As I write this, I just finished giving my infant a bath. She giggled and cooed and played with her toes and babbled her new favorite word–“mama.”
To think, just 7 mere months ago she resided in my womb, warm and comfortable and nourished and loved. Her first images of the world were blurs of my midwife and me pulling her to my chest, and her first tastes were of milk and wet kisses.
But I can’t look at her this week without thinking of those babies whose first and only images of this world were of a name I even shudder to type–the abortionist Kermit Gosnell. We all now know how he murdered hundreds of babies–both in the womb and out of it–in the name of “women’s rights.”
He bedheaded them, and they shrieked. He snapped their necks. He laughed at their size. And even killed their mothers.
The gruesomeness is so ghastly that the mainstream media will not do much more than touch the story.
And maybe I should not mention such things either. Maybe I should stand by, quiet. And post on homemade spice mixes and cloth diapers and how my laundry mountain is about to erupt into a live volcano.
But how can I not? How can I remain silent when this goes beyond the trial of a man whose name I do not even want to type again?
How can I not speak up for the voices who have been silenced? For the voices who never got to utter a sound?
Image by TEDxNJLibraries
When I was a teenager, my favorite time period to study was World War II. I romanticized the era with the handsome chaps off to war and the women feminine yet strong in their husbands’ absences.
And one thing I just could never wrap my mind around was the Holocaust. How in the world could millions of Jews been murdered right under everyone’s noses?? Human beings! Human beings!
My grandparents were living, breathing, fighting and falling in love. How could they and those like them have just not known?
I devoured such books as The Diary of Anne Frank and Corrie ten Boom’s The Hiding Place. And I hid in my heart the promise to never let such things happen again; my passionate teenage self believed I really could stop such things.
And I had nightmares. Nightmares of those children who never really got to be children. Whose childhoods were taken away in a gas chamber.
And here we are so many years later–in America no less, and things are not much different.
Millions of babies have been murdered in my lifetime. And I…have…done…nothing.
Image by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget
They are children who never got to be children. Children whose lives were taken away in the very place where they are supposed to be warm and comfortable and nourished and loved.
And so what can we do in the stark truth of such things?
1. Talk about it.
I will be honest: In the 2008 election, I posted quite a bit about abortion and the like on Facebook. I had friends who didn’t like what I had to say. And so, during the 2012 election, I stayed away from posting anything of the sort.
This is the first blog post I’ve ever written about abortion. If you are a blogger, write about this. For goodness sakes, write!
Because just how many other Kermit Gosnells are out there?
But if I–if we–continue to remain silent, nothing will change.
2. Give to your local pregnancy resource center.
You can give the gift of money, time or resources. Our local center raises funds by distributing baby bottles for others to collect change in. You can give your gently-used baby clothes, canisters of formula or just a listening ear.
3. Encourage an unwed mommy.
Don’t judge. Don’t throw her out of the church and toss stones. As Jesus Himself said: “Let He who is without sin throw the first stone.”
Encourage her, love her, and do all you can to help her redeem her pregnancy, childbirth and life as a mommy.
4. Love on a woman who has had an abortion.
These ladies are all among us. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, your sisters and aunts and church members and friends. Some are other mommies. Maybe you are one of them.
A tragedy exists in my pro-life culture: We reject the sin and the sinner. What would Jesus have done?
He would have loved her. He would have sought her company at the well. He would have looked her in the eyes and said: “Go and sin no more.” And the difference in Him and in us is that He had no sin (when ALL of us do).
These ladies need to be loved, encouraged, supported, and know that all is not lost. No sin is so great that God’s grace is not greater.
One of the most godly women I know had an abortion. But you know what? She came to know Jesus. His love now permeates from her. Sarah Mae and Marci from The Thankful Homemaker have let God redeem and use their stories as well.
5. Adopt (or help others do so)
If we talk and support and encourage, Lord-willing, there will be more babies who are born and who will need homes. Who will be their forever mommies and daddies. Will it be you? Or maybe God is calling you to help others raise the funds they need to bring a formerly unwanted baby home.
6. Teach your children that these things are NOT OK. No one else in this world will teach them that. We must.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~Anne Frank
Jaminthia Pillow
Thank you for posting on this issue. I am mortified, mortified! We have four UNPLANNED babies asleep in the room. The thought of abortion did not cross my mind even once when I saw that little stick turn from blank to pregnant. For me life begins at conception whether its convenient or not. I can’t even wrap my mind around getting an abortion at 6 or 7 months. May God have mercy on his soul.
Erin
Yes, God have mercy on him and on our nation!
Julie
Four unplanned pregnancies? Unless those are four babies at the same time, you might want to switch to another BC method. Anyhoo, I myself am on the fence about abortion. People always talk about the sweet little babies not having a chance at love. But have you ever thought about some of the women who get abortions? Why they are getting abortions? Do you really think that all of those unwanted babies are going to get the TLC that your baby/babies get? Do you think they the majority of unwanted babies are going to get lovingly bathed and cooed at and powdered and snuggled? I’m not trying to convince you that abortion is the correct way, but put yourself in the shoes of women who can’t afford/don’t want/should not be mothers to babies. Should other people who have unplanned pregnancies take responsibility? Maybe, but it isn’t a 2-parent world anymore, and shaming a woman for not wanting to be a single parent puts the blame on the woman and delves into sexual inequality which is a whole other topic.
