Can There Be “Pro-Choice” Christians?

All life is precious to God.

I wrote the following post on September 10, 2012.

Given the disturbing and heartbreaking recent videos which expose Planned Parenthood for the evil that it is committing, I urge you to contact your state representative and ask them to join the movement to defund this murderous organization. In the United States, a half a billion tax dollars go to fund this genocide each year.

We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Sign the petition to remove your tax dollars from supporting Planned Parenthood here.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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September 2012
This may not be a very popular post, but I feel the need to write about this as I am hearing so many Christians are unwilling to stand for life.  It breaks my heart, and I KNOW it breaks God’s heart.

A gal emailed me today about the abortion thread on my wall. The familiar argument of the church being passionate about the unborn but failing to care for the BORN is a poor excuse for murder.

You know, I have heard this argument before and honestly it rings very hollow to me, because for as imperfect as the church is, it does a good job of reaching out to the “already born”. There are gazillions of programs available through the church and other Christian ministries that reach everyone from the homeless to the prostitute to drug addicted … every.single.day. We DO stand up for the already born. Many Christians would take a child that is not their own… I can think of many off the top of my head and I bet you could, too.

Update: Below is the third video released that shows the horror that is happening to unborn Americans.

 

The only reason we kill our unborn is because we are selfish. We kill the unborn because they cannot speak for themselves. It’s easier to make the baby “go away” in the culture we live in than it is to bring it into the world and give it up for adoption. What’s REALLY sad about that is that this society does not look down on unwed mothers like it used to and we still persist in killing our unborn!

We have the most pro-abortion president in American history right now … one that would allow me to partially give birth to my child before killing it. As a Christian, I cannot stand by in silence when God has made it ABUNDANTLY clear how He feels on the issue of life.

Even in the case of rape/incest, how does KILLING one of the innocent party make anything better? Surely we would not kill a living mother in favor of her unborn child .. and why? Because we can SEE, HEAR, and FEEL the mother. It makes it harder to murder someone once they’re born. Surely we would cry out in defense of an innocent being murdered on the streets in front of our eyes! How “sterile” we have made the whole process of abortion, right down to washing our hands of the whole messy discussion. Christians! Stand for righteousness! Do not be afraid!

I’m reading Deitrich Bonhoeffer right now — the evil that he witnessed is not much unlike the evil we are allowing right now in this nation. We will be judged for turning a blind eye to the murder of innocent. Like Noah, I want to be found righteous in God’s eyes. No matter what the culture says, we know the truth. We will be held accountable.

Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Defund Planned Parenthood. Every life matters.

 

Heidi St John Guide to Daylight

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About Heidi St. John

Heidi has been married to her husband Jay since 1989. Together they have seven children and three grandchildren! The St. Johns homeschooled their kids all the way through high school. Heidi is the the author of seven books, host of the popular podcast "Off the Bench," and the founder of MomStrong International, an online community of women learning God's Word and how to apply it to every day life. She and her husband Jay are also the founders of Firmly Planted Family and the Firmly Planted Homeschool Resource Center, located in Vancouver, Washington.

76 thoughts on “Can There Be “Pro-Choice” Christians?

  1. Tova

    I agree it is a poor defense. I have countered it with this one. I do not know what the solution to hunger and homelessness is. I am admittedly unwilling to take all of them into my home and personally feed all the needy. Is this then justification to shoot them? If I cant take care of them then I cant speak out that they have a right to live? It is no more ridiculous to say that you cant be pro-life if you cant adopt all the babies

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  2. Robin

    Well said! I read a saying recently “Abortion does not make you a non-parent, it makes you the parent of a dead child”. That is the reality of the situation, but people don’t want to face the truth!

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  3. Cheryl

    Amen.

    “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

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    1. Jennifer

      While I wholeheartedly agree with you, personally, and even in the case of rape, I would not kill my child, I cannot tell a woman who does not share my belief in God that she is wrong for ending a pregnancy that is a life-long reminder of that event. The Bible tells us that we can handle all things in our life with HIS help. If a woman does not believe and cannot surrender those struggles to Him, I can see how she would feel.

      In addition, we live in a country that is founded on the separation of church and state. Based on that, Biblical principles should not play a role in law making.

      Respectfully…

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      1. heidistjohn Post author

        Thanks for your thoughts, Jennifer. With respect, when DO we get to “impose” our views on others? Seems we do that all the time with respect to many other issues. The only reason we allow abortion is because as a society we have deemed it acceptable. Yet, if we do not stand for the unborn, who will stand for them?

        If our country ever decides that murder is occasionally justified or that rape can sometimes be “understandable” will we then decide to put our conscience aside? We have a moral obligation to defend the most defenseless among us, as they cannot defend themselves.

