The UK Votes on Four Measures that Disparage the Sanctity of Human Life

In May, I witnessed something so horrific it still weighs on my heart. I was in the United Kingdom at the same time that members of parliament (MPs) voted on four measures:

• “Fatherless” in vitro fertilization
  292 to 217 votes—MPs removed the requirement that lesbian couples list a father or male role model in order to receive IVF treatment. Parliament sent a strong message that fathers are not important in the lives of children. (See “David Cameron Risks His Moderniser Image with Vote on Fatherhood” at www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3972749.ece.)
• Abortion limit—332 to 190—In their first abortion vote in 18 years, MPs refused to reduce the current 24-week abortion limit to 20 weeks, thereby ensuring access to abortion through most of the second trimester. (See “Women Win Right to Children without Fathers” at www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3972376.ece.)
• Savior siblings—342 to 163—MPs rejected a proposal to outlaw the creation of embryos that are screened, before being implanted in their mother’s womb, to ensure they are suitable tissue donors for a sibling with a genetic condition. Non-suitable embryos are discarded. (See “What Will We Tell These Production-Line Children?” at www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/05/21/do2103.xml.)
• Human admixed embryos—336 to 176—MPs voted to allow the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos as a source of stem cells for research. This radical move opens the door for anything to happen in the name of science. (See “MPs Defy Moral Outrage to Allow Use of Human-Animal Embryos for Scientific Research” at www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-567193/MPs-defy-moral-outrage-allow-use-human-animal-embryos-scientific-research.html and “MPs Vote for Human-Animal Hybrid Embryos” at www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/1989386/MPs-vote-for-human-animal-hybrid-embryos.html.)

During the debates over these measures, ex-Labour minister Sir Gerald Kaufman questioned, “How far do you go? Where do you stop? What are the limits and what are the boundaries?”¹  The UK has picked up speed on the slippery slope and has paved the way for other nations to follow. As I watched the daily news, I had three reactions:

1. Anger—The warrior spirit rose up in me. Each day that a new measure was passed, I wanted to shake sense into someone. I wanted to fight for life.
2. Fear—It wasn’t of the Lord, but it was a human response to the rapid move away from God into a death policy couched in science and humanitarianism.
3. Weeping—This surprised me. I don’t recall the last time I wept with this depth of grief over the millions of people caught in the deceptive thinking illustrated by these recent measures.

The weeping convicted me. I began to think of Jeremiah, the weeping prophet (Jeremiah 9:1). Of Paul, who never stopped warning the Church with tears (Acts 20:31). Of Jesus, who wept over Jerusalem, which was destined for slaughter because its people had failed to recognize God in their midst (Luke 19:41-44).

God weeps for those running headlong into destruction. I had to ask myself: Do I? Do I hear the groaning of the earth and the people who live on it? Have I gotten so busy doing good works that I’ve lost touch with God’s compassionate heart?

Weeping didn’t weaken me. Far from it! The weeping bonded me to Christ and pleased God. It bonded me to others. It humbled me. Interestingly, it drove the fear from me.

We must retain a godly sorrow in our hearts as we pursue life-giving ministry. Only that attitude will bear lasting fruit. God promises that those who sow in tears will reap in joy. God promises that those courageous enough to mourn will be comforted.

Please, weep with God over those destined for slaughter. Weep with us over the death policies reigning in so many countries. And join us in the fight to rescue those being led to the slaughter: Pray for our partners working for life worldwide. Pray for victories in the mission field created by abortion, for tens of thousands of women and men to give their lives to Christ and to choose life for their preborn children. And, consider what you can invest financially this month to advance life-giving work around the world.

Every time you pray or give of your resources for this mission, you come alongside brothers and sisters overseas to share the truth and hope of Christ with hurting people, through which He saves lives, physically and spiritually. Thank you for all you do to honor God with your life and to help proclaim life in the nations.

His for life,

Kurt Dillinger, President 

¹“MPs Back Hybrid Embryo Research,” BBC News, 19 May 2008, news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7407589.stm