Bridget garriga
If the women can’t afford to be moms/shouldn’t be moms and such as you posted, then THEY SHOULD’VE LEFT THEIR LEGS CLOSED.
Chloe williams
Some women don’t have that choice. What about rape victims? Are they to blame because a man forced their legs open? I, much like you, don’t agree with abortion but I also do not condone other women for the decision they make.
Kim
Thank you so much for having the courage to post this beautiful heartfelt truth. You shared your love for each baby and their mothers beautifully. We absolutely need to embrace these mothers and walk the hard journey with them – not judging them. So many of the “pro-lifers” I know truly love the women who are in these difficult circumstances and have hearts that break for them. I’m thankfully you’re putting your voice out there, willing to be heard.
Erin
Thank you!
Bethany Pendergrast
Can I just say that I LOVE this post?! Thank you for being so open and real about how truly horrible this “womens right/choice” is…but more so for your comments about unwed mothers.
In 2010 I was faced with an unplanned pregnancy from a casual relationship, and the father insisted I abort with many threats following when I refused. I was at rock bottom, which is exactly where God wanted me to begin a redemption process. He used our local pregnancy center, women in our church, and my family to, as you put it, redeem my pregnancy/childbirth/ and mommyhood. During my pregnancy God brought a man into my life that saw beyond the “mess” and loves my son as his own. We will be celebrating our 2nd anniversary in June, and have been blessed with 2 more babies…one in heaven and our precious 5 month old girl 🙂
If I had chosen an abortion, there would be no redemption story to tell….only more heartache and regret. God used an unplanned pregnancy to redeem my life, and that of my husbands….abortion takes away the life of not just the baby, but what the mothers could be.
Thank you for recognizing that unwed mothers need LOVE and GRACE, just as much as their sweet babies.
Holly
I was JUST about to sit down and write my own blog post on this very same topic when I saw yours on my feed. You wrote it beautifully. I am heart sick at this horrific butchery that happens from early conception until – or AFTER – birth. I keep thinking of how absolutely repulsive this (and all sin/selfishness) must be to God – the giver of life. That we toss/behead/suction his beautiful creations into the trash. We must not be silent. I am sharing your post and I will be writing my own. Thank you.
Amanda Free
Thank you,
I have never allowed abortion to be an option with my three babies, only with this past pregnancy did the thought/devil get a small foot hole in my mind but didn’t win thanks to the strength of my husband’s faith. (hormones, yuck). I can’t imagine how any woman can go 6+ months into s pregnancy, feel the baby moving inside her, and still choose to kill that baby.this monster seems to have taken pressure in killing these innocent children,i hope he is judged completely on earth as well as after death.
Lori
I agree with supporting unwed mothers to be in making the right decision for them. And no matter what their decision, I respect them, because it is their choice. I do not believe any woman should be bullied into making a decision that doesn’t fit for her.. Respectfully, I wish thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion on this post. 🙂
CW
It is their choice to choose not to have sex. It is their choice to choose to use birth control. It is NOT their choice to end the life of a child preordained by God.
Anon
I don’t think it is always that black and white.
Sometimes women are raped. I would hope that adoption would be the first option, but only the mother is capable of deciding what is right.
Sometimes the pregnancy will result in the death of the mother and/or baby. Just as we would support her in killing someone intruding her home and threatening her life, we ought to support her if she needs to kill an unborn child who threatens her life. The mother–in consultation with her husband and the Lord, I hope–is the only one who can decide what the best option is, even when none of the options are very good.
JJ
Anon, abortion does not unripe a woman. It doesn’t end the fact that she is with child. She becomes a victim of rep and the mother of a murdered child. One evil does not condone another.
In fact, the abortion industry thrives on rape victims that choose murder. And rapist love abortion since it destroys biological evidence of the crime. Sorry, The rape exception doesn’t hold water if you truly believe children are created by God and in His image.
Abolitionist BW
The body that is inside her body is not her body but a distinct human person. Abortion kills a child who bears Gods image and should never be a “choice” or referred to as anything but a human. www.AbolishHumanAbortion.com
lynda
THANK YOU for posting this. Not all women agree with abortions, let alone as a “right.” I don’t like to use the word “abortion” at all because it is MURDER. If people abort puppies, there is an outcry, yet a human being is just a glob of cells or whatever the current phrase is currently. Many people want babies. Women have to stand up on this issue and let our voices be heard. I used to volunteer at a large Crisis Pregnancy Center. Many girls and young women today this of abortion as a means of birth control, and don’t realize that it is anything else but a “right.” A nation that disregards the value of an unborn child is destined to have the same attitude about the elderly and disabled.
kat
“If people abort puppies,”
Vets do spay/aborts all the time actually.
