When I became active in pro-life issues in the fall of 1976, I could not figure out what was so difficult about seeing that in abortion a child dies. I saw pictures of unborn children at rallies, fair booths, and in pro-life offices. What do we see that they do not see?

In today’s LifeWire, we have a story about “fetal surgery,” in which an unborn child is partially removed from the womb, and a medical problem is addressed. Then, the child is returned to the womb for continued development. It reminded me of the picture taken on August 19, 1999, of fetal surgery. When the photographer snapped the picture, the baby grabbed the pinky finger of the surgeon. This year, that baby turns 24 years old. He is very much human and alive, as he was that day in 1999 when doctors operated on him while living in his mother’s womb.

So, what gives? Is it possible that others who favor abortion do not see him or her as a human being?

Pictures of human life developing in the womb are a startling revelation for those who imagine that it is something less. Those pictures are valuable tools as we patiently and lovingly reveal the humanity that resides in utero in every pregnancy.

We must realize, however, that the pursuit of abortion rights for policymakers has little to do with unborn human life. The thought leaders at the forefront of the abortion rights movement candidly acknowledge that in abortion, a life is lost and consider it a sad but necessary evil.

Think about it. We have a movement within our nation that marginalizes some human life as expendable (the unborn child) for more valued human life (the mother). A willingness to take some human life endangers all human life.

If you think this is an overreach, consider this: In 2003 Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) led the charge to ban partial-birth abortion – in which a child late in the pregnancy, is partially delivered feet first, killed, then delivered the rest of the way. He graphically showed pictures and explained what happens in a partial-birth abortion. The legislation passed, but not without receiving 176 votes against it.

Why? It has nothing to do with human life in the womb!

Jesus predicted,

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)

The Old Testament proverb reads,

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)

The Apostle Paul observed,

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

When we debate abortion in the public square, we have two audiences. Some do not know it is far more than a “blob of tissue” in the womb. They see the pictures, hear stories about fetal surgery, and are stunned by the unborn child’s humanity.

Others, however, know what they are doing. They have charted a path away from the will of God in the pursuit of creating an idyllic life of their imagining. That life means some must die to get out of the way.

Know your audience and speak clearly, speak lovingly, and speak knowingly.