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      2. Duane

        Jennifer, correct me if I’m wrong, but what I hear you saying is that you wouldn’t kill an innocent human being, but you support a woman’s right to choose to kill an innocent human being.

        Could you tell a woman that it is wrong to kill her toddler because he reminds her of a tragic event?

        That is not what separation of church and state are about.
        Laws are based on morals, there is no escaping that. The question is who’s morals are they going to be based on. Just because they are biblical doesn’t mean they can’t be implemented into laws (ie. murder, theft, etc.).

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          1. Paula

            My mom was raped and got pregnant, and that was me. Was I a reminder of the rape her whole life? Did I make her think about what happened that awful day? NEVER. Don’t judge if you haven’t been in this situation Jennifer, it’s very very different. My mom, who lives very close to the Lord, realized right off the bat that abortion = murder, and there is NO exception for this. God wove me inside of her womb, so who was she to kill that off? She also realized that a huge part of how we humans are is because of how we are raised. I was also at 50% of her! She never for a minute considered aborting me. And we’ve had an amazing life together and she kept praising God for receiving such a beautiful daughter from Him, no matter how it happened! He works everything out for the good for those who love him!!!

      3. Crystal

        Separation of church and state means the government can not impose a set of beliefs upon the people. They can’t tell us what to believe or how to worship.

        It has nothing to do with laws being created from te basis of a belief system. The country was founded on Christian principles and I’m sure our founding fathers would e ashamed of much of what is going on today.

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        1. heidistjohn Post author

          We impose our “beliefs” on others all the time, Crystal. We do it every day when we decided court cases based on right and wrong. Abortion is a case of right and wrong. No different.

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      4. Kristine

        Our country was NOT founded on the separation of church and state. No where in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution do those words exist. The phrase “thus building a wall of separation between Church & State”, was used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter he wrote to the Danbury Baptists. I’ll include a link to that letter at the end of my comments.

        Churches, like everyone else, not only have a constitutional right, but a duty to speak out about important issues in the public square. There is a growing movement in America to silence churches and people of faith, denying them the fundamental right to speak out about public issues. Shrouded in the widely misunderstood concept of “separation of church and state,” secular powers confine religious viewpoints to the four walls of the church. I believe this a profoundly troubling development, that is as un-American as it is unconstitutional.

        Additionally the First Amendment of the US Constitution provides that government shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

        Many people mistakenly believe that “separation of church and state” is a key part of the US Constitution. It isn’t. The words are not found anywhere in either the Declaration of Independence, or the body of the Constitution itself, which I’ve already stated. The Media knows this, elected officials that have read the constitution know this, but yet it’s used to intimidate and silence anyone who speaks out about a social issue who just happens to be religious. Drives me nuts! STOP spreading the misinformation about The Separation of Church & State. The church is supposed to be able to stick their noses into the business of the state, not the other way around.

        Here is the letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Baptists of Danbury: http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html
        This letter was written in 1802 as a response to a letter the Danbury Baptists wrote to Thomas Jefferson in October of 1801.

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      5. Nancy

        With all due respect to your post, please know that the United States of America was NOT founded on separation of government and religion. You have believed a lie of Secular Humanists (which is also a religion). All laws and judgement are based on morality. WHOSE morality it will be based on is in question. Since ROE v. WADE, the Secular Humanists are setting the nation’s moral standard regarding Abortion. Please rethink and seek the Lord on this.

        By the way, when someone DEMANDS an abortion, why doesn’t the issue of the DR and nurse ever get discussed? One can’t just “have an abortion” like ordering a pizza. Other people’s consciences and souls must be brought to an unspeakable level of depravity to make the “problem” pregnancy go away. There is no “easy” method of killing a human being, whether born or unborn. All forms of Abortion are forms of TORTURE. This country doesn’t want water boarding, but allows salt saline to burn to death an innocent baby. This president wants to close gizmo but voted to allow a partially born babies brain to be pierced and sucked out of the skull before one breath could be breathed.

        Whose morality do we want ruling this great land?
        God bless the born and unborn.

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  4. Melissa

    Thank you for this. It is so frustrating to me how Christians justify excepting the evils of our society. As if by some mysterious way God would change His view on an issue because our society now deems it ok. I was just reading a debate on the issue of making spanking illegal. All I could think was sure, it’s ok for a mother to murder an inconvenient baby, but a mother can not discipline her child once it’s born. Our only answer is come quickly Lord Jesus!

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  5. Virginia

    As an abortion “survivor” (if you want to call it that), I agree whole heartedly with MOST of your comments.

    Truth is, I do believe that some in our society (especially in the Christian arena) do indeed look down on unwed mothers… and in doing so, they condone abortion…that’s why pro abortionists in the Christian arena even exist!! At least that was the case in my own situation.

