{"id":75,"date":"2008-10-17T16:45:38","date_gmt":"2008-10-17T16:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2008\/10\/two-very-different-views-on-ab.html"},"modified":"2008-10-17T16:45:38","modified_gmt":"2008-10-17T16:45:38","slug":"two-very-different-views-on-ab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2008\/10\/two-very-different-views-on-ab.html","title":{"rendered":"Two Very Different Views on Abortion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry, to address your critique of a McCain supporter’s prayer: people of all faiths are entitled to pray as they see fit. There is nothing wrong with wanting our government leaders, who make decisions that have a profound impact on our lives, to share our value systems. I agree with you that Americans should vote for candidates based on where they stand on important policy issues, but the values and principles upon which a candidate’s policy positions are based are also important to consider.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

Barry, I’m also quite surprised that you’re asking the candidates to issue controversial theological statements such as “God does not do elections.” You’re entitled to believe that as a matter of personal theology, but many religious Americans believe that God is involved in all aspects of human affairs.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

On the issues, the most recent Presidential debate reaffirmed that the candidates have starkly different positions when it comes to abortion. (You can watch the candidates address the issue of abortion during the debate at Hofstra University by clicking here<\/a>.) <\/font><\/font><\/font>When the topic of judicial nominations and overturning Roe v. Wade<\/i> came up, Sen. Obama stated that judicial nominations are “going to be, I think, one of the most consequential decisions of the next president. It is very likely that one of us will be making at least one and probably more than one appointments and Roe v. Wade<\/i> probably hangs in the balance. Now I would not provide a litmus test. But I am somebody who believes that Roe v. Wade<\/i> was rightly decided.”<\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

Sen. Obama added that “women in consultation with their families, their doctors, their religious advisers, are in the best position to make [the abortion] decision. And I think that the Constitution has a right to privacy in it that shouldn’t be subject to state referendum . . . . With respect to partial-birth abortion, I am completely supportive of a ban on late-term abortions, partial-birth or otherwise, as long as there’s an exception for the mother’s health and life . . . .”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

This is in line with Sen. Obama’s earlier comments at the Saddleback forum<\/a>. When Pastor Rick Warren asked, “at what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?,” Sen. Obama said, “answering that question with specificity . . . is above my pay grade.” He added, “I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade<\/i> . . . . I am in favor . . . of limits on late-term abortions, if there is an exception for the mother’s health. . . .”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font> <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

By contrast, when Rick Warren asked Sen. McCain “[at] what point is a baby entitled to human rights?” at the Saddleback forum, he responded: “At the moment of conception. I have a 25-year pro-life record in the Congress, in the Senate. And as president of the United States, I will be a pro-life president. And this presidency will have pro-life policies. That’s my commitment. That’s my commitment to you.”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

At this week’s debate, Sen. McCain stated of Roe v. Wade<\/i>, “I thought it was a bad decision. I think there were a lot of decisions that were bad. I think that decisions should rest in the hands of the states. I’m a federalist. And I believe strongly that we should have nominees to the United States Supreme Court based on their qualifications rather than any litmus test.”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

“I would consider anyone in their qualifications,” said Sen. McCain, but added, “I do not believe that someone who has supported Roe v. Wade<\/i> that would be part of those qualifications. But I certainly would not impose any litmus test.”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

When it came to judicial appointments, Sen. Obama said: “I will look for those judges who have an outstanding judicial record, who have the intellect, and who hopefully have a sense of what real-world folks are going through.” Sen. McCain’s answer to that question was “I will find the best people . . . in the United States of America who have a history of strict adherence to the Constitution–and not legislating from the bench.”<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

Barry, I’m sure we can agree that it is good that the candidates addressed the issue of abortion. It is also clear that they represent two very different viewpoints.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

While they touched on the issue of judicial nominees, I would like to hear more about the judicial philosophy of each candidate and hear more about the kind of judges they would appoint. Since the next President will have a major impact on the judiciary for years to come–including most likely the Supreme Court–I would like this issue explored more thoroughly.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

Barry, what about you?<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barry, to address your critique of a McCain supporter’s prayer: people of all faiths are entitled to pray as they see fit. There is nothing wrong with wanting our government leaders, who make decisions that have a profound impact on our lives, to share our value systems. I agree with you that Americans should vote…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abortion","category-election-08"],"yoast_head":"\nTwo Very Different Views on Abortion - Lynn v. 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Jay Sekulow has also served as a faculty member for the Office of Legal Education at the United States Department of Justice.  As a member of the faculty he instructed Assistant United States Attorneys and investigators in the First Amendment issues associated with prosecution of obscenity. An accomplished and respected judicial advocate, Sekulow has presented oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in numerous cases in defense of constitutional freedoms. Several landmark cases argued by Sekulow before the U.S. Supreme Court have become part of the legal landscape in the area of religious liberty litigation.  In the Mergens case, Sekulow cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on their school campuses.  In the Lamb's Chapel case, Sekulow defended the free speech rights of religious groups, ensuring that they be treated equally with respect to the use of public facilities.  And, most recently, in McConnell v. FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. Sekulow serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, DC.","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/author\/jsekulow"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/163"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}