To the editor:
Pro-life Nebraskans are faced with a dilemma this year, with two ballot questions which are each repugnant to our sensibilities. They are Initiative Measure 434 and Initiative Measure 439. Both questions seek to amend the Nebraska Constitution. Both questions seek to allow abortions. The differences, however, are broad and substantial, and demand a vote FOR 434 and a vote AGAINST 439.
When read carefully, we see radically different terms and phrases in these initiatives. In 434, “…unborn children shall be protected…” And in 439, “All persons shall have a fundamental right to abortion…,” with nothing about protecting unborn children. These differences are profound.
Note that 434 refers to “unborn children,” which speaks to their humanity, while 439’s references to “fetal” and “fetus”, although scientifically accurate, purposefully ignore the unborn child’s humanity. But we know, scientifically, that the unborn child’s DNA is fully human and distinctly different than the mother’s, upon conception. We also know, spiritually, that the unborn child is fully of God, our Creator. Long before “science” and word games distracted us from the reality of a spirit world and from our Creator, Who exists in the spirit world and created the physical world, Psalm 139 was written and supports this reality.
King David wrote that God created his inmost being and knit him together in his mother’s womb. He wrote, “My frame was not hidden from [God] when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [God’] eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in [God’s] book, before one of them came to be.” Consider the truth, beauty, and encouragement of the entire Psalm 139, and see if, from your heart, you will pray, as David did in vs. 14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well,” and embrace and protect life, from conception, and honor God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and so was, is, and will be, every child, upon conception.
Although 434 contains some protection for unborn children, it contains qualifiers; it admits that, under the proposed constitutional amendment, unborn children will not be protected in their first trimester of life and that they will not be protected in the event of a “medical emergency” or “when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest.” With the understanding of scientific facts, biblical truths, and conscience, what are we to do with 434’s exceptions of timing and certain circumstances?
If we accept God as our Creator and Jesus as our Savior, we understand the absolutes of good and evil. 439 is pure evil, completely lacking any good, and the foundation and consequences of that proposed amendment might be best illustrated by Leviticus 20, which starts out with God’s condemnation of child sacrifices to Molek. Historically, nations and people groups that embraced child sacrifices have all come to ruin.
While 434 is, in fact, a pro-abortion proposal and therefore ultimately evil, it does contain a few elements of good. As discussed above, unborn children will receive some protection (which is better than none) and their humanity is acknowledged in the text.
If we face this matter as being forced to vote for the lesser of two evils, which is a vague expression of little value and that either side of a controversy can equally use, we can easily become discouraged and not vote at all. Rather than being discouraged, let’s take an active role. Let’s commit to systematically voting for less evil. We are voting to amend the Nebraska Constitution. Amend. Change. The chosen amendment does not have to be permanent – we can change it again by another vote. But for right now…
Remember Lucy, the Peanuts character, famously said, “If you don’t vote, don’t gripe.”
Please vote FOR Initiative Measure 434.
Please vote AGAINST Initiative Measure 439.
BOTH questions must be answered for your vote to be most effective.
J. Drew Foster
Emmet, Nebraska