    I was 14 years old when I became pregnant. My own “Christian” mother took me to the planned parenthood clinic and they convinced me that the baby I was carrying was nothing but “tissue” and it would be like “nothing ever happened”. They were so very wrong. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t grieve over my child. Can you remember when you were 14 years old? I was just a child.. scared to death and Satan obviously had me in his grip. The last thing these young girls need is for someone to tell them their baby is a ’tissue’ and convince them that life will be back to normal when it’s over. Part of me died that day, both my baby and part of my soul. Think of your own daughters.

    I feel that there are plenty of voices for the unborn (and should be), but very few voices for the Mom’s of the unborn. Part of the solution is to reach out to the mothers of these children and educate them about abortion.

    You know, looking back, it’s pretty ironic that my (unsaved) father was the one that said “You don’t have to do this, I will support you in whatever decision you make.” (so much for the ‘religious’ example)

    I assume by the book’s author you are reading about the crimes against the Jewish people in Germany. Yes, the society in which we live and the principles behind aborting unborn babies are no different that those of Nazi Germany who allowed the destruction of millions of innocent Jewish people. It disturbs me that those who are pro-abortion in our government are allowed to continue this deception.

    Also, the fact that American citizens often blame this horrible crime of killing babies on the young girls who are carrying the babies is extremely saddening. These girls are children themselves, scared children who are very vulnerable and buy into the ‘quick fix’the government funded clinics offer. They meet a guy who promises them the moon who often times take off before the girl even realizes she is pregnant. Then she is left with the guilt and shame and someone smiling back at her with a quick “painless” solution… People rarely ever consider that part of it, do they?

    I really think that some folks either do not know, or do not WANT to know that it is their tax dollars (yours and mine as well) that continue to fund these horrific crimes against both the unborn AND their Mothers.

    Seriously, do you think people even comprehend that their own money is going to pay planned parenthood to deceive thousands of young girls into murdering their own babies everyday? And if you and I are so against this.. why are we not doing anything about it? Why do we continue to elect these idiots into our government? Why do we keep saying “protect the unborn” without going deeper and saying “reach out to mothers of the unborn, before they make the unborn”?

    APATHY.

    That’s why.

    So many years “Christians” have and continue to sit on our behinds and just buy into the LOVE ONE ANOTHER or MINISTER TO THOSE WITHIN OUR OWN FOUR WALLS theology.. Why don’t we get out and DO SOMETHING about this…? What are YOU going to do Busy Homeschool Mom? What are YOU going to do readers of the Busy Homeschool Mom’s blog?

    Please, as you are considering the unborn, consider their mothers’ as well. Reach out to these young girls who are pregnant before they kill their children and suffer a life time of remorse, pain and regret! At least say a prayer everyday for these precious young mothers… (who, if they were like me were just searching for God’s love in the first place).

    Before we judge others, we need to pray for them. Why not let God be the ultimate Judge these young girls, and just love them with the Love of Christ?

    Thank God for His forgiveness of ALL our sins… from the little ‘white lies’ to the big sins… all are the same in God’s eyes.

    Reply
    1. heidistjohn Post author

      Thank you for your thoughts, Virginia. Wow. I’m sorry for the pain you are carrying. I agree we all need to do something … the first thing is to stop being SILENT. I’ve been volunteering for CPC’s off and on for years and currently run a non-profit organization for homeschooling families. Surely everyone can do something—the least we can do is speak up.

      I totally agree that we need to love the mothers of these precious babies. To truly defend LIFE, we must reach both.

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  6. Virginia

    One more thought..lest we say we wouldn’t do the same…. (I mean.. which sin has God forgiven you for lately?)

    “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
    I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

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  7. Chantel

    Thank you so much for sharing this! This is an issue very close to my heart. I pray that those who have suffered through abortion find healing in the Lord. I pray that more Christians will stand firm in their faith and offer loving hope to women in crisis pregnancy and help them choose life for their precious babies.

    I am blessed to work with a nonprofit organization called 40 Days for Life. The mission of 40 Days for Life is to end abortion through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. The next campaign will be starting in 314 locations world wide September 26 – November 4. You can find the location nearest you by visiting http://www.40DaysforLife.com and clicking on “Locations.”

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  8. Rachel

    THANK YOU for this post! It grieves me how many Christians have bought the lie of Moral Relativism: that they’re not supposed to speak out for truth and righteousness because it’s “imposing” on others. Satan is “imposing” HIS values on our nation…do they think Jesus would want us to just lay down and surrender while the innocent are being butchered?

    If a mother cannot afford a child, is it OK for her to strangle it at a week old? Wouldn’t that be justifiably called “murder”? The reality is, the only difference between a week-old baby and a baby in the womb is their location. Biologically, they are the same, just different ages. It is just as much murder to kill INSIDE the womb as it is OUTSIDE. No circumstance can justify killing an innocent baby, regardless of location. Women and children deserve better than abortion.

