In Webster’s New World Dictionary, genocide is described as, “the deliberate destruction of a national, racial, religious …or other groups defined by the exterminators as undesirable.” According to the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, more than 40 million “undesirable” babies have been killed in the United States since abortion was legalized in 1973. Planned Parenthood puts the number of abortions each year in America at 1.31 million.

What has happened to this country? When did our moral values get so twisted that murdering a child became an acceptable means of birth control? As a Christian, I believe that all God’s children should be protected. However, if you are not a Christian, there are many reasons to stand against abortion.

As early as eight weeks, you can see the beginnings of the human form of the fetus. It is the size of a quarter. According to a study published in The British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the heartbeat of an unborn child is detectable as early as the 25th day. Electrical brain waves have been recorded as early as 40 days. I pray everyday that these children get the protection from genocide they so deserve.

Many pro-choice believers say that it is a “woman’s right to choose.” Since when has murder become an acceptable choice? There are many people I don’t like and that I think this world would be better off without, but murder is not a legal choice-unless you are an innocent child who has not been delivered from your mother’s uterus. Then, according to our current laws, it is OK to murder.

Only in a few unfortunate circumstances do I believe a woman should be given the right to abort, and birth control isn’t one of them. Cases of rape or possible health risks to the child or mother are the only circumstances where a woman should be given a choice. However, a mere seven percent of abortions are due to health risks or rape, according to the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. Ninety-three percent of abortions are a means of birth control. That is deplorable.

 There are numerous ways to prevent pregnancy, the most obvious of which is abstinence. As a true believer in the word of God, I believe in waiting until marriage. I know that realistically we can’t expect the whole nation to adhere to this standard, but is it that hard to use protection? Planned Parenthood offers free condoms to low-income families here in California. Go to your local Planned Parenthood for more information or go to their website online. There are many forms of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies including pills, shots, contraceptives, and more. Yet more than 93 percent of people use legal murder as a form of birth control. Why?

Genocide is happening and nobody is doing anything about it. When will this genocide be stopped? I will continue to pray for the unborn children and I will continue to support those who treat life as gift and not a nuisance.