There are few political topics more inflammatory, divisive and energizing than abortion. With Utah’s legislative session starting and this being an election year, we’re sure to see bills and resolutions on this controversial issue. Given that certainty, I simply ask this: Let’s keep the conversation focused on facts, data and reality. Intentional efforts to appeal to base emotions and drive each other to either/or positions will not help us make progress in this difficult area.
For example, I hear some say, “life begins at conception” as if that fact self-evidently finishes any discussion about whether a legal right to abortion should exist at all. Of course, it’s true that a form of life begins at conception. But many want to reduce or eliminate abortions by viewing the form of life at conception as equal in rights to the life of the woman bearing the child. This idea has little support from a historical, moral, spiritual, legal or constitutional perspective.
The argument that the form of life created at conception carries with it all constitutional guarantees has never been the law in this country. For good reason. Who, other than the woman carrying the unborn child, would we want to put in charge of enforcing the unborn child’s legal rights? How would courts decide the circumstances under which someone other than the woman would step in to protect those rights? There are formidable practical problems with weighing the legal rights of an embryo at conception equally with the mother’s legal rights.
As both an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a supporter of the legal need to have abortion options, I believe it’s critical that we move beyond headlines and deepen our understanding of the personal and public health aspects of abortion.
Most spiritual leaders don’t view abortion as a black-and-white issue. The abortion policy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been in place for decades. Its official policy acknowledges that there are circumstances when a woman may need or want to choose to have an abortion.
I personally believe the church policy is inconsistent both with outlawing all abortions and with making the legal rights of a woman and the embryo she carries equal from conception.
For example, the church does not do temple work for stillborn children. And the church as an institution “has not favored or opposed specific legislative proposals” involving abortion.
Every day, women in Utah face the deeply personal decision of whether to continue their pregnancy. Every pregnancy and every woman’s circumstances are different. No one can know the reasons why a woman chooses to end a pregnancy. But we should accept that her decision must always remain with her, in consultation with her family and her faith.
Political debates on this issue can quickly become divisive and polarizing. But they don’t have to end up at that point.
I’d like to work together to find common ground. In fact, abortion rates across the country are decreasing and Utah has one of the lowest rates in the country. Let’s work to make sure that trend continues.
On the other hand, sexually transmitted infections have been on a dramatic rise in Utah and in other parts of the country. Let’s continue to reduce abortions and reverse the increasing number of STIs. We can inform our children in public schools about the activities that lead to STIs and how to reduce the risk for getting them. We can educate them about the health and economic benefits of stable and healthy sexual relationships. We can make contraception more available to people of all ages who choose to engage in sex. And we can provide greater resources and support for pregnant mothers considering adoption.
Political debates on this issue can quickly become divisive and polarizing. But they don’t have to end up at that point. Let’s use our time in this legislative session to productively work on these common ground areas and make progress in ways that benefit our children and all Utahns.
Rep. Brian King is the minority leader of the Utah House of Representatives.