    Biblically, murder is NEVER the answer and is NEVER justified. I view abortion clinics as the modern version of Hitler’s gas chambers, ushering millions to their deaths while the public looks the other way and says, “that’s not the biggest issue for me, and I agree with Hitler on other policy issues.” Somehow I get the feeling God wouldn’t agree. But since the church is largely silent on this issue, it doesn’t surprise me that many Christians don’t see it that way.

    I HIGHLY recommend reading “Myths, Lies, & Half-Truths: How Misreading the Bible Neutralizes Christians” by Gary DeMar.

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  9. Conway85

    Thank you, this is a very good article and well written. Thanks for all your other blogs too. They’re very encouraging.

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  10. Jenny Wilkinson

    I was wondering what you thought about the vaccines that are made using cells from aborted fetuses? I struggle with this. I want to protect my children but at what expense? Is it morally wrong to vaccinate when aborted babies are used in the manufacturing process?

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    1. heidistjohn Post author

      Boy, Jenny, I don’t know enough about this to comment … meaning I don’t know which vaccines use them or not … or which sites are “credible”. We vaccinate our kids … but if I knew for sure they were using aborted fetus cells I would not be able to use those vaccines. 🙁 Uggh! Thanks for your post.

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      1. Diana

        Heidi – just a note that yes, it is true that many vaccines use cell lines from aborted babies to grow the vaccines – this is one of many reasons why we do not vaccinate. If you look on package ingredient lists, you will see “human diploid cells” included, and this is what that is.

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        1. Lisa

          Hmmmm. I need to look into this. Most childhood vaccines have been around since before Roe v. Wade. If they are indeed now using cells from aborted babies, why couldn’t they just make them the old way?

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  11. Heidi

    I also recently finished the Bonhoeffer biography- such a powerful book. And wanted to suggest the following article on abortion &rape written recently by Judge Napolitano. murder is murder any way you slice it, and the nazis were the only group in recent history to slaughter and kill children for the crimes of their fathers. Until the roe vs. wade decision, that is. I know many women who have had abortions and not one of them is glad for the life they were responsible for ending. I also know a handful of women who had their unexpected babies, and while life is different than they had planned, not a single one regrets having made the difficult decision to keep the child. And I had the honor of also meeting a woman who was raped and not only had the baby, but also kept the boy to raise as her own. Certainly not what she had planned for her life but her son is a living testimony to the sanctity of life.

    http://townhall.com/columnists/judgeandrewnapolitano/2012/08/23/abortion_and_rape/page/full/

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  12. Andre

    Biblical fact checking is as important as political fact checking. You would be surprised to know that contentious views about abortion are not conveyed in scripture. In fact, scripture defuses the abortion debate. What the Bible really says about abortion has never been included in the debate. If Christians are kept in the dark concerning scriptural truth, arguments over abortion will continue to worsen and persist while the message of God’s love and salvation is set aside. The following article is based on scriptural facts about abortion not religious faction and fiction.

     

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    1. heidistjohn Post author

      Andre, I could not disagree with you more. When you say “Biblical fact” checking, you are implying that the pro-life argument is not a biblical argument.

      Many people, sadly including many Christians, think abortion is a difficult and controversial issue. In reality, there is no difficulty or controversy at all—providing we get our information from the Bible itself.

      There are two main issues to consider:

      Is the unborn child (“fetus”) a human being?

      If so, is it ever acceptable to kill an unborn human being?

      The answer to both questions is found in the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis.

      “…and Rebekah his [Isaac’s] wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her…” (Genesis 25:21-22).

      Note that Rebekah’s unborn twins, Jacob and Esau, are referred to as “children” (the Hebrew word used, banim, plural of ben), commonly refers to children after birth, and often has a more specific meaning “sons.”

      The New Testament uses the usual Greek word for baby, brephos, to refer to the unborn John the Baptist, who “leaped in her [Elizabeth’s] womb” because of the presence of the unborn Christ (Luke 1:41-44).

      Unborn babies are not disposable clumps of tissue, despite the claims of many pro-abortionists. And they are always human right from fertilization, because all the DNA coding needed to build each individual’s physical features is there in the fertilized egg.

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    2. Jubilee mama

      Molech the god of child sacrifice, Lev. 18:21 says, “Neither shall you give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.” (See also Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; 2 Kings. 23:10; Jer. 32:35).

      Seems pretty clear to me.

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  13. Joanne

    Surely we would not kill a living mother in favor of her unborn child .. and why? Because we can SEE, HEAR, and FEEL the mother. It makes it harder to murder someone once they’re born. Surely we would cry out in defense of an innocent being murdered on the streets in front of our eyes! How “sterile” we have made the whole process of abortion, right down to washing our hands of the whole messy discussion. Christians! Stand for righteousness! Do not be afraid!

