Catherine, Cyclists, and the Sanctity of Life

Have you noticed what wide berths drivers give cyclists when passing? Even if a car is approaching on the other side of the road, a driver will cross the yellow line to go around the bicycle. This isn't strictly necessary. Cyclists hug the edge of the road and don't take up much space. They would probably be safe if drivers gave them half as much space.

I'd never risk it, though. Going over the yellow line to pass them is a precaution I always take, just to be on the safe side. Compared to my car, a person on a bike is small and fragile. One tap from a vehicle, even if it's moving relatively slowly, could take a cyclists life. The danger is too great, the consequences too severe to risk anything less than great caution. I'm concerned not only for the cyclist's safety, but also with the guilt and punishment I'd be subject to for causing injury or taking the life of another person.

The care people exercise in passing cyclists stands in stark contrast to our society's disregard for unborn children. Both are fragile and vulnerable, yet I wonder how many cautious drivers I've observed support "a woman's right to choose"?

What merits this juxtaposition between caution and disregard for life? Independence versus dependence on another life? Some special status incurred in passing the birth canal? Past life experience as opposed to future life experience? Is it simply the absence of law protecting the unborn versus the impending gavel, the possibility of manslaughter?

I heard a terrible, wonderful story this weekend. I occasionally run into the mother of an old friend who gives me updates on how her daughter is doing. Some of you might remember meeting Catherine and hanging out with her at the Brown's. She's married now and is expecting a baby girl. The baby was diagnosed with a disease that makes bones brittle. Ultrasounds showed that the baby broke 3 bones in 5 months, just moving inutero.

Five doctors who were advising Catherine and her husband met with them and told them they ought to abort the baby. They didn't gently suggest abortion, they pressed the couple to do it, saying there was no sensible alternative. The baby would not have a normal life, Catherine and her husband would not have a normal life. One of the doctors said his son has special needs and his wife has not had a life in twelve years.

Catherine and Jason determined to have their child. They asked people to pray. God heard. Tests show that the disease is gone and the latest ultrasound shows no broken bones. The medical professionals say it was a misdiagnosis. The gavel will probably never fall on those doctors' actions, but I believe in the end they will have to answer to the Judge. Personally, I'd rather face a charge of manslaughter.