OVERTURNED! Leaders Respond to the Historical Reversal of Roe v. Wade

roe v. wade
Rob Pacienza, Lead Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

Rob Pacienza, Lead Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

Friday, June 24th, 2022, was certainly a watershed moment for our nation. The highest court in our land upheld the sanctity of human life and rightly defended the most vulnerable in our society, the unborn. After 49 years and the cruel slaughter of more than 63 million babies, the US Supreme Court has finally reversed its 1973 decision Roe v. Wade.

By overruling Roe, the Supreme Court has finally acknowledged that the greatest civil authority in the United States is the Constitution. This is extraordinarily good news for all Americans, especially the unborn. While it means justice for some preborn children, others remain at risk.

The reversal of Roe means the issue of abortion will be left to the democratic process at the state level. This decision immediately triggers laws in 13 states, greatly limiting abortion, and we will likely see fast legislation to protect the unborn in 13 more, but the battle is far from over. New York State, for instance, has enshrined abortion at any stage of pregnancy right up until birth in its constitution. Dick’s Sporting Goods, for another example, has promised its employees up to $4000 to help them travel to other states to have abortions. This is nothing short of demonic evil.

I believe we will continue to see the increased wickedness of the pro-abortion movement in the weeks and months ahead, but the reversal of Roe is also a watershed moment for the church. This is something for all Christians to celebrate. We prayed this day would come and it has.

I’m personally grateful for the men and women who have courageously led the way, including our founder and my pastor as a young man, D. James Kennedy. The church is the hope of the world and has been advancing a culture of life for the past 2000 years, whether it’s been defending the unborn, the orphan, the widow or the slave. We have been driven by the cardinal truth that all human beings are created in the image of God. Our worth and value is not based on what we do, but in who we are. From the moment of conception, we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

This is an incredible moment to be alive and an incredible moment to be a Christian. In a society that is divided and gripped by fear, we have the opportunity to offer real hope and the good news that the church has been proclaiming for centuries. We have the opportunity to speak the truth in love concerning the sanctity of human life. We have the opportunity to share lifesaving alternatives with mothers and fathers facing unplanned pregnancies. We have the opportunity to volunteer and support our local pregnancy centers and other pro-life organizations, and lastly, we have the opportunity to minister to those who have had an abortion reminding them that God is the God who redeems our past through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

We must continue to fight the good fight, remembering that this is a spiritual battle. Scripture tells us we are not waging war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

The Supreme Court decision was an important part of this process. Our laws must reflect a moral and just society, and Christians must be leading the charge in this cultural moment. But changing the laws of our country is just part of the solution. I’m not interested in just making abortion illegal but doing everything possible to make it unthinkable.

Who is going to carry the flag for the unborn? Who is going to stand in their defense? That responsibility falls on us, and the Bible clearly says that our call is to the least of these, to defend those who literally cannot defend themselves.

 

roe v. wade
Doug Sauder, Lead Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

Doug Sauder, Lead Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

The following is an excerpt from Pastor Doug Sauder’s remarks at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, June 26, 2022.

Just a couple of days ago we saw the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and we want to celebrate as God’s people that children are going to be protected in new ways and with new measures. But how do we respond? It’s not just with clapping, though we should celebrate, and it’s not just posting on social media, though we should advocate.

Here’s what we’re going to find in the next few weeks. People are going to be talking past each other instead of to each other. If there’s ever been a time for the church to listen, this is the time listen to the pain of the world and the brokenness the world and the needs of the world. If there’s ever been a time to pray, now is the time. It’s not just how we listen, and it’s not just how we pray, but it’s also how we serve – because it is a decision thousands of miles away that is going to affect a person who you work with or live next to, or who’s going to find herself in a crisis pregnancy.

We’re going to need, more than ever, people to volunteer in crisis pregnancy centers, people to be foster or adoptive families, people serving, caring for women in crisis at the very moment of need. Because we all know that Jesus didn’t just try to win the argument. He tried to win the heart of a person, and he did that by walking toward the mess and having those conversations and looking people in the eyes and loving them in his day. This is what we’re called to do as Christians. We are the light of the world. We are the salt of the earth, and so I want to just pray for us that we can be ready for the moment that happens this week at work or on social media – not to win the argument, but to listen and to pray and to win the person to the gospel of Jesus.

