Could Texas Abortion Drama Change Perspectives on Sanctity of Life?
Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States, Americans have been divided. Despite research that indicates pre-born babies in the womb feel pain and can now survive premature birth, abortion continues. However, abortion restrictions are now in place in Texas.
Last week, the Texas state legislature passed sweeping changes that include a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a requirement that abortion physicians have admitting privileges at local hospitals, a requirement that abortion facilities meet the same standards as surgical centers, and restrictions on abortion-inducing medication.
President of Bethany Christian Services Bill Blacquiere praises the legislation.
“I think it’s a great step toward protecting children and saving their lives,” he says. “I believe this kind of attention in Texas has made the nation aware of what’s going on in abortion clinics.”
Blacquiere says many Americans, including Christians, are clueless about what happens at abortion clinics.
“I think [many of us] would rather retreat to our homes and our churches and not deal with this, but God calls us to protect the lives of the unborn, and He calls us to push for justice in this society,” he says.
Blacquiere believes this case could be a game-changer for abortion on demand.
“This will make other states and pro-life representatives realize that they can push through and get these bills passed,” he says.
According to a recent Gallop Poll, 64 percent of Americans surveyed believe abortions should be illegal after the first three months of pregnancy.
Bethany Christian Services has been involved in the pro-life cause for many years. It helps facilitate adoptions, promotes foster care and runs a crisis pregnancy hotline.
“Bethany is located in 36 states,” Blacquiere says. “We have over 115 offices. In addition to that, we do have a hotline—a crisis pregnancy hotline—where we provide free pregnancy counseling to women.”
According to Blacquiere, the hotline is evolving into a contact center. “People can now text to Bethany, they can do live chats, or they can call 1-800-Bethany. And we have professional counselors available 24 hours, seven days a week, to talk with women who have an unplanned pregnancy,” he says.
The work is done to show the love of Christ. “We demonstrate that love by making free counseling available and by helping women make a choice,” Blacquiere says. “Secondly, by doing that work, we also proclaim the word of Jesus Christ.”
This article was originally posted on mnnonline.org.
