Atheist Richard Dawkins tweeted some really stupid & horrible things about Down syndrome yesterday. Here is the link if you want to read it. http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-richard-dawkins-choosing-not-to-abort-baby-with-down-syndrome-is-i
I was so upset after reading it, I couldn't stand to think about it. Then I decided I should do SOMETHING. I wrote this letter & sent it to Mr. Dawkins in a facebook message. I know he probably won't ever read it but at least I tried. I did
have to try too! At first all I could think to write was "You're an ass!" but I was able to keep it together & write something a little more constructive I hope. Here it is.
Mr. Dawkins,
I read an article quoting your views on aborting fetuses
diagnosed with Down syndrome. Let me begin by saying I’m proudly the mother of a two year old daughter with Down syndrome as well as a Christian and pro-life supporter. I believe all life is precious & every child deserves to be born. I strongly
believe an unborn child is much more than just a fetus with no feelings. However, that isn’t the point of this letter.
I’d like to address the gross inaccuracies you stated about Down syndrome. I noticed your facebook page is private,
so I’m guessing you’re realizing just how inflammatory your comments are. My family and I have worked very hard to try to raise awareness about Down syndrome. I feel it would be doing my child a disservice not to attempt to set the record straight
when someone makes such inaccurate and hurtful statements.
You stated that not aborting a child with Down syndrome would be immoral. Maybe I don’t understand what you use to gauge what is moral verses immoral. Maybe we just don’t speak
the same language on that issue. The Bible teaches me just the opposite of your statement. What do you base your opinion on?
I understand that you are an educated man. However, Down syndrome is an area where you are obviously lacking. In your comments
on twitter you stated, “Reduce suffering wherever you can.” Down syndrome does not equate to suffering. People with Down syndrome are very capable of living happy, fulfilling lives. They work, many of them marry and they
are all capable of contributing to society. Whatever information you’re basing that statement on is either seriously outdated or just wrong. I assure you my daughter has not “suffered” a day in her life, nor has the rest of our family “suffered”
since having her. That is just absurd.
You also tweeted “Apparently I'm a horrid monster for recommending WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS to the great majority of Down syndrome fetuses. They are aborted.”
Just because it actually happens doesn’t mean it is right to recommend something. Millions of children are starving every day. Would it make me a monster to recommend it? Yes!
The most infuriating statement you tweeted referred to people with
autism saying they “have a great deal to contribute, Maybe even an enhanced ability in some respects. [Down Syndrome] not enhanced." What do you consider abilities? My daughter may not ever have
enhanced abilities in math or science (although I’m not ruling it out) but has enhanced abilities in so many other areas. Her social abilities have far exceeded those of any “typical” person I’ve ever met. She has the ability to bring
happiness to anyone in her presence. She also has had the ability to reach millions of people in raising awareness about Down syndrome. That’s something I could never have done without her special “ability” to touch people. Perhaps you have
spent too much time studying and not enough time experiencing. Abilities and life in general are about much more than academics. Not every ability can be assigned a percentage or be scientifically measured.
I hope someday you have the privilege of spending
time with someone who has Down syndrome and can witness firsthand how inaccurate your comments were. My daughter doesn’t have one quality that the world would be better off without. Visit her facebook page, Life With Landree or www.lifewithlandree.simplesite.com
and see for yourself.
Mr. Dawkins, you have a large platform to reach people. I encourage you to use it wisely.
Sincerely,
Deborah Brooks (Landree's Mom)