In the second century, a Christian apologist tried to explain to pagans what made Christians so different.
He said: “Like others, they marry and have children, but they do not destroy their offspring.”
Strange indeed.
It took a few centuries before Christians acquired any political influence in the Roman empire, but when they did, they passed laws outlawing infanticide (in AD 374).
Then they passed laws granting government aid to poor families so they would not be tempted to abandon them or expose them.
Yet infanticide was ended only when the clergy finally persuaded parents to give up their babies at the door of the church instead — which gave rise to the first orphanages.
Today Western societies are reversing course – we’re seeing an increase in abortion and infanticide.
We are losing the mindset that regards children as persons made in God’s image, to be valued and cherished in their own right.