Recently, Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement This seems to be causing a celebration, especially from Christian evangelicals and other people with conservative views on religion, politics and society. The celebration may be misplaced because we could be about to lose a good friend. The friend I am talking about is not Justice Kennedy. The friend I refer to is Roe v. Wade and the fight about abortion.

   Since Roe v. Wade made abortion legal across the nation in 1973 it has been our best friend. What am I talking about? Opponents of this judgement have seen this decision as an impediment in the fight to protect human life all these years. With Kennedy’s retirement we could see a strong tilt to the right in the Supreme Court that might finally overturn Roe and end abortion. Well, not exactly, and here is why I think we would lose a great friend if Roe went away. Roe helps us politically, emotionally, and allows us to stop short of the hard work of really tackling a problem.

   Roe has given us great political power. It is easy to stir people up and create political clout by carrying the banner of saving life. We have been able to scare people with the thought that people are out there just waiting for their turn to have abortions like they were waiting in line to get a lollipop at the store. The reality is not true. Abortion is a deeply difficult issue. In many cases it is not a choice taken lightly. Yet we have been able to promote that vision as if we are the last line of defense in a genocidal bent to wipe out an entire generation.I do not think that abortion is the solution to those problems. What I am saying is that there does not seem to be a shortage of people in this country even though abortion is legal.

   Roe helps us avoid strong, emotionally charged, uncomfortable situations. Take for example the situation of Emily and Hannah. Both girls have grown up together in their church. They have been very active in Sunday school and youth group and are loved by all. The congregation was very proud of them when they received their purity rings, each promising aloud to everyone they would wait to have sex until they were married. The girls meant it because the church told them this was right and they loved and felt supported by their church. But, each of them faced a moment when their emotions and hormones became stronger than they knew how to handle.

   Emily loved her boyfriend and, caught up in a moment, had sex. Filled with remorse and shame, she hid what happened and planned to tell no one. However, she soon discovered she was pregnant and faced a dilemma. Remembering the church’s teaching that all life is sacred, Emily decided to have the baby. She confessed what happened and looked for help. While the church was full of “good Christian people,” Emily noticed how she was looked at and treated. Attitudes in the church towards her began to change. Hushed conversations stopped when she went by, if she was lucky. Other conversations were overheard that talked about what a disappointment she was. Emily faced disapproving glances and outright dismissal. Her friends’ parents did not want them to hang out with “that girl.” You see where this is going?

   Hannah’s tale happened at the same time as Emily faced her pregnancy. While she meant to keep her promise, Hannah also found herself lost in the love she felt and physical sensations she had not been taught how to handle. And yes, Hannah too became pregnant. Hannah decided that she should have an abortion. She did not feel like she could face her family, friends, and congregation with what had happened, so Hannah slipped off quietly to a clinic and had an abortion. Hannah tells no one. People in the church continue to sing her praises.  What a treasure Hannah is. Not like that tramp, Emily, who got herself pregnant. If only Emily had been more like Hannah they say. So, Hannah keeps her secret. She wants help but cannot confess to anyone. Hannah is left alone, inside a prison laced with gold on the outside, but black and cold on the inside. I am sure that your church would not act like this, but there are other churches that would.

   You see, legal abortion allows Christians to hide from situations and emotions we do not want to deal with. If Roe V. Wade is overturned, it might cause us to face our hypocrisy in our call to protect life. Because protecting life goes far beyond conception. Protecting life goes on for life. We want to claim that we are pro-life. If that is true then we have to stick it out the whole way. Do you disagree? That is fine. Just remember that when you talk about how “welfare moms” need to stop having kids. Remember that fear of death when we think about homeless children being exploited in the country because there is no one to take care of them. These situations bring up strong feelings and strong emotions. They are uncomfortable and we look for something to make them go away. Being able to ignore them while we focus on the battle over abortion helps us to find a space away from these and other issues.

   Roe gone does not solve the “problem of abortion.” Making abortion illegal will not mean abortions no longer happen. The church can walk away and claim victory. Yet, the reality will be that all we have really done is driven a problem underground. You see, there were unwanted pregnancies and abortions before 1973. Overturning Roe v.Wade does not solve the issue of unwanted pregnancies and questions about what it truly means for us to be Pro-Life. It does mean we can shout, “We Won” and then stick our head in the sands, pretending there is nothing else to do. And sticking your head in the sand standing up presents an awful picture.

   If we truly do see Roe v. Wade overturned in the coming years, watch out. We might suddenly have to face an issue rather than try to cover it up. On second thought, maybe having our head in the sand standing up would be a good thing. Sometimes the church needs a good swift kick to get it on track.