Life still precious to most in the U.S.

Published 8:18 pm Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Life is precious — and the American culture, as a whole, recognizes this. On this day 42 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Roe v. Wade decision, a serious blow to the sanctity of life.

But it wasn’t a mortal blow. Today we can see many signs that Americans have rejected the nihilism of convenience.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that abortions are now at their lowest levels since 1973.

“Abortion rates in the U.S. have declined by 13.9 percent in recent years, resulting in near-historic low levels, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the Sacramento Bee reported last month. “From 2008 to 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, U.S. legal abortions occurred at the rate of 16.9 abortions per 1,000 women age 15 to 44. That rate approaches the all-time low recorded in 1973, when the nation saw 16.3 abortions reported per 1,000 women.”

There are disagreements over why those numbers are down, but some cultural shifts help explain the change.

First, Americans increasingly agree about abortion — that it should be legal, but within limits. Polling by Gallup shows a majority — more than 50 percent — say it should be legal, but only under certain circumstances. Only 28 percent of Americans say it should be legal under all circumstances, and 21 percent say it should be illegal in all circumstances.

That’s why abortion restrictions, such as those enacted by Texas in 2013, are popular and reasonable. It is support for unlimited abortion, the stance held by then-Sen. Wendy Davis, that’s the extreme position.

A second trend that explains why abortions are down is that pro-life Americans are living their beliefs. Pro-abortion groups used to say that pro-lifers “don’t care about children.” That charge is baseless.

“In reality, many of those ‘zealots’ — another common slur — pour their lives into serving as adoptive and foster parents, as mentors for struggling teens, as coaches and scout leaders and teachers,” notes Tim Swarens of the Indianapolis Star. “And they do it precisely because they care, passionately, about helping children in need.”

East Texas agencies such as Fatherheart and Living Alternatives have helped thousands of young women through unplanned pregnancies, and along with similar agencies elsewhere, have helped blunt the cultural coarsening of Roe v. Wade.

Want proof that Americans, more and more, see life as precious? Turn on your radio.

Kelly Clarkson’s new hit, “Heartbeat Song,” features the rhythm of her unborn baby’s heart.

“Clarkson reveals that the track’s beat is actually (her daughter) River’s heartbeat slowed down from when she was in my tummy,'” People magazine reports. “Clarkson’s deep love for River was forged during an incredibly difficult pregnancy.”

The lyrics are about her daughter’s birth: “Until tonight I only dreamed about you/I can’t believe I ever lived without you.”

There’s good news on this grim anniversary. Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land, but Americans increasingly see life as something to be preserved, cherished and celebrated.