How big is the abortion ban decision?

Though it depends on who you ask, both sides of the battle see it as earth-shaking.

Christians have overwhelmingly been voicing their satisfaction with the recent ruling by the Supreme Court which upheld a 2003 law banning the controversial partial-birth abortion.

The Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was reinforced by a 5-4 vote on Wednesday, with judges explaining that its restriction does not violate a woman’s right to abortion.

And yet, hearing the comments of abortion activists in news coverage after the ruling, you’d think Roe had been struck down and banished from the land.

This is, however, the first time the Supreme Court has banned any abortion procedure, which is part of its enormous significance.

“I am pleased that the Supreme Court upheld a law that prohibits the abhorrent procedure of partial-birth abortion,” said President George W. Bush following the ruling. “Today’s decision affirms that the Constitution does not stand in the way of the people’s representatives enacting laws reflecting the compassion and humanity of America. The partial-birth abortion ban, which an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress passed and I signed into law, represents a commitment to building a culture of life in America.”

The ruling has also encouraged Christians who feel that it may lead to states placing more restrictions on abortions. They feel that it is the first critical step toward possible abolishment of the practice.

“With today’s Supreme Court decision, it is just a matter of time before the infamous Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 will also be struck down by the court,” explained Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition of America (CCA), in a statement. “This is a very historic decision and Christian Coalition of America commends Chief Justice Roberts and Associate Justices Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, and Alito (the five judges who voted to uphold the ban).”

Several abortion rights groups had expressed their opposition to banning the procedure, because they have asserted that it can sometimes be the safest alternative for women. They also argued that it could threaten most abortions after 12 weeks in pregnancy.

Smokescreen arguments.

However, those in favor of the ban pointed to its brutality.

The procedure involves partially removing the fetus intact from the patient’s uterus. This is then followed by crushing or cutting the skull of the fetus, where then the doctor suctions out the baby’s brain.

The court wrote the following in response to their ruling: “In a decision so fraught with emotional consequence, some doctors may prefer not to disclose precise details of the means that will be used…It is self-evident that a mother who comes to regret her choice to abort must struggle with grief more anguished and sorrow more profound when she learns, only after the event, what she once did not know: that she allowed a doctor to pierce the skull and vacuum the fast-developing brain of her unborn child…”

Several Christians have applauded the way in which the Supreme Court handled the issue, noting that the issue of abortion is complex, and there should not be a universal ruling allowing all types of abortion to occur.

It’s the first high court step in restoring some order to very badly decided law over three decades ago. There’s new order in the court.