Equal Justice Demands passage of the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act

John Michener

The natural law of God which says that we shall not murder innocent human beings transcends sectarian religious rules and local criminal codes. It is a law that applies to all people, in all places, at all times. We are fortunate to live in a republic whose highest law, the Constitution of the United States, agrees with God. Lady Justice would be proud of the Fourteenth Amendment to that Constitution which guarantees a right to life and requires that no state “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

Lady Justice, an important symbol in our legal system, is a visual representation of the type of justice we want: Equal Justice. Blindfolded, she holds the scales of justice, indicating that evidence should be weighed fairly and judgment rendered solely on the facts of the case, without regard for who is being judged. Lady Justice stands for equality under the law, for equal protection, and impartiality.

Unfortunately, our states are in violation of God’s law and these constitutional mandates. In Oklahoma, our abortion-related statutes are radically inequitable. One statute indicates that those who perform abortions could be punished by two to five years in jail, while another statute provides that those who hire an abortionist risk spending only a year or less in the county jail. Then we find another statute that contradicts both of these by specifically including an “unborn child” in its definition of homicide, while at the same time making exceptions for a “legal abortion.” Hundreds of pages of pro-life statutes regulate abortion as healthcare by prescribing means and methods of performing abortions that are considered legal.

The job of legislators is to establish equal justice. To accomplish that, they must pass the “Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act” (AAOA, currently Senate Bill 13, filed by Sen. Joseph Silk, Republican from Broken Bow) which would remove the contradictions, ambiguity, and inequality in our state abortion statutes and establish equal justice for preborn humans. The key language of the bill is simple and straightforward: “Homicide shall include, but not be limited to, acts which cause the death of an unborn child committed during an abortion.” Here are the reasons for equal justice and the abolition of abortion:

Consistency

Abortion is murder; therefore it should be equally unlawful for everyone-no exceptions for parents and doctors.

Protection

We should provide equal protection for all victims. Why should one preborn person’s life be protected by homicide law, while another preborn person’s murder by abortion is state-sanctioned? When it comes to moms, the law should allow us to separate those who are truly under duress from those without excuse. Equal justice requires equal protection for all victims.

Teaching

The law is a teacher, and we must teach that murder is a crime. To criminalize all abortion is to agree with God and reinforce our consciences which already tell us that abortion is sin, requiring repentance. Abolishing abortion will promote the truth, quickly and effectively exposing the lies and indoctrination that have supported abortion for more than four decades.

Equal Value

Human beings are intrinsically valuable because we are made in the image of God. We are different from opossums and cock roaches. Because we are all equally human and equally precious to God, we should be valued equally under the law.

Deterrence

People naturally respect authoritative boundaries. To criminalize abortion is to provide a boundary beyond which the average person will not go.

Impartiality

We are made in God’s image, and we are called to be like him. God does not show partiality: “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev. 19:15). “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes” (Deut. 10:17-18). “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11).

Astonishingly, the “pro-life” leader of the state senate, Pro Tem Greg Treat, has worked diligently and publicly to kill the AAOA. Furthermore, he appears to have used his powerful position to convince other Republicans to withhold their support, as well.

There is no reason for Republican leadership (Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate President Matt Pinnell, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, and House Speaker Charles McCall) to block the AAOA. They have seen the rallies, read the literature, followed social media, heard the news stories, and met with citizen activists. The Republican Party of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Baptists have officially adopted the platform of total and immediate abolition of abortion. They have all the resources and support they need to go beyond “making Oklahoma a top-ten state.” By acting courageously upon Christian conviction, they could lead Oklahoma to become the first abortion-free state.

Unfortunately, every year pro-life politicians advance several alternative bills to appease the pro-life masses. These bills are designed to look good and sound compassionate, but they actually do nothing to establish justice or stop the shedding of innocent blood. Many of them even delay and hinder the goal of abolishing abortion.

They might try licensing and liability. They might try personhood or trigger bills. But until they criminalize abortion for everyone equally, these bills will continue to fall short. Given the choice of a controversial bill to abolish abortion, or a non-controversial, do-nothing “pro-life” alternative, most legislators will choose the latter in lieu of fighting for what is needed and necessary.

Meanwhile abortion stays legal, and the slaughter of innocent children continues. In the words of the prophet,”Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the needy of their rights and with hold justice from the oppressed” (Isaiah 10:1-2).

So, beware of these unjust laws and fake alternatives to the AAOA. An analysis of pending pro-life legislation is available at: OklahomansUnitedforLife.org/policy.

We must stop delaying justice and cowering before a wicked supreme Court. Let us encourage these men to lead boldly and act decisively. Let us support them with our voices and our votes when they finally choose to stop the bloodshed and establish equal justice.

John Michener is the Director of Oklahomans United for Life (OUL). You can contact him at:

john.michener@oku4life.org