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In Europe and America today, there is this great divide between those who say they are “Pro-life” and others who refer to themselves as “Pro-choice.” This divide gets hotter each year in the month of January as both parties fight over the famous ‘Roe vs Wade’ controversy; the original judicial ruling that gave birth to this controversy. The Pro-choicers argue that they have the freedom to choose to do whatever they wish with their bodies, while Pro-lifers say the opposite. They say that no one, not even God, the Church, or their culture can impose judgment on what they choose to do with their bodies.
They argue that human beings are free to do whatever they like; free to abort a foetus, free to make love to someone of the same sex, even free to marry their dog or break into anyone’s house and steal their property, because might is right. The question is: does this kind of freedom make your action(s) right? You may ask me, who determines what is right or wrong? Well, the answer is ‘God does.’ Ok, you don’t believe in God, what about common sense or the dominant culture?
What is even more ridiculous about this pro-choicers is that those who perpetuate it claim they believe in God. Well if you do, read the scriptures. What does God say about choice? Sirach 15:15-20, especially verses 17-20 says: “before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him. Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and all-seeing. The eyes of God see all he has made; he understands man’s every deed. No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies”. What is clearer than this? The same God commanded us in the scriptures, “You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not divorce your legally married partner, etc.”
Today, man circumvents the commandments with the excuse of freedom to choose, so as to create caveats that will permit him to do “whatever he/she likes.” Today, even the basic choice of a credible presidential candidate to change the course of our dark past has been subjected to illogical arguments about what party, tribe or religion you belong to. No one makes use of common sense or the goal of building our common patrimony anymore. The truth remains that we cannot choose to do wrong and call it freedom of choice. The arguments will continue but the truth will always prevail and the Truth needs no defence.
Rev Fr Dr Peter Obele Abue is the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja and the Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Ikom Town, Ikom Local Government Area.
