I want to know how to respond to abortion. I want to care for those who decide to keep their babies ... but whenever I think about it I have one overwhelming response: anger. I get so angry that I can't think rationally.
I am angry at the women who terminate their children. I'm angry at the fathers who are so often absent and just as culpable (if not more so). I'm angry at the medical workers who don't take a stand and kill, cut up, suck out and dispose of these little ones. I'm angry at the law that turns a blind eye to so much illegal activity. I'm angry at the politicians who do not protect the rights of the unborn. I'm angry at christian leaders who say nothing. I even get angry at Christian leaders who speak on the topic but couch it only in terms of women's rights and do not call it for what it is. I even find myself angry at the video that is doing the rounds about free money for new lives because it couches abortion in terms of a subjective harm on the mothers. But over all this I'm angry at myself for not doing enough. On this topic I have nothing else in me but anger.
This doesn't seem right. But I want to know - should I be angry? Is it wrong to be so angry? Because if it is I need to stop being so infuriated. But at the moment I can't help it.
PS. I think that fathers, mothers and health professionals who have been involved in abortion can find complete forgiveness and a new start in Christ (just like every other sinner) as many have done as they confess their failure before God. His arms are welcoming to everyone who wants to come home to him.
PPS. There is sin in my life that (if I'm honest) I'm not angry with at all. Is that just hypocrisy? Maybe it is.
11 comments:
I haven't watched that new video (yet), but on all your other points, I feel the exact same emotion.
The selfishness, and self-justification and the euphemisms used instead of calling this for what it is: killing an unborn child. What makes me even more angry are the people who are fully aware they are killing a child, and still go ahead with it.
Argh! I can feel myself getting angry just thinking about abortion. I've had to un-grit my teeth and take some deep breaths.
What can we do?
Hi Rodeo!!! I actually think what the video is pushing for is really good. I think it is pushing for some real action and Ruth and I are considering whether or not to support it. Whatever we do - we probably will invest that money into some project on the issue.
Like you I find the issue too painful to think about. I must admit I do find comfort in God and in his gospel. He will make all things new and this horrible old order of things will pass away.
I find that I have only three emotions on this issue: nothing (when I don't think about it); extreme anger (when I think about the injustice; and tears of sadness and love (when I speak to someone who is sorry about the abortion that they had).
Thanks AB,
Can I just point out that it's great that you are posting again. God has blessed you with great insight.
God bless.
It appears you are in Australia so greetings from our country the USA and really, the USA could be heading in a more evil direction concerning abortion. So much so, that I've almost thought of moving to a country that respects life more. Wikipedia has articles on a number of countries and abortion and some are much worse than others like the USA. And then, for example, Ireland and Poland are much more pro-life but even countries like Holland if I remember correctly, required a woman to wait five days and Germany requires a woman to get counseling and has other restrictions.
I'll keep an eye on your blog. I live in Minnesota, we have many Hmong from Southeast Asia. I believe I've read Australia has many as well. I use to work in a school with many Hmong. Good experience.
Hi Tom. It's good to hear from you.
What I can't understand is why people don't see abortion as murder - it doesn't matter what stage the foetus is in - human life is being destroyed. People are outraged when someone is murdered because their life is cut short - surely a baby never being able to take a breath, or learn to walk, or go to school means that its life is cut short too!
I can almost understand women who are raped and become pregnant who want an abortion. But then I think about the child who has done nothing wrong but gets killed in the process. That's not right. I think adoption is a much better way to solve an unwanted pregnancy, especially because there are so many people who cannot become pregnant, yet desperately want to start a family.
Andrew, I think you are right to be angry - I only wish there were more people like you in parliament and hospitals and abortion clinics.
What about being angry at the many men who coerce the women in their lives to have an abortion? That makes me mad...
Tim, I think Andrew covered this with "I'm angry at the fathers who are so often absent and just as culpable (if not more so). "
The idea that men are so interested in sex that they are willing to kill any potential children is a horrid symptom of a culture entirely defined by "What can I get for me? Right now!"
Those men are spineless fiends.
No, I'm talking about men who are not absent, but coerce their wives/girlfriends into having abortions because a child would be inconvenient. Too often we assume that it's the woman's choice, but many times it's the man behind it all.
Hi Tim and Rodeo,
I think you are both right. Many women are coerced into having an abortion and yet many are also not. Women are often one of the victims - but I think what I am reacting to is that some Christians talk about them as if they are the real victims in the abortion, the real losers.
They are one of the losers, one of the victims - but we mustn't forget the baby ... but in this statement I'll hasten to add we must not forget the mums and dads also.
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