Measure 1 and End-Of-Life Care
In this article, Lynn claims that Measure 1 would affect end-of-life care decisions. She states, “Let’s say a 90-year-old suffering from a difficult medical condition just wants to die with dignity when the time comes and not have medical intervention to extend his life. That may not be allowed if the constitution says we must protect his life.”
The reason why this statement is far from the truth is because she made a claim about the wording that is not true. She claims that “we must protect his life”.
Measure 1 would add to North Dakota's Constitution: “The inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development must be recognized and protected.”
What is it that “must be recognized and protected?” It is not the “life,” it is the “right” to life. Lynn's claim that Measure 1 would force doctors to “protect his life” against his will is a false statement. Does your right to bear arms mean you must own a gun? Of course not. In a similar way, your right to life does not force you to remain alive against your wishes. It just ensures that nobody else will be able to take your life against your will.
Lynn stated that she doesn't believe treating someone against their will is “faithful to scripture or our Christian beliefs”. However, as just stated, Measure 1 will not force you to be treated against your will.
Measure 1 and Abortion
Measure 1 and Scripture
In the Book of Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5, ESV). I think all Christians would agree that God is the one who forms us in the womb.
In Luke 1:41a, Mary, the mother of Christ, was visiting her cousin Elizabeth. “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (ESV). Doesn't that sound like a human being?
So if Scripture tells us that God creates us in the womb and knows us before we are born, then the child in the womb must be a human being. So what does the Bible say about taking the life of an innocent human? Everyone has heard the commandment “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13, ESV). The New Testament says something similar: “you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15b, ESV)
(I also want to point out, for those who may have had an abortion, that the Bible says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV))
By these verses, I hope it is clear to you that abortion is not something that God desires. Measure 1 could not ban abortion, but it would provide constitutional backing for our laws that restrict it. And if the passing of Measure 1 helps even one mother choose to go through with the pregnancy, surrounded by a group of people willing to help her through it, I feel it will be worth voting for. “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” (Isaiah 1:17, ESV).
I urge you to vote Yes on Measure 1 this November.
By: Nathan Joraanstad