Thou Shalt Not Murder: A Call for the Abolition of Abortion
On January 7, 2025, Norman Harold Patterson Jr. of the Connecticut Foundation to Abolish Abortion stood boldly at the Connecticut Legislative Building, proclaiming the Word of God. He read the Ten Commandments and preached powerfully on "Thou shalt not murder!"
Introduction:
Good afternoon, my name is Norman Harold Patterson Jr., the Director and Founder of the Connecticut Foundation to Abolish Abortion. Today, I stand before you not as a pro-lifer but as an abolitionist. There is a significant difference between the two. While the pro-life movement often compromises with the culture of death—allowing for exceptions and regulations that perpetuate the murder of innocent babies in the womb—we stand on the Word of God, demanding the total abolition of abortion without exception.
Let us begin with the foundation of our faith: the Word of God. In Exodus 20, we are given the Ten Commandments, which include the unambiguous command: “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20:13). This divine law is not open to compromise or negotiation. It is the eternal standard of God’s justice, and it applies to every human being, born and preborn.
The Holiness of God and the Sanctity of Life
God is holy, righteous, and just. His Word declares that every human being is created in His image (Genesis 1:27). From the moment of fertilization, a human being bears the imago Dei—the image of God—and is deserving of equal justice and protection under the law. Yet, in Connecticut and across America, we have legalized the murder of the most innocent and vulnerable among us.
This is not merely a legal or political issue; it is a moral and spiritual crisis. The Bible calls this what it is—murder. And murder is explicitly condemned by God.
The Failure of the Pro-Life Movement
The pro-life movement has failed to address the sin of abortion with the urgency and clarity it demands. By compromising with the culture—allowing for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or arbitrary developmental milestones—it perpetuates the very evil it claims to oppose. Pro-life laws often give special murder rights to women, exempting them from accountability for the lives of their children.
This is not justice. Justice demands equal protection under the law for all human beings, including those in the womb. Justice demands that we call sin by its name and refuse to make deals with evil.
A Call to Repentance
God’s Word is clear: “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction” (Proverbs 31:8). The Church in Connecticut has largely remained silent, failing to speak up for the voiceless and act against the injustice of abortion.
Francis Schaeffer once said, “Every abortion clinic should have a sign in front of it that reads, ‘Open by permission of the church.’” This devastating indictment reveals the truth: abortion persists because the Church has failed to act. Pastors remain behind their pulpits, congregations stay within the walls of their buildings, and the blood of innocent babies continues to flow in our streets.
God’s Judgment and Our Responsibility
The judgment of God is upon us. We see it in the disintegration of our nation, the breakdown of the family, and the moral confusion of our society. As long as we allow the slaughter of innocent children, we cannot expect God’s blessing.
The consequences of this bloodshed are far-reaching. Just as the Civil War was a consequence of America’s sin of slavery, we are already experiencing the consequences of the sin of abortion. God will not be mocked.
The Call to Abolition
As abolitionists, we reject incrementalism. We demand the total and immediate abolition of abortion. No exceptions. No compromises. Abortion is murder, and it must be treated as such under the law.
This is not merely a political position; it is a biblical mandate. The Church must rise up, repent, and proclaim the truth of God’s Word. Pastors must lead their congregations in this fight, calling for justice and refusing to be silent in the face of such evil.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Ultimately, the only hope for Connecticut and for America is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only Christ can save us from the holiness and justice of God. We must repent of our sins, turn to Him in faith, and follow His commands.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Conclusion
Abortion must be abolished. It is a violation of God’s law and an affront to His holiness. The time for compromise is over. The time for silence is over. It is time for the Church to rise up, proclaim the truth, and demand justice for the preborn.
May God grant us the courage to stand boldly, the wisdom to speak truth, and the grace to see hearts and minds transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory. Amen.
Norman Harold Patterson Jr.
Director, Connecticut Foundation to Abolish Abortion