By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As a former Iranian-American Muslim, ex-vegan, and now a Christian conservative, I have experienced a profound transformation in my beliefs about life, family, and the sanctity of motherhood. I used to believe that “choice” was the cornerstone of women's empowerment. However, as I studied the foundations of Christianity, especially the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), I realized that true empowerment for women is found not in terminating life, but in creating it.
In today’s society, abortion is often portrayed as a woman’s primary right, something that is essential for her freedom and equality. Yet, in this perspective, we miss a much greater, life-affirming truth: the divine and irreplaceable role of motherhood. Women’s ability to bear children is not a burden; it is a profound, sacred gift and a defining aspect of feminine strength and identity. Motherhood is at the core of human existence, and it is through a woman’s nurturing and love that society’s future is built.
Embracing Motherhood as Empowerment
In my journey as a Christian, I’ve come to see that real strength doesn’t lie in rejecting motherhood but in embracing it. The Bible, as well as LDS teachings, upholds motherhood as one of the highest callings a woman can have. Genesis 1:28 commands, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth," emphasizing the sacred purpose of bringing forth and raising life. The purpose of life in this mortal state is centered around family, nurturing, and the generational impact we can have.
Through motherhood, women have the privilege of shaping not only their own children but also the communities they belong to and the very moral fabric of society. The notion that a woman must choose between career or motherhood is a false dichotomy. Women can and often do balance family and professional life, enriching both by drawing on their experiences from each.
Abortion and the Cost to Society
Abortion advocates argue that pregnancy is an obstacle to success and equality. Yet, in reality, abortion undermines society by weakening the value of family and diminishing the sense of responsibility toward future generations. The culture of “my body, my choice” is rooted in a hyper-individualistic perspective that often overlooks the broader consequences for society. With every aborted child, society loses a potential contributor, a future leader, an innovator, or simply someone who would bring love and kindness into the world.
Mother Teresa once said, “It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.” Her words highlight the moral poverty of a society that prioritizes convenience and career over the value of a human life. In a world that increasingly defines progress by how much power we claim over our lives, we have forgotten that true progress honors the sanctity of life.
The Psychological and Spiritual Impacts of Abortion
Many women are led to believe that abortion is a simple medical procedure, but for countless women, it leads to lasting psychological and spiritual scars. Research has shown that women who undergo abortions are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The LDS Church has taught that “the spirit and the body are the soul of man” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:15), implying that a disregard for life affects not only the body but also the soul. When a woman chooses abortion, she is often left with emotional wounds that linger long after the procedure, even if society tells her that this was her “right.”
This anguish is far removed from the joy and purpose that comes with motherhood. It is also contrary to the plan of happiness outlined in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized the importance of family and the unconditional love of parents. The miracle of birth and the sacred duty of nurturing life offer women a deeper sense of purpose, fulfillment, and eternal impact.
Redefining Women’s Rights
True women’s rights are not found in the ability to destroy life but in the right to create, nurture, and uplift it. The world desperately needs the compassion, resilience, and wisdom that women bring to motherhood. As a Christian conservative, I now understand that the ultimate empowerment lies in embracing one’s God-given role.
When we reframe the conversation to recognize that the greatest right a woman holds is the right to have a child—not the right to terminate that life—then we can create a culture that honors and supports motherhood rather than viewing it as an obstacle. Women are not empowered by abortion but are diminished by it, and it is in motherhood that they find their greatest power.
In championing the value of life, we build a society that respects the sanctity of every individual and cherishes the family unit, the bedrock of a thriving civilization. For any nation to prosper, it must honor and support the choice to have and raise children, ensuring that motherhood remains a respected and celebrated calling.
Conclusion
The right to bear and raise children is a foundational principle for any society that seeks to thrive. My transformation, from a former Muslim who once supported secular ideas about “choice” to a Christian who deeply values the family, has shown me that motherhood is the highest calling of a woman. To support life is to uphold the most fundamental right a woman has: the ability to nurture and give life, a privilege bestowed upon her by God Himself.
In honoring this divine gift, we pave the way for stronger families, a stronger society, and ultimately, a stronger nation. Let us respect and cherish the right of every woman to be a mother, and in doing so, affirm the irreplaceable role of women in the ongoing miracle of life.
Citations
- Genesis 1:28, The Holy Bible, King James Version.
- “Be Fruitful, and Multiply.” Doctrine and Covenants 88:15, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Teresa, Mother. Mother Teresa: Essential Writings. Edited by Jean Maalouf, Orbis Books, 2006.
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