There is absolutely nothing extraordinary about Richard Mourdock’s view regarding pregnancy as a result of rape1. What is extraordinary is that in a country where 70+% identify themselves as Christians2, the view that only God can create life is thought to be extreme.
The use of a pronoun allowed some to accuse Mourdock of saying that God intended the rape to happen, but he was clearly referring to the life that is created in all pregnancies, regardless of how that pregnancy came about. Human beings cannot create life. A human can fertilize an egg, which is the means that God uses to create new life, but it is God who brings the new life into existence.
Unfortunately for our country, orthodox Christian views are becoming increasingly marginalized. Despite the overwhelming majority who claim to be Christians, espousing actual Christian views in public is now seen as a negative. Although I voted for Rick Santorum in the 2012 Republican Primary, I perceived that he was unlikely to win a national race for President because too many people were turned off by his strong commitment to his faith. His religious affiliation wasn’t the problem, it was his religious fervor. I fear that the same will be true of Mike Pence if he runs for President. Mike Pence will be our next Governor, because he is a superb candidate, Indiana is a conservative state, and he has a weak opponent. John Gregg has tried to paint Pence as an extremist, which is ridiculous, but I fear that in a nationwide general election, enough people may buy into such accusations to keep him from winning the Presidency. I hope I’m wrong, and I hope Hoosiers have enough sense to ignore the media’s attempt to stir up controversy around Mourdock.
“I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God, and I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” cbsnews.com ↩