JJ
Puppies are not created in Gods image. The bible speaks of spilling innocent human blood and the guiltiness from that, not animals. (not advocating animal cruelty!)
KM Logan
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on abortion. I think I’ll probably be writing an eBook soon, similar to the message in this post. Blessings.
Jessica
Love this. Brave, practical, and godly.
Thanks for posting.
JJ
I believe to be truly Godly advice we should add declaring the gospel in light of any evil and in the face of evil, not paying others to do it while we hide in a nice church building and think we are doing good
Julie
I think society for the most part accepts abortion. I have no idea why. But it seems like the first option for people in certain situations. With my 5th child, our tests for down syndrome came back positive. So many people, even family members told me to abort and try again. I remember one heated argument with my father in law, where I told him that my baby WAS perfect because he was created exactly how God wanted him to be. Abortion never crossed my mind and it made me feel like my baby was less loved by some because he didn’t fit the term “perfect” in their eyes. My baby is here, healthy and happy. And although we expected to have a child with down syndrome, our son does not have it.
Ronnie
The false positives happen more often than people think. Also the tests given in the first trimester with “probabilities and percentages” of having this or that disease can be very misleading. I was told with my first that there was “increased risk” of down’s syndrome. Now, nearly 4, my daughter is blessed to be happy and healthy and completely “normal” (although my husband and I would have loved her greatly either way).
I can only imagine how many women made the choice to have their completely fine babies murdered because of an increased risk of this or that. Very sad. I’m sure it would break many a mothers heart if they knew the truth.
Lori Clark
Same with our 5th child, and abortion was never an option. I really wish we had not had the testing done but because of my age, they pushed a little harder. Our son was born 3 weeks ago & could not be more perfect. We will not let them do any more chromosome testing on him as it would not change a thing with us. All he will know is love, regardless of anything!
Nikki
I’m glad I saw this post. It kills me to think about the millions of innocent babies that are slaughtered here in America. :*( I used to get into heated arguments with others about this issue. I have a lot of liberal friends. I am SO sick of hearing about a woman’s right to choose! What about that baby’s right to LIFE??! These days, I try not to get into it with people like that, because it has never done any good, just made me miserable. A few years ago, my (then) friend had an abortion. She was told at her 18 week ultrasound that her baby had a rare genetic disorder and wouldn’t survive long after birth. In my state, you have until the 19th week of pregnancy to have a legal abortion. 19 weeks!! My friend aborted her baby, and they were able to prove that the baby did indeed have a fatal disorder, but I was never able to come to terms with the fact that that baby didn’t die when GOD decided. How many babies are aborted for fear of imperfection? And why are we so focused on having a PERFECT baby anyway?? Down syndrome babies are huge blessings to their families. I haven’t met a single family with a DS child that say they wished they had aborted that baby. I wish I knew more ways to help fight abortion. Though I know that even if we made it illegal, women will still do it. 🙁
Anna B
Family is the basis of society. My husband and I are incredibly blessed to have grown up in families where there was no question that a baby in the womb is just that, a BABY, in need of care and protection. We grew up knowing, doing, and supporting #1-6. We are now knowing, doing, supporting, and TEACHING #1-6 to our own children.
Thank you, Erin, for not allowing the pressures of “mainstream” society to silence your voice for truth. I would welcome more posts on this or similar topics!
Tess
Amen!♥ We have learned, to be silent is a vote in favor! No more being quiet! After I had my 1st baby, May 1980, I marched in a protest against an abortion clinic… I had NO IDEA the Dr of the clinic was my OB-GYN….. It explained how he couldn’t touch my baby when I took her for my final check-up!
I shared on Pinterest, on my page in Facebook, and Tweeted. NO MORE SILENCE! Thank you for sharing! No one explains the pain the mothers suffer after-the-fact… no matter how they claim the child is a “fetus” giving it less than human rights! Every mammal who is expecting, is expecting an offspring of their own kind! A baby cow, a baby horse, a baby kitty, a baby puppy… even guppies have babies!!!
Serenity de Clare
This post was great. My fiancee and I cannot have children. We would like to adopt. I had a hysterectomy last October after suffering for over a decade with endometorosis. I have had multiple surgeries, different medications, etc. Nothing worked. Finally, what made us decide to have the hysterectomy was that I was already infertile anyways, I had been hemorraging for about a week even after and prior to a D&C. Enough was a enough. I am 30 years. I was 29 when this all happened. I am struggling with it more so because my best friend is pregnant and I see a lot of her and I really, really wanted to have children of my own, especially a daughter, and she is having a daughter. So I guess you could say I am living vicariously though her.
I think the system is broken though. It is NOT fair that people have to pay for babies when other people can have them for free. My fiancee and I cannot afford right now to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to adopt a baby but we can afford to raise and love a baby right now. We already have his 11 year old son and we are living just fine. I mean, we don’t make $530,000 a year, but we are living well. This issue infuriates me and makes me depressed at the same time. It is NOT right nor fair.
