By Jeff Iorg, President of Golden Gate Theological Seminary
According to the Guttmacher Institute, the abortion rate in the U.S. declined in 2011 to its lowest rate since 1973 and the number of abortions fell by 13 percent between 2008 and 2011.
While there were still about 1.06 million abortions in 2011 (and that’s still a national disgrace), the declining numbers are encouraging.
The report postulated several reasons for the decline – ranging from the economic downturn making people more cautious about pregnancy to improved access to and use of contraceptives.
Another factor, not mentioned in the report, is a growing cultural aversion to abortion as a birth control method.
Other more recent surveys show a slight majority of Americans now oppose abortion.
While far from being outlawed, abortion is less popular than ever.
This is good news for unborn children who depend on others to defend their right to life.
It’s also good news for the American society as we take at least one small step away from policies and practices designed to weed out those persons deemed weak, unnecessary, or unproductive.
While a diminished number abortions isn’t the same as eliminating abortions, it’s a positive step in the right direction.
Right to life advocates, adoptions providers, and crisis pregnancy center workers should be saluted and supported for the good work they are doing.