More than a dozen senators in South Carolina have signed on to an open letter to Gov. Henry McMaster, asking that he require abortion facilities in the state to close in light of his executive order halting “all elective and non-threatening surgical and medical procedures” in the midst of the global COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are going to great lengths, as we should, to protect lives because of the enormous value we place on an individual human life,” the letter reads. “Yet, in the midst of these ongoing efforts, the abortion clinics across South Carolina are busier than ever.”
It notes that while 51 people died from the novel coronavirus during the period of March 16 to April 7, at least 150 unborn babies had their lives snuffed out at Planned Parenthood in Columbia alone. There are three abortion facilities in the state.
And while McMcMaster had ordered on March 17 for medical and surgical centers to halt all elective, non-emergent procedures, “[a]bortion clinics are not complying with the request.”
“Elective procedures are, by definition, a choice,” the letter outlines. “As a matter of fact, killing a baby in the mother’s womb is an elective procedure, a ‘choice,’ not a necessity, not an emergency.”
The senators cite that law enforcement had been granted discretion to break up groups who were not social distancing and that public ramps and piers were closed when it was learned that residents were congregating on waterways. So, why is the order to postpone all elective procedures not being enforced?
“In addition, the recent order to close many businesses deemed non-essential further highlights the fact that abortion clinics are doing business as usual, in defiance of your clear request to halt elective medical and surgical procedures,” the letter states.
“Now is the time for South Carolina to act to close abortion clinics during this pandemic so that fewer people will be exposed to this virus, more resources could be made available to health care workers, and lives will be saved,” it urges.
Led by Sen. Richard Cash, R-Anderson, signees include Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, Senate President Harvey Peeler, Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry; Sen. Rex Rice, R-Pickens; Sen. Tom Corbin, R-Greenville; Sen. Shane Martin, R-Spartansburg; and Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington.
According to the publication The State, Cash and others held a virtual press conference on Thursday, in which they spoke about their call to close abortion facilities during the outbreak.
“It is unacceptable, especially during this time when the governor has closed businesses and sent people home, families aren’t working right now, that abortions continue in South Carolina,” said Sen. Stewart Jones, R-Laurens.
“One organization has thumbed their nose at our community and the governor, and that is Planned Parenthood,” also remarked John McCravy, R-Greenwood. “Every citizen should be disgusted at their failure to comply with the governor’s request.”
As previously reported, in other states, abortion groups have asserted that abortion is essential and time-
sensitive, and suggesting that women will seek abortions all the more during this time for economic reasons.
“People decide to end their pregnancies for a complex constellation of reasons that include the impact of pregnancy and birth on their health, ability to work, and strained economic circumstances. These are conditions that do not go away — and are likely heightened — in pandemic conditions,” said Kellie Copeland of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio. “Denying or delaying abortion care places an immediate burden on patients, their families, and the health system, and can have profound and lasting consequences.”
Planned Parenthood sued the state of Texas over the matter, but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Gov. Greg Abbott’s order on Tuesday, stating that it is not unconstitutional as it does not ban all abortions but only postpones those that are not medically necessary.
However, Christians throughout history have declared all abortion as murder and a placing of self above God.
The late preacher Lee Roy Shelton wrote in “The Crimes of Our Times,” “The revelation of God made to man out of His blessed Word proves that He has purposes for every individual and for the [human] race, stretching far beyond the present moment or manifestation; and to terminate a single life is to set yourselves up as wiser and superior to God.”
“[T]he Bible declares human life to be sacred. It is a divine creation, mysterious and magnificent in its beginning and possibility, utterly beyond the control or comprehension of any human being. It is never to be taken away at the will of anyone, for how can they tell the full meaning of that life and what it will bring forth?”
“The immensity of the issues of death is so great that there can be no sin against humanity, and accordingly, against God, greater than that of taking a human life.”
Heather Clark is a senior editor with Christian News where this article first appeared.
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