Coincidently, my fiancee’s son’s mother from his previous relationship, she had a baby about a year and a half ago with some guy that she saw twice, and got pregnant by him. The guy didn’t want anything to do with the baby and my fiancee’s son mom is a horrible mother to start with, she said “oh I can’t afford another child nor can I be bothered with one” so to make some extra money she gave it up for adoption through the church she goes through here in town. But heres the kicker. She and my fiancee’s son still go to see it and my fiancee’s son is getting all confused by this because he doesn’t really understand what is going on. This isn’t the first insane nor irresponsible thing she has done with a child nor my fiancee’s son. The list goes on.
Anyways, I really liked this post. And I have stated why I think the system is broken. Thank you!
Christy M
Have you considered doing Foster-to-Adopt through your county? It may take a few placements before you find your forever child, but you’ll be helping children in the process! And in most cases the cost is very low, if anything.
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
Erin….bless you for writing this. I have been agonizing in my soul about this issue and many others. Wondering what to do. But you are so right….if we stay silent and cower in fear of being rejected, then we are part of the problem.
Britney Mills
It’s a sad thing to get rid of children when there are seriously so many couples out there hoping to adopt a child. I think this is an important topic not only because these babies are living but it’s one of the consequences (or blessings 🙂 of our actions and we can’t just throw that away.
Laura Weymouth
I love your emphasis on supporting mamas in trouble. I think those who are pro-life (myself included) would get so much further if we took into account the factors that lead to women getting abortions. We need more support for unwed moms and crisis pregnancies, and a culture that values children no matter their origin. The legality or illegality of abortion is just the tip of the iceberg.
Lisha
Yes!!
Liz
Abortion is the final symptom of two lives that were abused horribly. It is the symptom of children not being important, of eduation not being important, of making sure our children are fed not being important, and of not taking enough time to make children feel important. Abortion not the form of birth control that it is made to be by both sides of the issue – it is major surgery and making it a bit more scary (as it really is) may be the best defense.
That being said I am hoping to be pregnant within the next year and every time I see something written like this it scares me to death that I will be told that I should die if something were to go wrong like happened to the woman in Ireland who should have lived if it were not for the laws that prevented her from getting proper medical care when she needed it.
Emily June
Thank you for keeping this at the front of our minds!
There is an organization that is doing something to stop this. They’re called Save the Storks. Here’s a some info I copied from their site.
OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE: We seek to empower every abortion-minded mother to choose life and to share with them the good news of Jesus.
Using a bus equipped with a state-of-the-art sonogram machine and the ability to provide pregnancy tests, we are able to meet with abortion-minded mothers right at the door of an abortion clinic to show them an image of their child. The majority of the women we come in contact with are not fully convinced that abortion is the best option, but rather they feel as if it is their only option.
Through partnerships with nationally known pregnancy centers, we are able to establish more long term relationships with these women who decide to choose life and help them set out on the right foot for motherhood or adoption. We differ from protesters in the sense that we are actually there with resources to help these women in practical and tangible ways.
Few things in life are more satisfying than empowering women to overcome difficult circumstances. Approximately 3 out of 5 women we see choose life.
Check them out at savethestorks.com
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
That is AWESOME, Emily! God bless you as you help women to make a real choice – equipping them with truth about what they are about to do and providing them with resources to make the right choice to honor life, not destroy it!
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
Emily, I love that! Keep being the arms of Christ for those mamas and babies!
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
Erin, this is such a great post and I am SO glad you had the courage to write this. You so articulately and lovingly shared the truth that silence is exactly how a holocaust occurs – people turning a blind eye! So many women, as well as our society as a whole, have been deceived into thinking it’s a blob, not a baby; a mass of tissue, not a human being. If we don’t speak the truth, and just sit back and watch it happen, and not speak out against it, how are we any less guilty. I plan to share this post because like you, I am utterly horrified by the continued atrocities happening to the defenseless tiny lives that God has created in His image being butchered daily. We must be the voice of the innocent who cannot speak that they are precious lives who deserve the RIGHT TO LIVE!
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
oops, you can delete this. It said I was offline and so I didn’t think the comment posted. So I reposted below. APOLOGIES! 🙂
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home
Erin, this is such a great post and I am SO glad you had the courage to write this. You so articulately and lovingly shared the truth that silence is exactly how a holocaust occurs – people turning a blind eye!
So many women, as well as our society as a whole, have been deceived into thinking it’s a blob, not a baby; a mass of tissue, not a human being. If we don’t speak the truth, and just sit back and watch it happen, and not speak out against it, how are we any less guilty?
That’s why I plan to share this post, because like you, I am utterly horrified by the continued atrocities happening to the defenseless tiny lives that God has created in His image – I simply cannot continue to sit by silently while millions of infants are being butchered daily. We must be the voice of the innocent who cannot speak for themselves that they are precious little lives who deserve the RIGHT to LIVE!
Diana@My Humble Kitchen
Erin, this was such a powerful post. Thank you for writing about it and encouraging others to do the same!
Kimberly
Thank you so much for your brave reflective words! You’ve inspired your readers and other bloggers to get the word out for life. It is my prayer that God will use your words to touch others to end these atrocities against children. May there be a boom of adoption and encouragement for women who choose life. Blessings to you!
