Commentary

Red, White & Theocratic

As pundits and media analysts debate the merits of the spin surrounding the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, a much broader discussion should be taking place that speaks to the heart of the First Amendment. No -- not the part about free speech, free press and protest, but the first part about not having any laws based on the establishment of religion.

Because that’s what SCOTUS is likely to do if it allows states to make abortion illegal, because the majority of Americans -- you know, the ones who are supposed to decide in a democracy -- don’t believe it should be. 

Such a precedent could lead to even more enforcement of religious beliefs based on gender, race, and other minority views that have nothing to do with a democratic process, but everything to do with a theocratic one in which the clergy rules. And not just any clergy, but some very fundamental ones.

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A majority of Americans representing a wide range of religious and political views support abortion rights, and according to a new Ipsos study, two-thirds of Americans (63%) are likely to vote for candidates who support passing a law legalizing abortion to replace Roe if SCOTUS strikes it down.

On the bright side, the ruling is likely to energize a base of voters who would turn out to exercise a democratic process, effectively striking down a theocratic one.

1 comment about "Red, White & Theocratic".
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  1. Edward Fisher from Ed Fisher & Co., May 6, 2022 at 3:37 p.m.

    There is nothing theocratic going on here. If Roe is overturned, as it should be, it undoes a very bad decision from 1973. It establishes nothing other than a requirement that the matter be decided by the voters in the fifty states. Some states will outlaw or restrict abortion, others will not. All should.

    Unfortunately, 60-some percent of Americans have convinced themselves that there is no human life involved. The reality is that, from the moment of conception, a human being is created with unique human DNA. In nine months, what will be born will not be a plant or a rock or a puppy, but a living, breathing human being. How anyone can deny that fact is unfathomable. That should be enough to make abortion unthinkable and illegal, religious beliefs notwithstanding.

    American law prohibits murder and theft, which are also prohibited by the Ten Commandments. Does the fact that all religions also prohibit those acts invalidate those laws?

    Unfortunately for our country, we have now had decades of focus on "rights" without any acknowledgement or acceptance of the responsibilities that come with those rights. "My body, my choice" really means "I'll do whatever I want and if I get pregnant, the baby pays the price."
    No one cares what you do with your body-right up until a new life is created. Then it's no longer just about you and what you want; then society must step in to protect the life of the unborn, if you won't.

    How about an exception for rape or incest? Well, a human life is a human life, even if the child is the result of a tragic, horrific crime. Let society provide the maximum assistance to the mother and child and the maximum penalty to the perpetrator.

    The only exception should be to preserve the life of the mother.

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Joe Mandese is the Editor in Chief of MediaPost. You can reach Joe at joe@mediapost.com.