Who knew that this saying is no older than 1976 and comes from Texas Tech sport’s information director, Ralph Carpenter, when the Aggies tied the Red Raiders in the conference finals? The actual quote is: “The opera ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” (Based on my research, I think the jury is still out as to where, when, and who first said this.)
The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a big deal, but realize that now abortion is a fiercer political issue than ever. The votes of individuals carry much more clout than before. Now your votes. elect people at the state level who can effect Pro-Life change. For the last 49 years, your vote could help elect a President who was Pro-Life, who might have the opportunity to appoint a Pro-Life Supreme Court Justice, who then might actually make Pro-Life decisions. Can you see how all these ‘mights’ add up to precious little power?
Now things have changed, but the Fat Lady has by no means sung in the tragic opera called Abortion on Demand. And here I am presented with two theological pinch points.
First, just because we can vote directly on Pro-Life issues does not mean abortion is a political issue that can be decided by a 51% majority. No amount of voting or votes can make it moral to murder the unborn in the womb.
Second, is more controversial, and as I am wont to do in such cases, I begin with a joke. A leading Texas Democrat asks Farmer Hank if all six of his boys are still voting democrat. He replies, “Yes sir; all but Abe. He learned to read” (James Mitchener, Texas, 1124).
I have contended for 40 years with women who said other women couldn’t go to a gynecologist who was Pro-Abortion, and with men who said you couldn’t vote into office a man who was Pro-Abortion. I always responded, mostly ineffectually I think, with the example of President Jimmy Carter. I was in the Army during his presidency. He, at that time, was a faithful Southern Baptist. But he was a lousy Commander and Chief. I would’ve rather had a pagan in office who supported and understood the military. The Lord raises up the likes of pagan court officials, Pharaohs, Babylonian monarchs, and pagan Cyrus to lead and even in the last case to shepherd(!) His people.
Now back to being able to read. The 1972 Democratic Platform, when abortion was a hot button issue, made no mention of it at the instruction of the Democratic Nominee, George McGovern. McGovern was characterized as “a left-wing extremists who would remake the Democrats as the party of ‘amnesty [for draft dodgers], acid, and abortion…’” But even he thought abortion should be decided at the state level. In 1976 this is what you read in the Democratic Platform: it was “’undesirable’” to amend the Constitution to overturn Roe v. Wade. It also said, “Democrats ‘fully recognize the religious and ethical nature of the concerns which many Americans have on the subject of abortion.’”
Jump to 1992 when the bottom fell out of American society, when an ignoble pagan, in contrast to the past noble ones, was elected to the President. That year the platform opined, “’Democrats stand behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, regardless of ability to pay, and support a national law to protect that right.’” Even then there was still langue in the platform about respecting “’the individual conscience of each American on this difficult issue.’”
In 2016 the Democrats had a party pledge to eradicate the Hyde Amendment that, since 1977, had protected taxpayers from being forced to fund abortions except in limited cases. Then the 2020 convention had the Democrats “in effect hanging out a sign declaring ‘pro-lifers not allowed before the convention even started.’” (All quotes relating to the Democratic Platform from https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/democrats-history-on-abortion August 21, 2020).
Here’s the rub. Those who don’t test politicians by their faithfulness to God’s revealed Word, whether in policies or life, go by things like fiscal conservativeness, foreign diplomacy ability, and/or economic policies. These vote the man not the party. Others believe you vote for the party not the man. Texas has a rich history of this. Look up “yellow dog Democrat” which is a Southern expression, but I’ve only heard it in Texas.
I was in Detroit when legalized gambling was on the ballot, twice. I never preached about the issue. I talked about it in Bible class. I was in Louisiana when the issue was legalizing river boat gaming and the lottery. I never preached about the issue till it was signed into law. Then I did preach about the lottery. I have preached every year on the Sanctity of Life since 1989. When I do, I’m not preaching politics but God’s revelation.
I’ve never told anyone how to vote. I would, however, ask you to read these statements from the 2020 Democratic Party Platform before you do: file:///C:/Users/pharris/Downloads/2020-Democratic-Party-Platform.pdf:
“Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion.”
“Democrats oppose restrictions on medication abortion care that are inconsistent with the most recent medical and scientific evidence and that do not protect public health.”
“Like the majority of Americans, Democrats believe every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion.”
“Democrats will always protect sexual and reproductive health and rights. We believe that comprehensive health services, including access to reproductive care and abortion services, are vital to the empowerment of women and girls.”
“We will support the repeal of the global gag rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy) and measures like the Helms Amendment, which limit safe access to abortion.”
If this is not the tune you wish to be heard singing not when the fat lady sings but when the trumpet does sound on the tragic opera of Abortion on Demand, think about what chorus you do wish to be heard in.