 

roe v. wade
James R. Welch, Lead Pastor, First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale

James R. Welch, Lead Pastor, First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale

In 1974 a fifteen-year-old freshman in high school learned she was pregnant. She was afraid and wondered what the future would hold. Upon learning of her pregnancy, some encouraged her to kill the child through an abortive procedure. Thankfully she chose life! Her then-boyfriend and father of the child married her. This year they celebrated 48 years of marriage. The baby is now 47 years old and your Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale. I am thankful that Judy Johnson (now Judy Welch) chose life. However, the nation should have never allowed for choice.

Why?

Since the beginning of the United States of America, our nation has valued life. The early days of the nation affirmed life. It would have been unthinkable that a woman and those around her would murder a child. It was the first of three unalienable rights in our Declaration of Independence.

Yet, on January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that abortion will be protected under the U.S. Constitution based on a supposed right to privacy provided by the Fourteenth Amendment. Suddenly women could choose life or death for their unborn children.

This monumental decision by the court blocked state-level protection for life in the womb. Nearly every state’s protection for the child in the womb was held captive by Roe v. Wade. This protection opened the door for abortion on demand and throughout pregnancy across the land. Since that day in 1973, 70,000,000 children have been killed. I believe that Roe v. Wade was an unconstitutional decision in 1973, and today’s ruling has finally put the court back in line with the hope of heaven and made things right.

Today, there is relief among the faithful as Roe has fallen. In 2021 Amy and I marched down Broward Ave with other faithful saints to pray in front of an abortion clinic. Over the years, we have prayed, marched, and advocated for the end of abortion. I think of those who have invested their time, talent, and treasure to see Roe fall. I rejoice with my fellow Americans and Christians who have sought this miracle moment. I pray this is a NEW day for America. I believe that this ruling is better for us as a nation. I pray for each state as they now have to determine their course in choosing life.

The church can play a vital role in this historic moment.

  1. The church must disciple for Biblical Manhood: True manhood demands more of men. Jesus’ life embodied true masculinity. It was a life of selflessness and sacrifice. Masculine leadership isn’t an opportunity to be served but a calling to serve sacrificially. The church must speak into the fatherless culture of today. Proclaiming a clear view of Biblical Manhood inside and outside of the church will encourage women in the wake of Roe falling.
  2. The church must teach abstinence: The Apostle Paul instructed the church, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.” The church must call people to personal holiness, especially in their sexual lives. Sexual purity needs to be taught in churches and championed in culture.
  3. The church must minister to women: One in five pregnancies has been ending in abortion. The abortion industry and the progressive left have exploited women and their emotions. The church must rise and care deeply for hurting and marginalized women. We must create or partner with a Woman’s Advocacy Center. You, as an individual, can volunteer and financially support one. One local ministry our church partners with and celebrates is Sheridan House.
  4. The church must advocate for adoption: The church should be a place for the fatherless, and Christian homes should be shelters for them. The way that Christians are to understands the gospel is through adoption. We have been adopted into Christ and are now sons and daughters of the King. The Bible says that how we receive fatherless children speaks to the gospel. The way the church receives fatherless children will remind us constantly of the gospel that has received us. Consider working with a local foster care or adoption agency. One local ministry our church partners with and celebrates is 4Kids.

I hope that abortion will one day be unthinkable in the United States of America. I am thankful for the courageous and reasoned justices that voted to overturn Roe. I am grateful for President George H. W. Bush, President George W. Bush, and President Donald J. Trump and the appointment of Conservative Jurists.

Join me today in thanksgiving to God for the monumental decision and day.

 

roe v. wade
O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

Praise the Lord! Our congregation celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, that gave women the right to abort their babies.

