The Legacy of "Choice"

From LifeDate – Spring 2008.

The Legacy of “Choice”
by Diane E. Schroeder, President, Lutherans For Life

"Freedom of Choice" has been used by our society to describe many choices we make—from picking a soft drink to denim jeans. As Lutherans who are For Life, however, we know that "freedom of choice" is really just a euphemism for abortion. "Choice" is now in its 36th year and we can see everywhere the devastation it has caused. Here are just a few examples:

The nuclear family as defined as mother, father, and children has been undermined as evidenced by the explosion of children born to unmarried women. (In Illinois, where I live, up from 18 percent of total births in 1973 to 37 percent in 2005.)
In a recent survey analyzing American attitudes toward marriage, having children was almost at the bottom of the list in importance, only ahead of spouses agreeing on politics.
The God-given roles of mother and father have been dramatically altered. "Choice" disconnected men from their role as protectors of women and children by telling them they had no say in the life of their unborn child. Not surprisingly, men have responded by refusing responsibility for unwanted pregnancies, placing the complete burden on the woman.

Even more tragic is the personal guilt and grief of those who chose abortion as a solution to an unwanted pregnancy.

"My girlfriend had an abortion in 1986; it was a little girl. I am now in my early 40’s, looking at the young adults who would be my daughter’s age. I am horrified when I remember what I have done. I have confessed, but at the end of the day, I will have to face that little girl, who I couldn’t be bothered to love enough to let her have a life she was entitled to and I had no right to interfere with. I can’t imagine what I’ll say. Sorry somehow doesn’t seem enough for the crime."

"I regret that no one comforted me and offered a different solution to my situation. The bond was between my baby and me, and not even an abortion could break it. The love I feel for my baby is mixed with an incredible amount of guilt for taking his life; and I miss him so very much, I am left alone with the memory of the warmth of that little life within me, and the shame of allowing it to be taken."

The legacy of "choice" is overwhelming: sin, dysfunction, death, grief, despair, guilt, shame.

But then God chose.

He chose to send His Son into the muck and mire of our world, and through His death on the cross, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all of us who suffer from the result of bad choices. Because of God’s choice all of us are freed from sin and its condemnation. Christ has overcome the result of sin—death—and because of His victory we overcome the result of our sin as well.

As redeemed and saved Christians we now have a choice. We can choose to engage in our world offering to all who have made bad choices the freedom that comes through trusting in God’s choice.

As partners in Lutherans For Life, I know that you have already made that choice. As Lutherans For Life connects God’s Word to the many life issues that surround us, decisions change, lives are saved, and people freed from guilt and condemnation. What a joy for me to participate with you in this great ministry! May God bless you as you partner with us in reaching out to all the victims of "choice in America."