Kimberly
Thoughts recently posted… http://www.couldntaskformore.com/2013/04/14/the-trial-of-life/
Jamileh
Thank you for writing this post…very inspirational and what the world NEEDS to hear more of. Even though we as human beings may not plan for pregnancy at a specific time, there’s no such thing as an unplanned pregnancy. God has a plan for everything and everyone in HIS time. HE knows best. As a few women have shared here, I too am a woman who was redeemed by my teen pregnancies (I had 2 babies out of wedlock before I was 19 yrs. old). The church I attended with my parents threw me out onto the streets and so did my parents. I was all alone with 2 children, no job and no place to go. Even though I was angry at God (thinking this was all HIS fault, not mine) I still cried out to HIM. I was hurting desperately and needed someone…HE was the only One I could think to run to. He began a slow and painful process to bring me to HIM and HE used a wonderful man who I have been very happily married to for 19 years now. I would encourage everyone here; if you know of an unwed teenage mom, don’t judge…be her protector. She needs your prayers and unconditional love.
Blessings
Jamileh
Stephanie H.
I saw a link to your blog/this article on facebook and had to read it. I had1 unplanned pregnancy and the father (now my husband) and I never even uttered the “a” word. Were we wanting a child at that time? No… but my now 4yo son is one of the single most blessings I have ever recieved in my life! Next to him are my 7mo twincesses (one was planned, the other a surprise!!!) and of course their father who is an amazing husband and father.
However, I have several friends who have had an abortion, and they are still my friends. I love them and try to encourage them.
And my last thought is, I could have very easily been an aborted baby myself. My bio-mom was raped, but instead of killing what would become me,she adopted me out to my grandparents, who loved me and raised me as their own.
Kristen @ Smithspirations
This is a beautiful and important post, Erin. To tell the truth, I’ve been so horrified by the little bit that I’ve read of this abortion provider that I haven’t forced myself to read about everything he did. Perhaps I need to do that.
I will be praying about posting on my blog, as well.
Todd
Just like in during the holocaust people turned their backs. Well if I am not the one killing the Jew it is ok. If I don’t have an abortion it’s ok. We have to call evil what it is no matter the position of the rest of society. If no one speaks and just says its none of my business then the evil will just go on.
Traci S
I have seen down’s syndrome mentioned and thought that would be a good starting point for my thoughts on abortion. I met the father of my first child at a bar/club. We were out with friends and happened to be part of the same group even though we didn’t know each other. We instantly fell in love. I am not that girl. When I met him this world had left some seriously nasty scars on me and if anything I was antilove. I have never been the type to get all mushy over a guy and swear I’m in love after knowing him for only a week. That’s not me. But with him, I knew the night I met him that I wanted to be with him forever. So we rushed into things. He moved in with me within 2 weeks. And a month later we were rather surprised(we were so naive) to discover that I was pregnant. I remember panicking. Thinking that maybe he didn’t love me enough to stick it out and raise a child with me. I was terrified! But I knew that I loved that child already and that no matter what I would make it work. I would be a single mom if I had to be. I knew nothing about what to expect from all the doctor’s appointments and blood tests. I didn’t even know they did a quad screen much less what a quad screen was. So when my doctor explained to me that they were testing my blood to find out if my beautiful son had down’s syndrome I didn’t understand why. I asked if it was just so the doctor’s and parents could be prepared to care for a special needs child. She struggled to find an eloquent way to tell me that some parents opt to “end the pregnancy if the test comes back positive.” I was stunned. I couldn’t then, and I still can’t now, even begin to understand how or why someone would want to do that. Whether the test is negative or positive should not matter. That is still a baby. A life. A beautiful, innocent soul that has the potential to fill your life with so much joy. How could someone so callously deny that baby the chance to live and to love?
Obviously I am prolife. I very much believe that life begins at conception. I look at my three children and it kills me to think that other people would knowingly deny life to something so beautiful.
To end my story, the father of my first child, he stuck around. We just celebrated 8 years together. We are married. Have three beautiful children. He has turned out to be an amazing husband and father. Even better than I ever could have hoped for. However, I still would have made the same decision whether he stuck around or not. My son, my firstborn, he saved me when I didn’t even know I needed a hero. I never wanted children until I found out I was pregnant with him and then suddenly I knew I would do anything and everything to bring him into this world and to keep him safe.
Allison
I just read, in more gruesome detail, more about this man at http://m.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/why-dr-kermit-gosnells-trial-should-be-a-front-page-story/274944/. It was horrific.
This was a wonderful post and is such a great reminder of what we can do to start. This man got away with it for so long in part because probably the majority not being English speaking and probably many of them illegal immigrants and unwanted pregnancies. The others were poor children or very young women so scared and frightened to tell the authorities because it would result in consequences from their parents or boyfriends.
I struggle with WHEN a soul is placed in a young one, is it at the first breath they take? Is it at conception? The answer doesn’t really matter though since either way, God has given a woman that baby and will also take it away from her NATURALLY. There is nothing natural about what this barbarian has done.