As a lawyer and a pastor, I told our congregation that Roe v. Wade was wrongfully decided by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1973, because the U.S. Supreme Court erroneously stated that the U.S. Constitution recognizes that a woman has a “right of privacy” that gives her the right to decide what she can and cannot do with her body. Such “right of privacy” is not specifically mentioned nor even impliedly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, but on January 22, 1973, seven of the nine Supreme Court justices erroneously implied that women have a “right of personal privacy,” protected by the first, fourth, fifth, ninth and fourteenth amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

I further explained to our congregation that based upon Psalm 24:1, 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 and 1st Corinthians 3:16-17 that our bodies belong to God, saved or unsaved. Therefore, it is not her body, nor her choice to abort her baby. Now, in order to curtail future illegal abortions, the church must preach the Gospel of Christ Jesus and witness to the lost souls to win them to Christ Jesus.

 

leaders
Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward County Right to Life

Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward County Right to Life

You’ve heard the news. Together, we are celebrating a major victory for life! The U.S. Supreme Court handed down an historic decision Friday by rejecting Roe v. Wade.

Since 1973, over 63,000,000 unborn babies have lost their lives. And countless men and women have suffered after an abortion. I understand. I was one of them.

But now, there is no longer a constitutional right to have an abortion. (And, in truth, there never was—as Justice Alito’s opinion powerfully shows.) We give God thanks and praise!! This is a glorious step forward in the battle for life.

We want to thank President Donald Trump for choosing the three justices who made the right decision. When asked about it, Trump said, “God made the decision. This brings everything back to the states where it has always belonged. This is following the Constitution and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago.”

Amen—this is God’s doing and an answer to the prayers of millions for the past 49 years. May He be praised!

But our work is not over. There is still much to do. Each state will now act to either protect the unborn or expand laws to end their lives.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is strongly pro-life. We must now call on him and the Florida legislature to protect every unborn child from abortion and do everything possible to help women considering abortion choose life.

For all of those who have prayed, worked, cried, stood and sacrificed . . . (it was all of us together, a united front) . . . this is a historic victory that dramatically changes America. We praise God and give Him thanks! Miracles do happen.

Thank you for standing with us. Please know that we appreciate each one of you. And please pray as we move forward.

Let’s celebrate that ROE V. WADE IS NO LONGER THE LAW OF THE LAND! And yet, let’s also remember that abortion is still legal today in Florida. And for that reason . . .

We will continue to stand out in front of abortion facilities and offer help and hope to women.

We will continue to work to inform, educate and equip individuals to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.

We will minister to those who find themselves struggling with their abortion decision.

We will call on our elected leaders to fully protect the most vulnerable among us . . . the unborn.

There is much left to do. But what a wonderful victory this is!

 

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Takes Pro-Life Message to Supreme Court

Mother Teresa of Calcutta confronted President Clinton on his pro-abortion stand in early February at the National Prayer Breakfast. Last week she took her pro-life message to the highest court in the land. Her lawyers filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court urging it to recognize the unborn child’s inalienable right to life.

She urged the court to hear the case Alexander Loce vs. The State of New Jersey, which involves the issue of whether or not the unborn child is a human being entitled to 14th Amendment protection. Loce was convicted of trespassing for attempting to prevent his fiancee from having an abortion.

Mother Teresa’s petition is a powerful witness in defense of life.  It includes the following passage:

“America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe vs. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father’s role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts—a child—as a competitor, an intrusion and an inconvenience. It has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the dependent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters. And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners.

“Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government,” she said. “They are every human being’s entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or sovereign. The Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany recently ruled: ‘The unborn child is entitled to its right to life independently of its acceptance by its mother; this is an elementary and inalienable right which emanates from the dignity of the human being.’

“Americans may feel justly proud that Germany in 1993 was able to recognize the sanctity of human life. You must weep that your own government, at present, seems blind to this truth.”

This article is taken from the February 24, 1994 issue of The Arlington Catholic Herald.

For more Out & About, visit https://www.goodnewsfl.org/topic/news/local/

 

 

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