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The Phantom Menace of Post-Birth Abortions

The Phantom Menace of Post-Birth Abortions

Last updated on: September 10, 2024 at 3:45 am by Stuart Delony

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The Phantom Menace of Post-Birth Abortions 2024-09-06T17:16:36-04:00 Stuart Delony

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Ever since the fall of Roe v. Wade or the conservative fever dream of Project 2025, women’s reproductive rights have been under relentless attack. If the Orange Messiah and JD Vance’s political wet dreams come true, things are going to get much worse. So, brace yourself for the continued surge in rhetoric and further erosion of women’s rights.

With reproductive choice, conservatives spin their own propaganda filled with scare tactics and half-truths. One of their most egregious talking points is the myth of “post-birth abortions.“ Guess what? It’s pure fiction.

The idea of “post-birth abortions“ is the brainchild of those who think The Handmaid’s Tale is a devotional guide. Lies like these suggesting that pro-choice advocates support killing babies are spread to stoke fear and panic.

Bad Science, Worse Theology

The anti-abortion/pro-life movement loves to wrap itself in the guise of science and scripture. But is that really the case?

Bad Science:

This movement typically misinterprets or cherry-picks scientific data to fit their narrative. Fetal development is complex, yet anti-abortion activists prefer black-and-white answers to nuanced questions. They ignore the medical realities of pregnancy and the legitimate health concerns of the mother.

Bad Theology:

Theological arguments against abortion rely on selective scripture readings. The Bible is silent on abortion, but that hasn’t stopped some from twisting verses to suit their agenda. The same folks who claim to believe in the doctrine of free will seem awfully eager to control women’s bodies.

The Human Cost of Banning Abortions

There are real consequences to abortion bans. It’s not just about abstract debates – it’s about women’s lives.

Medical Risks: Denying access to safe abortions does not stop abortions. It only makes them more dangerous when women are forced to seek out illegal procedures. According to the World Health Organization, 23,000 women die from unsafe abortions each year. Tens of thousands more suffer significant health complications globally.

Health Complications: For some women, pregnancy can be life-threatening. Conditions like ectopic pregnancies, severe preeclampsia, and other complications require immediate medical intervention. Spoiler alert: that also can include abortion.

A study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that banning abortion in the U.S. would lead to a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths overall. Sometimes staying pregnant is more dangerous than having an abortion.

Global Impact: The negative effects of restrictive abortion laws aren’t limited to the U.S. Before Ethopia liberalized its abortion laws in 2005, unsafe abortions contributed to nearly a third of all maternal deaths. Since then, deaths from unsafe abortions have dropped sharply. This only shows the life-saving importance of accessible, safe abortion services.

Human Dignity: Women deserve the right to make decisions about their own bodies. Stripping away that autonomy dehumanizes them. Adoption is often presented as an alternative to abortion, but it is not that simple. Pregnancy and childbirth come with significant risks and costs to both health and finances. Access to safe abortion is a critical part of comprehensive reproductive health care.

The Real Agenda

The anti-abortion movement is less about saving lives and more about controlling them. It’s about policing morality, maintaining patriarchal structures, and keeping women in a subordinate role.

The perpetuation of myths like “post-birth abortions” has real consequences. It fuels misinformation and spreads unnecessary fear. Ultimately, it distracts from the genuine issues surrounding reproductive rights.

Facing Reality

Women should have the freedom to make their own choices. Full stop.

These decisions should be based on real information – not fear-mongering and myths. Public policy should protect everyone’s right to decide what’s best for themselves and not dictate it. Banning abortions doesn’t save lives. It only puts women at risk and strips away their humanity.

In the end, controlling women’s bodies has never been about saving lives and has always been about control.

For more Snarky Faith, check out the podcast:

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About Stuart Delony

I’m Stuart Delony, a former pastor who walked out of the church but couldn’t shake the ways of Jesus. These days, I host Snarky Faith—a podcast and platform that wrestles with faith, culture, and meaning from the fringe. I’m not here to fix Christianity. I’m here to name what’s broken, find what’s still worth keeping, and hold space for the questions that don’t have clean answers. If you’ve been burned, disillusioned, or just done with the noise—welcome. You’re in good company. You can read more about the author here.

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