Abortion: a word which incites emotion in virtually all Americans. You either jump to the fallacious claims of fake Christian leaders, or you consider the rights of women which have been denied for 244 years in America.

The inappropriately named “pro-life” group is not concerned with Christian doctrine. Whenever they quote the bible, they refer to the Old Testament, which is concerned with history prior to the birth of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament is a history of the teachings of Jesus Christ during the last three years of His life on earth. The “Gospels” of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are composed of quotes and commandments from Christ Himself. Not once does He discuss the subject of abortion or same-sex marriage. His message, which is the basis for all Christian religions, was a message of peace, love, forgiveness, and understanding. Everything else taught by “Christian” leaders today comes from men who use religion to achieve their own ambitions.

In the Old Testament, which is considered by most as a historical document, more than religious or spiritual doctrine, has several instructions loosely related to a woman’s decision to end an unwanted or dangerous pregnancy.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27

“Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” Job 31:15

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15

“Pro-Lifers” twist words and add their own sentences, claiming that the “bible forbids abortion.” They are lying to their followers.

These are some of the words offered from Jesus Christ related to living a life of spirituality.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus Christ

“I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus Christ (Republicans who are the party of the wealthy hate this one).

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Jesus Christ

This issue would not exist in politics today if the lobby calling itself the Christian Religious Right was not allowed to influence Republicans in congress. The CRR in collusion with the right wing is violating the first amendment of the Constitution. No one religion is allowed to have the sole support of a single political party. All religions must be treated equally.

Neither abortion nor same-sex marriage can be denied by our government and cannot be used for political gain.

Abortion is misrepresented. The truth is that it is a woman’s right to make choices about her mental and physical health. An extremely difficult decision no man will ever make. Nothing about is or should be political.

The discussion of same-sex marriage is ludicrous. The 14^th amendment guarantees equal protection under the law, and the first amendments prohibits the exclusion of any individual or group from the rights guaranteed to others.

Contrary to “Christian” leaders and today’s Republican Party in name only, the United States was not founded on religious beliefs. One of the prime reasons our founding fathers left England was in protest of King George III, who declared that the Anglican Church was the one true religion.

The Truth Lives Here

Op-ed by James Turnage

My eight novels, including “DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR GOD AND COUNTRY,” are exclusively available on Amazon; CLICK HERE; the Kindle app is a free download