The Christian Reich, Fetal Idolatry & Female Reproductive Enslavement
by Charles Rulon
Emeritus, Life Sciences, Long Beach City College
Overview: The Christian Right is arguably the largest, best organized and most powerful force in American politics today. No other political group comes even close. Yet, the uncompromising position of the Christian Right toward women with unwanted pregnancies puts an ugly face on democracy, on social justice and on the spirit of love and compassion.
It’s a position that demeans the intelligence and moral character of women and returns them to the Dark Ages of dangerous illegal abortions. How can any society ever expect its citizens to live in a way that is higher and more noble when it attempts to force women with unwanted pregnancies (a persistent and major reality throughout the entire history of humanity) to stay pregnant against their will—to be unwilling embryo incubators?
Where is the social justice in forcing women to stay pregnant against their will, to be obligatory breeding machines? Where is the wisdom in placing women essentially in reproductive bondage to a patriarchal state? Why hasn’t our nation wholeheartedly endorsed the fundamental right of women to be able to control their own reproductive futures — a right that is basic to female equality and human liberty?