Daniel Darling: Calling foul on abortion’s liberation myth

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Tuesday, January 9th, 2024.

This is WORLD Radio and we’re so glad you’ve joined us today. Good morning. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Coming next on The World and Everything in It: Rediscovering a classic piece of music.

Next month marks the 100th anniversary of what is considered one of America’s most iconic pieces of music.

EICHER: Here with the story is WORLD reporter Bonnie Pritchett.

DANIEL DARLING: Anthony Edwards is one of the best basketball players on the planet. The shooting guard was a first-round pick in 2020 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards has already taken the NBA by storm, voted as a member of the NBA all-rookie team in his first year and later selected to play in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. This season Edwards has led Minnesota to the best record in the Western Conference.

Like many young professional athletes, Edwards is wrestling with the trappings of wealth and fame. Recently, Instagram model Paige Jordae published screenshots of a text conversation in which she revealed to Edwards that she was pregnant with his child. His response was disturbingly callous: “[I] can’t do this” and “Get a abortion lol.” Jordae shared with him that she had an abortion two years prior and regrets it “every day.” Still Edwards pushed her to take over-the-counter pills that would cause a chemical abortion, promising money in return. Later Jordae posted a screenshot of a $100,000 wire transfer from him, along with his demand to see video of her taking the pills. After she sent him the video, he grew cold to Jordae and said he’d only communicate through his lawyer.

The exchange is astonishing, but perhaps it should not be surprising. The pro-abortion movement claims to liberate women, yet ready access to abortion only empowers men who demand consequence-free sex. This is the tragic narrative of thousands of women around the country. According to one report, 64 percent of women who choose abortion do so as a result of coercion, often by the father.

When their encounter became public, Anthony Edwards released a statement, “I made comments in the heat of a moment that are not me, and that are not aligned with what I believe and who I want to be as a man. All women should be supported and empowered to make their own decisions about their bodies and what is best for them.”

In one sense, the public outcry reveals a good kind of shame still associated with abortion. As John Piper has said, “We know we are killing children.” Yet we should mourn that Edwards only appears to be apologetic for his words and not the actions that resulted in the death of his innocent child. This is not surprising in a culture, especially a sports culture, that often celebrates abortion. When the Supreme Court reversed Roe, the NBA and WNBA commissioners posted a lengthy pro-abortion statement supporting “freedom” and “reproductive healthcare.” The NBA and WNBA often encourage giving to Planned Parenthood.

Christians are right to oppose abortion on demand, despite cultural pressure to back away. And the incident underscores the need to continue to preach the gospel of Jesus, which offers forgiveness and redemption for many young men and young women who choose abortion.

Even as we enjoy Edwards’ athletic accomplishments, let’s pray he finds peace with the Creator who made him and every unborn baby.

I’m Daniel Darling.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.