Backing up from the specifics of the polarized debate around this sensitive issue - what if this situation could spark a conversation about -

Interdependence. How babies are sacred, and so are women, and so is life, and so is the need to support a society where both women and babies can live their best lives, supported financially, emotionally, nutritionally, and spiritually by a culture that can handle the nuances of a miraculous process.

Respect. Treating BOTH adults (mothers AND fathers) as conscious agents of procreation, AND gametes, embryos, fetuses, and newborns in their most vulnerable stages with equal respect.

Mortality is part of life. It’s not a black and white issue. It shouldn’t solely be about mothers. It shouldn’t solely be about babies. It shouldn’t be about forcing religion on anyone - in either direction. It should be about recognizing that incarnation comes with choices, and that those choices are not always easy ones to make.

What’s the difference between a mother bleeding out in a car because her baby has big troubles, but the doctors won’t operate to save her because they’re hoping to save the baby - and a terminated pregnancy because the mama doesn’t have the capacity, or resources to bear a child to term and beyond? They’re both dire circumstances. No one wants either one.

But the attempt of government and law to mandate what those folks should do in those dire situations does not make anything better. Far from it. Those people need the support they need to make hard choices. That’s the difference.

Empower those people closest to the birth. Honor life. But ALSO honor death.

It’s an opportunity to have a conversation that makes us better people, that makes our culture more supportive - not more draconian.

We cant avoid death. If we are to live, sometimes some of us will die. We can’t get around that no matter how righteous we get.