It’s horrible that the struggle is with man and the lack of God. While people are fighting and forcing Him out of our life it is the innocent that suffer and will continue to suffer because it won’t be stopped by man alone so it treads on a person’s “rights” to do what they want with their body. That is why journalists and the media aren’t covering this brutality…because they would have to take a stand AGAINST it, something that they refuse to do.
As with many women, abortion NEVER crossed my mind, even though I questioned why. Then again, I was married and although unexpected, my pregnancies were never unwanted and God did take one away early on. THANK YOU for reminding us that the women that have had abortions NEED to continue to be loved and not judged. It was a reminder because my sister needs me to do that.
Beth W
Speaking as a woman who had an abortion, and doesn’t regret it at all, I just want to point out the difference between what Dr. Gosnell is doing and a regular, safe, legal abortion (which happens so early on you couldn’t snap a neck, as the baby isn’t fully formed).
I agree, as anyone would, that someone who kills fully-formed humans is a murderer, especially someone who takes joy in it. But I also want to make sure we’re not confusing the issue with abortion in general, which is still legal and a safe option for pregnant women.
The law should be punishing Dr. Gosnell, regardless of where you stand on the issue of a woman’s right to choose. But please don’t use it as an anti-abortion platform, because this monster is the exception, not the rule.
womenspeakingforwomen
Beth–I also am a woman who participated in the act of abortion, paying someone to stop the beating heart of the innocent human being developing in my womb….and I terribly regret that decision to hire someone to do the unspeakable of killing another human being. No excuse I can give would justify the act of murder, for that is what it was.
Also, Mr. Gosnell is not the exception as there are plenty of abortionists who have and continue perform botched abortions on women, butchering them, scarring them for life and killing them. Just skim the internet and you’ll find that there have been horrific deaths from complications from abortions since 1973, but where are the cries for these women? Instead coat hangers still wave in the air while women continue to die.
And, a last point, a human beings heart starts beating at 18 days and every organ is present. The DNA is set, eye color, hair color….everything. Whether the baby is young in the womb or older, there is still someone that is hired to stop that beating heart. Just because something is legal, does not make it right. Slavery was never right, but it was legal. Gassing Jews or anyone else Hitler deemed unworthy of life was legal, but it certainly wasn’t right. And one day, this atrocity will be over and people will wonder how this could have gone on.
Granny
You seem to think every child born has a happy life, I know for a fact that is not always so. Sometime I may go into that, but suffice to say I was shuttled through a few (I know could have been more) foster homes, physically, mentally, sexually abused, {beaten with many objects making bruises that lasted 2 to 3 weeks, worked like a field hand and told it was because I really wasn’t one of theirs, and molested by two of their sons (when I told them the first time I was beaten until I ‘admitted I lied about their son’ but when the second came home drunk and raped me in the bed I shared with one of their daughters- she waited until he was done then went and told- her they believed) Children are abused, tortured, really, everyday, some until they die, I’m not sure they are thankful for their lives. I many times have thought I never should have been born, what were they thinking? Yes I survived it all, but those who are aborted may have been saved from a far worse, longer lasting, cruel and inhumane existence. Until there is universal affordable, health care, programs to support a single parent with training, jobs, housing, etc. forcing children to be born into misery is just another form of abuse, as well meaning as some purport to be.
Jamileh
Granny,
You’re right about one thing, not everyone has a happy and safe childhood. I know I didn’t (terrible abuse at the hands of my parents) and at times I wondered why I was here on earth…why my parents kept me just to treat me horribly. However this is something that shouldn’t be dwelt on for the entirety of your life. It will eat you up and make you a cold bitter person. I truly don’t think most women walk into clinics thinking they’re sparing their unborn child from a miserable abusive life. To say that killing unborn children to POSSIBLY spare them from an unpleasant childhood is like saying you can see into that child’s future and you just know that’s what will happen. Most people who survive abuse get help, heal and move on to be happy productive people. With the ‘logic’ you seem to present you may as well kill every unborn child because at some time in their lives they MAY experience some challenging and unpleasant things. No one is ever promised a perfect life no matter what path you choose. You don’t’ kill unborn children because of what COULD or MAY happen. You cannot predict the path of every unborn child. You sound like a very negative person. Everyone and everything…the whole world is bad. You would keep a child from experiencing all the good things that life has to offer?! You would keep the world from benefiting from what this unborn child has to offer? That’s ridiculous! You survived and you’re still here on this earth. Why is that?
Krystyna
Thank you for taking the time to post about such a controversial and sensitive/difficult issue and really for speaking for the unborn. One thing I’d like to add to the list of things we can do is simply to pray. Here is the link to a quick but powerful video on spiritual adoption http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0zQiNedKVDM.
Jamileh
Beth W,
Murder is murder, plain and simple. No matter who does it, no matter where or when or how it’s done, no matter who it’s done to, murder is still murder. There is NO gray area here. Interesting how a man can murder a pregnant woman and be charged with a double homicide but abortion doctors cannot be charged with anything. It’s not about womens rights, it’s about the rights of the unborn who cannot defend themselves. Although I am not an advocate of birth control women know how not to get pregnant. Abortion isn’t birth control.
