Union letters to the editor

To the editor:

Recently after the Jefferson County Fair, someone posted on the “Fairfield, Iowa” group Facebook page that he was disgusted that there were was a booth at the county fair that showed models of fetuses.

I want to thank the people who spoke up for our right to educate people and to share our views. Another post to that thread said that instead of having a booth, we should actually help women.

As a member of Jefferson County Right to Life, I wanted to make sure people know that our organization does help women and children! In fact, we help provide financial and service support to three local pregnancy resource centers (Cradle of Hope, Heartland Pregnancy Center and Informed Choices) and other organizations, too. (The Facebook thread has now been removed.)

Then in last week’s paper, an article informed people about a “Pro-Roe” rally. In the article, Jeff Fager asserted that “any attempt to ‘prohibit’ abortion . . . would end safe abortion.”

In actuality, there is no safe abortion, because as a result of every abortion, a human life is ended — that is the purpose of an abortion. In the same article, Pamela Bennett stated that the rally was to emphasize a woman’s autonomy. That position is similar to what another person (Ronda) declared on Facebook, “If a woman is forced to carry the fetus to term, then the fetus has more rights than the woman.”

When I asked her to explain her reasoning to me, she gave me several examples of how pregnancy can change a woman’s life, such as possible reduction of income, loss of a scholarship, or destroyed career opportunity, etc. She acknowledged that adoption was an option, but said that carrying to term would force the woman to carry the fetus for nine months.

I still don’t see how that nine-month time period compares to the child’s total loss of rights--the termination of life. That is one reason I am part of the Jefferson County Right to Life group—to give a voice to the voiceless, the innocent pre-born child. (By the way, fetus is just a word to describe a time on the human life continuum, no different from newborn, infant, toddler, teen or adult.)

Although we still disagreed at the end of our conversation, I respected Ronda for her willingness to dialogue. In this Post-Roe time, it will be important to have civil discussions and to treat everyone with respect.

Jill Watson

Fairfield

To the editor:

Norma Lindeen, after reading your letter in the July 13 newspaper, I felt I had to respond. For you to say, “it may not be possible to tell if it was an abortion or a miscarriage” is ludicrous.

An abortion: the deliberate, purposeful killing of a preborn human being.

A miscarriage: the heartbreaking loss of a child before birth.

Totally different! Just thought you would want to know before you cause extreme pain to a woman who loses a child to miscarriage.

I condemn no one who has had an abortion. My heart aches for them. I pray they find healing and peace. But we need “to go and sin no more.” We need to reach out in love and help so that abortion becomes unthinkable.

A few other related things: The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision gave the power to determine the abortion issue back to the states. There is *no* right to abortion in the U. S. Constitution. Never has been. The Roe decision was incorrectly decided and has been corrected by the current Justices.

It’s almost humorous how the radical left is using their scare tactics and bringing up birth control and same-sex marriage. But I understand – after all, how can you fight for the right to kill your own unborn child – so let’s not discuss that and let’s go off topic to rile their base.

I would hope every Christian would rejoice over the reversal of Roe. We are all made in the image and likeness of God. He has a plan and a purpose for every life that is conceived in the womb. One of His 10 Commandments (not suggestions!), is “Thou shalt not kill.” And except in the cases of war and self-defense, we need to obey that Commandment, as well as the other 9.

What about rape and incest? I personally know a “product of rape” and she is a beautiful, loving human being living a wonderful, productive life! Who are we to say these children do not deserve the gift of life?

We do not punish the children for the sin of the father. Shame on us. Heart-crushing loss of 60 *million* human beings! We can’t get them back, but we can say, “No more!” I pray every state will outlaw abortion and reach out in love and assistance to any mother facing an unexpected pregnancy.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but when I witness a glorious sunrise or a spectacular sunset or the indescribable beauty of the recent moon rise, I am *so* thankful for the gift of life that has been given to me, to be able to witness the breathtaking beauty of God’s creation. Life is so very precious!

Karen Crossland

Fairfield