Opinion: Deeper discussions about 'life' are lost in 'reproductive rights.'

"Wrong on Rights" (Sept. 8, 2024) is the published perspective of Jim Young on the divisive issue of abortion. At first blush, I thought this would be another "white dudes for Harris" perspective. On closer reading, it came across as the weariness of the issue being the subject of public policy as told through a grandfather's hypothetical dilemma.

Let me offer another hypothetical: A young woman does not have to have this dilemma in today's America. How is that? She should be raised with the affirmative dialogue of parents and grandparents of her infinite worth and dignity as a God's own special creation. That dialogue would engage that she is worthy of respect from every male in her life, including her growth from newborn to womanhood; her abilities in education and vocation and society in general; her right to anticipate that God's plan for her includes a future relationship with a man that reflects love, fidelity and loyalty, and commitment to her to share in bringing up the next generation of her family. The conversations would point out the emptiness of the "Hollywood model" of intimacy reduced to a sexualized object in a quid pro quo transaction that leaves a woman empty as opposed to knowing intrinsic worth. This preparation or upbringing would prepare her for trials and tribulations in life which are forecasted in God's word as a means to grow closer in knowledge and reliance on God while persevering through circumstances.

Hypothetically, this young woman has a brother who receives encouragement through dialogue with parents and grandparents. This dialogue would likewise declare his infinite worth and dignity as a God's own special creation. The conversations would reflect the physical differences in sexual drives based on physical differences and caution him against behavior that could be described as sexual predation ― or being a cad. Hopefully, both grandchildren are counseled on the two greatest commandments explained by Jesus in Matthew 22:40: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The conversations with both grandchildren could then look at the 10th Commandment and reflect the aspect of a neighbor, including one's future spouse, and that if not yet known, the future spouse is known by God. Until it's known, every date is potentially someone else's spouse deserving of respect from wrong behavior.

Deeper discussions as outlined seem lost in the repetitiveness of the phrase "reproductive rights." Likewise, the campaign slogan "we're not going back" is also repetitively used with reference to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs overturning Roe v. Wade. But what will we be going toward as a society? Such phrases desensitize our society and transform us to becoming ever coarser and more callous with respecting the dignity of persons. Will cutting life short stop at an unborn baby? Will it spill over to our neighbors who are disabled, sickened or feeble because they are "unwanted?" These two phrases are just as objectionable as the video games that desensitize gamers to shooting guns in virtual reality; why are we so mystified when the shooting occurs in real life? Valuing life is valuing our neighbors.

Barbara Bowersox is a retired attorney from Oklahoma City who practiced law for over 35 years.