Karen
I cannot imagine a circumstance where I would consider an abortion but I feel that for ME that is My decision to make. I would under no circumstances force my view on another woman. If education about preventing pregancy and all forms of birth control were made available, the instance and reason for abortion would be much lower. What this doctor did was horrific and I feel for the poor women who probably experienced the most horrifying thing in their life, too, but it does not help to say that IUD’s and birth control pills (personhood begins at conception) should not be an option for what otherwise is abstenance or parenthood. If all pro-life individuals would care as much about children already born as they do about the unborn, there would be less reason for there to be children who are abandoned and/or abused, all would be cared for, educated and lifted out of poverty.
Will
Nobody actually mentioned the birth control pill. People have varying opinions on that, but it never actually came up in this story.
Suzanne McClendon
First of all, I am pro-death penalty. This man CHOSE to torture and kill these babies, so in my opinion, he CHOOSES to die. These little babies had no choice and it was their lives, their bodies at stake here.
I am anti-abortion, but pro-choice…the choice of life, that is. Also, that choice being to keep one’s clothes on unless one is willing to accept the responsibility that comes along with being unclothed. Once the stick turns pink/blue, there is no other “choice” to make. What they tout as “choice” is murder. The baby shouldn’t have to receive the death penalty for someone else’s poor choices, no matter who that someone else is, whether the pregnancy was unintentional or not, whether the act that created the pregnancy was consensual or not. Two wrongs don’t make a right, my mama always said…what is made right by killing a baby because someone was sexually irresponsible?
I think that this “doctor” should be put to death and think that it is too bad that he can’t be put to death as many times as babies he killed! He made the choice and should pay for his choice. His voice has been heard. The poor little ones, aside from their screams, were given no voice to make their own choice to live. 🙁
It is a wicked world we’re in when murderers are protected and given life and babies are given the death penalty.
Michele
Abortion is murder no matter how you explain it or word it or for what reason you justify it.
Jennifer
Bravo for writing this. I am proud of anyone who takes a stand on any issue and outlines appropriate alternatives as you have done here.
I will ask one thing, though: Are you aware of what happened to women and those children before Roe v. Wade? You had something way more atrocious than the Gosnell case. What Gosnell did was illegal because he aborted late term and partially born children, something that is very much illegal. However before 1973, Gosnell’s actions were the norm, and they weren’t performed in a clinic. They were performed in alleyways and unclean hotel rooms, sometimes in a woman’s home. Often with unsterile equipment. And that’s assuming you had a doctor who knew what to do. I read this article when it came out and it has stuck with me since. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/health/views/03essa.html?_r=0
Just because someone is pro-choice doesn’t mean they are pro-abortion or anti-child (and I would NEVER accuse you of suggesting otherwise, it’s just a common misconception). The reality is far more than fetuses were killed before 1973. We can educate teens about responsible sexual behaviors, and we can educate society on shaming unwed mothers (unwed fathers seem to slide unscathed). But abortions will take place. What Roe v Wade did was make them safe. Medically speaking.
autumn
Abortion was not more common before Roe v. Wade although there were/are those who will say differently. It was suppose to be rare if we made it legal, but as a result we have legally protected the murder of millions and millions of children in unbelievably brutal ways. There is NO justification for it, and we should be demanding it stop.
Jennifer
I didn’t say abortion was more common. Women had abortions at about the same rate then as they do now. What *was* more common were procedures like what Gosnell did. That was fairly routine of women who went for “safe abortions” (which is what Gosnell would be considered in pre-Roe America).
womenspeakingforwomen
Jennifer, statistically speaking, it is not even close to the numbers of abortions prior to 1973. There have been close to 60 million children killed by abortion since 1973; it’s commonplace now to have an abortion unfortunately. And since decriminalizing abortion, abortion centers have become havens for rapists, sex traffickers, and any other sexual predator.
And if you think by decriminalizing abortion, that it became safer, you are sadly mistaken. None of the back alley abortionists quit, they just because legal. So now, we just have back alley abortionists legally performing abortions and continuing to butcher women and kill children.
Take a drive down to Miami and look at some of the abortion mills, the panacea and illusion of safe abortions will definitely be gone after viewing some of these places.
Lawana
Thanks so much for posting.
Jamileh
Jennifer,
If Roe v Wade made abortions “safer” than they were, how do you explain Kermit Gosnell? If he was out there doing this in the here and now, how many others are out there doing this evil work?
Jennifer
What he did was illegal. And anyone else doing similar are equally illegal. For these women, they were to Gosnell because they had their options for earlier abortions legal’ed away. How many others are doing what he did? Probably more than you know. And the number will increase as abortion rights are stripped away.
kat
His patients were often poor immigrants too poor or too far along to obtain a legal abortion. Guess who profits when the number of women who cannot obtain an abortion increases? Gosnell and his ilk.