    I want to address this portion of your blog. Most pro-life people do not realize that there are many pro-lifers who would actually go ahead and make the law such that it would infact take the life of the mother. I know that this passage was specifically referring to rape/incest. However, many pro-life people (I used to be strongly pro-life/now I am somewhat softer).

    Abortion #’s they gather include miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. How many of you are aware of this? I had 4 miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy prior to having one live birth. I have been treated deplorably by many medical personel. I asked for a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist and was told flat out by the doctor he would not give such a referral to a woman who has aborted 5 babies. After nearly dying from ectopic pregnancy I was told by “Christian friends” that I should not have aborted the baby and that if I had had stronger faith I would have had the baby. The nurse that discharged me home documented that I had refused a blood transfusion so I was literally sent home with a critical low blood count. I was not strong enough to walk alone or dress myself. Then I had to deal with well meaning “Christian” pro-lifers accusing me of aborting my baby which I desparately wanted.

    So, I am still pro-life but will not associate with the group. I am a Christian but I am not sure the numbers are as horrific as I once thought seeing as miscarriages are included.

    And please folks, in your ignorance don’t make someone’s suffering worse than it already is.

    Reply
    1. heidistjohn Post author

      Hi Joanne, thank you for your reply. It sounds to me like you had a terrible experience after miscarriage. I am sorry for that 🙁 as it does not seem Christ-like or even just. Those babies that we discard so casually in this culture do have a voice. It’s just not their own voice. If we don’t speak for them, no one will.

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    2. Karridi

      Joanne
      I also had 5 miscarriages. But you know, those made me value life all that much more. I am sorry you had a church group that hurt you when they should have been there for you.When you needed them the most, they condemned you instead. I would like to apologize on behalf of those people who just didn’t understand, and who did not show grace and compassion.

      I would like to point out that not all miscarriages will go into abortion numbers. I believe only the ones that include a D&C would be added in. 3 of my 5 miscarriages did not require a D&C. My second miscarriage was not a complete miscarriage and they had to do a D&C after. The second D&C I had, I regret! I wish I had waited for things to happen on their own, but I been though enough and wanted to get it over with. If I could do it over again, I would have waited and let things happen naturally. There was no heartbeat, but that is still one of the biggest regrets of my life.

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  14. Mel

    You know, I whole-heartedly agree with pro-lifers except for the fact that you want the government to change laws for your personal beliefs. That is inherently wrong and dangerous. Most people don’t realize what they’re saying. You want abortion to be illegal. So, what should the sentence be for a woman who gets an illegal abortion? You want a poor raped teenage (or younger) girl to go to prison because she had an illegal abortion? That’s not Christian or forgiving. I understand your passion but you’re going about changing things the wrong way. Governmental interference is never the answer. That’s why church and state are separate.

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    1. heidistjohn Post author

      Mel, I appreciate your comments. I disagree with you based on one thing: at the end of the day, we are ALL making moral decisions. We are talking about the lives of millions of unborn babies. I believe them to be children who are being murdered every day in this nation. I would fight for them to live in the same way I would fight Nazi Germany for killing innocent men, women and children.

      It’s tragic when a woman is raped—teenage or grown. But killing her unborn baby is not a solution. It will not erase what happened to her. Many women who have had this horrible thing happen to them and who have gone on to have their babies tell stories of redemption and healing. Taking the baby’s life is not the answer to rape.

      In all honesty, less than 2% of abortions in this country happen because of rape or life of the mother. Most are for convenience. And that’s tragic.

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      1. Mel

        Heidi, I understand what you’re saying and I agree that yes, it’s murder and yes, it’s tragic. But you’re missing the point. Making it illegal will not solve the problem. Don’t you remember back in the seventies when women had unwanted pregnancies, they threw themselves down stairs or used coat hangers? Or visited illegal abortion clinics and often died themselves. I recently read a statistic that 65% of women who get abortions are Christians. There’s something wrong with our culture. I whole-heartedly agree that people need to change their thinking on whether or not abortion is murder because it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa4eRki7BFE

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      2. Mel

        Heidi, I understand what you’re saying and I agree that yes, it’s murder and yes, it’s tragic. But you’re missing the point. Making it illegal will not solve the problem. Don’t you remember back in the seventies when women had unwanted pregnancies, they threw themselves down stairs or used coat hangers? Or visited illegal abortion clinics and often died themselves. There’s something wrong with our culture. I whole-heartedly agree that people need to change their thinking on whether or not abortion is murder because it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa4eRki7BFE

