The goal of the Liberal Agenda, to have abortion readily accessible, is likely to take a step forward this coming Wednesday. The news all this week has been focussed on who would join those who have already voting against the Bill. Four TD’s already have, contrary to the party whip, resulting in their immediate expulsion from the government party.

The “suicide clause” is likely to provide the open door to abortion on demand. This is a fact well attested to in countries that have it included in their legislation. But the question is how did we get to the place where there is such a clamour in favour of abortion?

Is it really all about women’s rights over her body?

Is it the hallmark of the liberal progressive State to be able to offer abortion to its citizens (and others)?

It’s well known that once conduct is made legal it becomes acceptable, weakening the conscience and multiplying the demand for the service.

But where did this “rights” thinking come from? The Christian view was always to safeguard the rights of others, usually starting with the weakest and most vulnerable in society. Certainly not concentrating on ones own rights.

Could it be that in slipping anchor from Biblical principles we have succumbed to the evolutionary theory which equates man with monkeys. If man is no longer thought to be God’s special creation, no longer made in God’s image then the value of human life becomes increasingly akin to that of the animal world.

By making God redundant man is free to assume the position of deity and exercise his will over the lives of others – starting with the weakest who are found in the womb.

Indeed with God dispensed with the fruit of God once the mark of the Christian, “love (agape not the Hollywood variety), joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” are largely out of place in our rights society. Can you imagine for instance suggesting to modern people that they curb their licentious nature by exercising self-control? We would be laughed out of court! “Get a life” is the piece of advice which is the common response. And that coincidentally may not be a bad place to start!

Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life (St John Chapter 14 verse 6). He re-creates by the new birth new life into repentant sinners. Jesus spoke and lived out the truth, “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (St John chapter 8 verses 31/32).

This freedom is not to be abused by killing babies in the womb or as St Paul put it “do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, but through love serve one another (Galatians Chapter 5 verse 13).