This Letter to the Editor appeared in the Bakersfield Californian on July 31, 2024.
Thank you to Mike Purling for sharing his story of being adopted rather than being aborted.
A fetus is a new life and we should do everything we can to protect that new life. Adoption not only gives life to that new born but is a blessing to the adoptive family. Whereas abortion ends an innocent life and may cause years of living with shame, regret, and anger in the life of the woman and the man who chose to abort.
I applaud Mr. Purling’s stance on life and would like to suggest a different thought on his position on the case of rape/incest as an exception to abortion.
Cases of rape and incest are tragic, and the perpetrator should be punished to the full extent of the law. A young girl or woman subjected to this violent crime is an innocent victim, but let’s remember that the baby in the womb is also an innocent victim. Should their innocent life be taken as punishment for the rapists crime? NO!
A child in the womb is not responsible for the manner in which they were conceived. They are still a new life.
The manner of conception does not determine the value of a life!
Let’s not ignore the horrific crime of rape but let’s not create a second innocent victim by ending the life of the child. Adoption is the option if a parent chooses not to raise their child. Abortion is never a good option.