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    2. Karridi

      We live in a society of victims, who are too scared to do the hard work that healing takes. I have survived sexual abuse and am a stronger person from it. Those scars are healed and no longer hold any pain for me.
      I believe that ALL babies are a blessing and have a purpose. The baby that is a result of a rape, might be the best tool to help the mother through the difficult time. A blessing from a tragic event. Something that will keep the mother from pushing it aside and forces her to deal with what happened to her.
      Would it not be better to help a rape victim find healing and a blessing from what happened to her, instead of adding another tragedy and point of guilt for her.
      Having the baby would make those around the mother, also have to deal with the reality of what happened to her. And those around her would likely be there for her, more than if she didn’t have the baby. So in the end she would likely get more support.
      The easiest thing at the time, is not always the best. The thing that might “protect” someone, that is done in secret, might be the thing that does the most damage.
      Overprotecting children does not do the children good, it does them harm. In the same respect, overprotecting a victim, does not help them become a survivor, it just makes them more of a victim.

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    3. Margaret Wood

      To say that abortion is only a religious issue of morality assumes too much. Are you saying that only people of religion have a moral standard? The basic right to life is not a religious matter, it’s one of universal truth. Ending a life at any stage is either right or wrong – it is not a choice. If ending life is right at one stage then you have no foundation for supporting life in other stages and no rule of law is possible. If you say that ending a life is wrong, now you have the ability to establish laws that protect life. The right to life must be based on endowment, not performance, and this is compatible with our commitment to human equality. Each child that is aborted is a member of the human race, genetically equal to all other humans on the planet. The only difference between an unborn child and a child living outside the womb is one of preference – one child is not wanted because of the inconvenience it represents while the other is desired.

      Again, this is not a religious issue. We either value and protect all human life or we do not. There is no in-between.

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    4. Sara M

      Mel, doesn’t the law currently say murder is a crime? As far as I know, it’s been a crime to murder someone for a long time. So if it’s a crime to murder an already born human, why is it not a crime to murder a defenseless little human that just happens to not be born yet? What does abortion have to do with separation of church & state? Do you think that it’s ok to murder people that are already born? If murder is wrong in general, and that is not an issue of separation of church & state, then abortion should fall under the same guidelines.

      What’s wrong with people not getting pregnant in the first place(obviously I’m not talking about rape because that’s not someone choosing to have sex)? In the majority of cases of abortion, it is not for a person raped, it’s someone that has made the decision to have sex knowing they could get pregnant. If someone cannot raise a child for whatever reason, then they should make sure they don’t create a new life. What happened to personal responsibility?

      I recently read a statistic that said a huge percentage of abortions are repeat abortions, and that a lot of women are using abortion as their form of “birth control”.

      As far as I know, it’s a scientific fact that an unborn baby is alive(approx 18 days after conception their little heart starts beating).

      Reply
  15. Jubilee mama

    It reminds me of the old testament when people would sacrifice their children to the god “molech, and ashera the fertility god” it is the same demon, just with a different name.

    We need to be praying for these mothers daily.

    Reply
  16. Amy

    HERE HERE!!!! A big AMEN to everything you wrote… This is something that breaks my heart over and over and over again 🙁 i can’t bear to think of the silent genocide of this generation and any time i speak out against it i am called bigoted or rude or selfish or stupid or insensitive – pfft!!! It is about BEING sensitive – sensitive to the uncomfortable truth of the issue that babies are being KILLED every day in the name of personal freedom of choice :'( another reason also why we don’t vaccinate – look at the ingredients list.

    Reply
  17. tundraJEM

    I have yet to see anyone call abortion for what it really is. Some of the comments came close, but did not identify it for what it is (aside from the obvious: murder). It is genocide. Look up the statistics of abortions in India. Of the abortions in India, most are gender specific to females. There is a “War on Women” that most Americans, Christian or otherwise, refuse to acknowledge.

    Another term we can use to describe abortion is racism. The founder of Planned Parenthood was also the developer of birth control. Margaret Sanger was an avid supporter of Hitler and felt that through birth control, and later abortion, the proponents of eugenics and population control could weed out the lesser races. The target “market” for Planned Parenthood are African-American neighborhoods and low- or no-income individuals.

    Proponents of abortion often refer to the advances in stem-cell research. Obtaining stem cells from aborted babies is the lazy and easy way. Cheaper too. Adults also have stem cells, but no funding goes toward the research in this area or the utilization of those stem cells.

    I don’t know about other states, but in mine if a woman is pregnant and is assaulted or in an accident and loses her baby due to the injuries sustained, the perpetrator(s) is charged with murder. Yet, also in my state, if a woman is pregnant and wants an abortion, she is free from the same criminal charge. Of course, the argument there is that the woman has a choice. Woman #1 wanted her child, woman #2 did not.

