What's the real issue?

I'm probably going to be sorry for this post. It will undoubtedly spark reactions from people across the spectrum. But I feel compelled to speak out, and this is the platform I have. So I'm using it. I'm going to write about abortion. 

First, let me say that I am fiercly pro-life. I believe life begins at conception and medical science backs that up. If you disagree, let's agree to disagree and go on, though, because that isn't really the point. 

Second, let me say that I have experienced abortion; I had three therapeutic abortions after my unborn babies died. 

My experience with abortion does not "fit the narrative." Rather than voluntary, my procedures were medical interventions necessary to save my life when my body failed to do what it was supposed to do. 

Some will judge me for the revelations I've made. Others will dismiss me because of the nature of my abortions. Regardless, I am compelled to share what is on my heart. 

Please understand, I am not a historian of either the pro-life or the pro-choice movements. I cannot speak intelligently about the nuances and complexities of either perspective, though (as I stated before) I am pro-life. What I can do is make some uncomfortable but honest observations.

The argument against abortion, for the most part, seems to be focused on convincing the general public that life begins at conception. The assumption seems to be that if people understand life begins at conception then abortion will become untenable. Unfortunately, the assumption is wrong. 

Let me explain. In most big(ish) cities (mine included), hospitals have neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) for babies born too soon. The staff are hard working, devoted, truly exceptional, doing everything in their power to keep preemies alive, often with great success.

Less than two miles north of a NICU in my city is Planned Parenthood, a common abortion provider. In my state, a woman can terminate her pregnancy until the baby has reached the age of "viability." According to the National Abortion Rights Action Leauge (NARAL) viability is "that point at which a fetus is capable of 'meaningful life' outside a woman’s body" (https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/state-law/washington/). I could not find a clear definition of a "meaningful life" is... 

What makes the difference between the mamas in the NICU and the women checking into Planned Parenthood? The answer is simple: whether they want their babies or not. It may sound harsh, but that is really the only difference. 

To be frank, in our culture it does not matter that life begins at conception. The question that matters has nothing to do with when life begins. The question that really matters is when does life begin to have value? 

Until we can have an honest conversation about when life begins to have value (and even what makes human life valuable), other conversations are moot. 

The challenge is, how do we have that all important conversation? How do we answer the question of when live begins to have value and where value comes from? Who do we have it with? To be honest, I do not know. What I do know is, this is the conversation we really need to have. The question is how to start that conversation? I don't have answers, but I believe the first step to identifying the best answers will be having the right conversation and asking the right questions. Will you join me?