasn’t worked in the 50 years it has been tried. In fact, it does the opposite. Every single piece of incremental legislation simply tells people what they must do before they go ahead and kill the baby.
And the abolitionist approach ended slavery.
It didn’t regulate it. Slavery abolitionists didn’t call for requiring parental consent before you could own another person. And they didn’t require the sound of a heartbeat before you could own another person. And they didn’t ask for anything other than the 100% end to slavery.
When you want to see an end to something, you call for an END to it. Not a way to “save as many lives as possible.” But a way to save ALL unborn babies. Knowing, full well, there are some so intent on killing their babies you can’t stop them no matter what.
And that armed forces analogy is so lame. All the armed forces work together to destroy the enemy and END the war. Not simply reduce the enemy’s ability and capacity to fight. At least that’s true when the forces are led by commanders who understand that enemies of life and liberty must be vanquished. And at once, if possible.
All human life is precious because we’re the ones made in God’s image and likeness. You are a…
Child of God
I am not a silly chance…
Not a random circumstance.
I am not a lucky dance
In an accidental place.
I am not a spark of light
That evolved from darkest night.
If you say I did, I might
Have to make a funny face… ‘cause…
I am a child of God…child of the Living God…
The One who spoke and made the universe.
I am a child of God…child of the Living God…
The One who saved me from my sinful curse.
I did not come out of slime.
That would take way too much time.
You can clearly see that I’m
A whole lot more than simple dirt.
Take a closer look and see
Information runs through me
From The One Who sets me free.
Listen now to my alert…
Chorus
© 2010
Skip all the in-between steps and go directly to these links to get some Tony music, in a songbook journal.
Stay tuned,