    Our church is a non-denominational, mission and ministry directed church that runs a Pregnancy Resource Center. At this center, they are able to witness to many pregnant mothers about the dangers of abortions (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). They also offer post-abortion counselling! I also sit on the board of directors for our local birth center (at home and out-of-hospital births with certified direct-entry midwives).

    Overall, I wholeheartedly agree with your blog post. I know women that live with the guilt of abortion and women that live with the child conceived through rape. There is even a website, and the URL fails me now, dedicated to the children that have survived botched abortions. The only bright and shining light to this subject is that Jesus can forgive and does forgive. He can make us white as snow. No sin is too great or too small. He can handle them all.

    Reply
    1. heidistjohn Post author

      don’t know about other states, but in mine if a woman is pregnant and is assaulted or in an accident and loses her baby due to the injuries sustained, the perpetrator(s) is charged with murder. Yet, also in my state, if a woman is pregnant and wants an abortion, she is free from the same criminal charge. Of course, the argument there is that the woman has a choice. Woman #1 wanted her child, woman #2 did not.

      This is an excellent point! I spoke about it last week. We need to be speaking to this more in the public square! Thank you.

      Reply
  18. Allison

    Thank you so much for this post! As Christians we need to stand up for all life…old or young. It is so true that we feel the freedom to kill those who can’t speak for themselves. We see it in cases like Terri Schiavo as well.

    Reply
  19. Lena Emo

    I just had this discussion last week at my daughters basketball game with a stranger I had never met before. She used the same excuse, if I don’t believe in abortion then I should be more willing to adopt or foster unwanted children. I always say this back and it amazes me people don’t think of this. Abortion is legal in this country, a woman can go kill her baby at practically any stage of gestation. If this solves the problem of unwanted children, then why has the problem not been solved? Why do people that are unfit or uncaring still have babies? Because abortion makes children not valuable, human life for that matter, any age. If we can dispose of them that quickly and easily, why not just do that? Who cares, I can do it legally, the government backs me, there is no shame in this country, I can do it over and over? Then comes, euthanasia, suicide, born children, the list goes on. There is no value or sanctity of life. I have a child with Down Syndrome, I was faced immense pressure of murdering my child. Unfortunately we live in a culture of death, doctors want to abort. I believe in pro-life no matter the case. Two wrongs don’t make a right in cases of incest, rape or anything else.

    Reply
  20. Lena Emo

    Sorry to add again, but women are told this is a woman’s right Nd it helps women. If that was the case how come 50% of babies killed are women? How can this be good for women? I find the biggest defence of life is to know truth, scripturally. Ray Comforts witnessing techniques works when speaking with a Christian, most believe in the 10 commandments. I ask what about murder? Do you believe in that? Unfortunately, too many born again believers don’t want to get in the debate, they feel inadequate to speak on it. Most liberals who defend it get loud and abnoxious, to defend their point. The best thing is to do it in love, respect, with truth. The woman last week got mad at me and I quietly said, you opened the discussion, not me. We need to come across with scripture to back us up, then it is not on my shoulders, The Lord steps in and ministers.

    Reply
    1. Lydia

      If 50% of babies aborted are girls, it follows that the other 50% are boys. That’s equal numbers… Has an equal effect on men and women… Jeez, think it through. I am pro choice by the way, I stumbled across this blog post.

      Reply
  21. Shonda Ponder

    I shared the link on my facebook page along with this reply:

    As an unwed mother twice, I am thankful that society does not “look down” on single unwed mothers like they used to. However, I believe this article has a lot of merit. I do agree that while we shouldn’t “look down” on unwed mothers, it IS a behavior that should not be condoned.

    Reply
  22. Cassi

    As someone who has experienced the horror of rape….thank you for writing this! I simply cannot come to terms with there being “exceptions”. If abortion is not murder (I believe it is) and okay in cases such as rape, should it not be okay in all circumstances?! If it’s not murder, it’s not murder. Likewise…if it is murder, it is ALWAYS murder. And rape does not justify murder. What about the case of an abusive spouse/significant other? Been there too. Obviously my child is a reminder of his abusive father but he is NOT that person. He does not deserve to be punished for the pain I suffered at someone else’s hand.

    It was in a Planned Parenthood exam room that I found out I was pregnant with my first child…at 15. It was in that same room that God intervened (although I did not know Him yet) on behalf of my boy as the nurse attempted to convince me that “ending my pregnancy” was the right thing to do. My baby turned 16 this year…

    Reply
  23. Cassi

    @Mel – I have to respectfully disagree. If not for moral conviction/beliefs how would we draw lines between right and wrong? If what you are saying is that we should not hope for (and attempt to change) laws to protect the lives of the unborn, how can we “impose” a belief that murder is wrong–no matter the stage of life of the victim? Or what about rape? Moral convictions/beliefs give us much needed boundaries. Without them, we would have to throw everything out and live in complete chaos.
    My 2 cents.

    Reply
  24. rose

    Since when do you or anyone else know what God says or feels? Are you now on speaking terms with Him/her? I don’t think anyone has spoken WITH God lately. Maybe people speak to God through prayer but who has actually heard a voice from God! What about the women who have lost their lives giving birth & the children born with the defects which kill them before they reach the age of 5, are these the things that God wants to happen too?

    Reply
    1. heidistjohn Post author

      Yes, I am on “speaking terms” with God. And His Word … the Bible, also speaks for Him. God has made it clear as the Creator of life that murder is not acceptable.

      Reply
  25. Carmen

    Here’s a story I recall reading many years ago when I began researching this topic (it has made a comeback, it seems):

    A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

    “Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even one year old, and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together.”

    So the doctor said: “Okay, and what do you want me to do?”

    She said: “I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.”

    The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence, he said to the lady: “I think I have a better solution for your problem. It’s less dangerous for you, too.”

    She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

    Then he continued: “You see, in order for you not to have to take care of two babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.”

    The lady was horrified and said: “No, doctor! How terrible! It’s a crime to kill a child!”

    “I agree,” the doctor replied. “But you seemed to be okay with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.”

    Reply
  26. Amy

    I don’t follow abortion news stories closely because they make me angry. So my comment is not backed by years of following legislature and news. It is backed by personally watching lives and families destroyed by abortion. What I do read and follow rarely seems to mention the ramifications on the women who have an abortion and are mentally and emotionally tortured and scarred for the rest of their lives, as one of the previous comments discusses. I have known several women who have had abortions….why? Because they could. There was an easy and available solution to their unexpected “problem”. Those women had no idea that their lives would be ruined from that choice.

    My sister-in-law and her husband…yes husband, not rapist….weren’t ready for children so she had an abortion in their first year of marriage. It was an easy option until they were “ready”. Well, she lost her mind afterward. When she realized what she had done she couldn’t live with herself and was suicidal. She truly couldn’t accept her decision and secretly blamed all of us, her husband’s family. She believes that we/they didn’t accept her into the family and that she killed her child because we might be mad at her for being pregnant. This is the lie she has told herself for 15 years and as a result destroyed my husband’s once close-knit family. My husband and his brother, his former best friend, haven’t spoken in years.

    Another friend of a friend was forced by her mother to have an abortion in her freshman year of college because they didn’t like her boyfriend. She is now miserable in her marriage and life 20 years later. She secretly hates her mother to this day for making her kill her child.

    Another friend had an abortion in college as an easy solution to her unplanned pregnancy. She never went on to have children and in her 30s had to deal will the realization she killed the only child she could have had.

    These are just my stories. Just mine. How many miserable women have ruined their life with this choice that the media portrays as a noble right of womanhood? A solution, a proud choice? How many women truly walk away from an abortion unharmed and happy? How many might have enjoyed true happiness once they actually held their baby, watched them smile for the first time, or heard them say “ma-ma” for the first time? Or gave them up to a family that has waited for YEARS for a child through adoption. How many women might have found freedom and happiness from providing a loving couple with their baby.

    Where are the voices of these women behind this horrible legislature and noise of Pro-Choice?

    Reply
    1. Heidi Post author

      Sad. Amy, your best weapon is prayer. Prayer is powerful! You can also let your voice be heard! Send letters, emails, go to rallies. Get involved. Abortion is genocide that we must not stand by and quietly watch. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  27. Amy

    One last thing, I have read several statistics that state that less than 1% of abortions are due to rape or incest, .03% due to rape and .03% due to incest so that does not, in my opinion, support a strong argument for abortion in cases of rape and incest. I recognize that both of those situations are extremely sensitive and painful and I am in no way trying to minimize the seriousness of rape or incest. I am simply pointing out that the majority of abortions are for other reasons but rape seems to be the big argument that helps make abortion seem like a compassionate choice for women.

    Reply
  28. Katie Winn

    A few things are just infuriating me right now. First, the way the media and celebrities and news organizations are in tears over Cecil the Lion being killed by a dentist, yet those very same people are pro-choice and find little value in human life. Second, In all the years of the abortion debate that I am aware of, the unborn baby is looked at as unhuman, and a mass of cells that has potential to become a human. Why would Planned Parenthood be selling non-human tissue? This is so inconsistent. Of course they all know that they are killing babies. What is going on in this world when people value animal life more than human life. I’m not trying to get in a discussion about the lion and how it was illegally killed. But look at the uproar when a police dog dies in a hot car, versus when a child dies in a hot car. Where is the outcry for that child?

    I love you Heidi, and I love what you do.

    Reply

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