Heather Hall
I had an abortion and truly it was heartbreaking. I do not however regret it. From what I know about myself, a pregnancy at that point would have further devastated my health, both physically and mentally. I just wouldn’t have been able to recover remotely in time to be the mother I am to the 2 children I have now.
I hear your point and I do think there are ways to reduce abortion, although most pro-lifers do not realize one of the easiest ways is the pill. there are far fewer spontaneous abortions on the pill than in a woman who is sexually active and does not use birth control.
On adoption, talk to my friends who have had repeated failed domestic adoptions and gave up and went to other countries. Meanwhile there are a gazillion children in the foster system, many of whom were originally not wanted in the first place. Make adoption easier for the adopting parents, so that when they have induced lactation and have nursed that baby for 3 weeks starting immediately after birth, they don’t end up with that baby torn out of their arms because the birth mother changed her mind.
Ultimately, do what you can to support mothers *and* fathers who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant. Yeah, fathers. But please don’t judge the women who deem themselves unable to carry a baby to term when you may not understand the ramifications of that pregnancy.
Will
It is sad that it is so difficult and costly to adopt. Our government should work on that issue. And you are correct, we should be judging anyone for their choices. We need to love and support them…as the author said.
Traci S
I absolutely agree with you about how difficult and expensive it is to adopt. There’s so much red tape to go through to adopt through the government that many people (the ones that can afford it) end up doing private adoptions. Its ridiculous how many children are stuck “in the system” because its not easier to adopt.
link
I have been so bewildered in the past but now it all makes sense!
Louise paolo
Why is he allowed to have any kind of chance to complete his life? His life should end the same way he murdered all of the poor little souls he destroyed before they could bloom.
Leigh White
I hurt so much reading this I almost can’t stand it. I get super sad when I read about people who not only had abortions but have zero regret. Why? I guess it all comes down to a spiritual issue? Understand that God sees what’s done in secret and not only does he see, he loves and defends the helpless. And still has mercy on those who repent. They are humans in God’s eyes…Psalm 139… created on purpose…not just a byproduct of chance. Please take time to watch 180, the movie. Ugh..my heart hurts.
Heather Hall
Didja read the part about how much it would screw up my body and my mental health? And that losing that baby by choice allowed me to be available to be a good healthy mother (although my pregnancies were still a train wreck both times, just not to the same level) for 2 more babies? I would have never had more children if I had allowed the first to grow, and I may not have been able to carry to term. You just can’t decide these things for another person. And I find the teachings of Christ to be wonderful in general but I definitely do not buy into most of the bible and definitely not Christianity as a religion, it just brings so much judgement and self righteousness into the world. It makes me feel so yucky I couldn’t face it until I found strength in my faith elsewhere. Now I can at least have a civil discussion. Keep your laws off my body!
Elly McMashehu
In response to your loaded question (thank you for asking! It’s a great question!):
During the era of the Nazi regime, talking about why murdering Jews is wicked would have been beneficial, but it would not have been enough: Christians stood up and spoke up against the regime (and many lost their lives because of it), and other Christians hid Jews to protect them. Today, if we were to speak up for our pre-born neighbors we have no such threats to our liberty and life, and yet we have not yet flooded the front of abortuaries, pleading for babies’ lives with the Word of God and Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most babies are dragged into abortuaries without even one Christian outside, begging for the child’s life to be spared, and offering love and help to the mom.
Pleading for babies’ lives with the Word of God and gospel of Jesus Christ outside of your local abortion clinic is work for simple Christians like us. If any Christian is interested in starting up such a gospel outreach, please message me through FaceBook (Elly McMashehu). I would be more than happy to help you in any way I can, and I have a list of simple tips in getting such a gospel outreach started, as well as some other helps. Please do not hesitate to contact me, for the sake of those precious little babies, and for the sake of the glory of Christ our Savior.
In loving obedience and trust in Jesus Christ, we can go to these dark corners of our cities and plead for those babies’ lives, rather than just driving by the abortuaries.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Rachel
If you want to prevent abortion why not try to prevent the pregnancies in the first place? Find out the reasons the conceptions are taking place and work on that.
Cheryl M
I haven’t read through all the comments, only the first several. I’m going to be odd woman out here. There is a difference between what this man did and a legal abortion. He’s being tried and will be convicted because he broke the law. But what he did should not be equated to abortions made legal under Roe v Wade. They are not the same thing.
My feelings about being pro-choice aren’t about abortion at all. They are about my right as a human being to decide what happens to my body. Whether I personally ‘believe in’ abortion is immaterial, and frankly, no one’s business but mine. But I am staunchly pro-choice. What I believe in is the idea that it’s not my place to make that kind of decision for someone else. I have my religion and my beliefs and my faith. And that faith guides me. Why should my beliefs (or your beliefs) dictate what someone else is able to do with their own body or in their own lives? They shouldn’t. In fact, that’s one of the most basic tenets of our society’s laws – that religion will not dictate laws and laws will not infringe upon religion.
Should this man be prosecuted? Oh yes. Should this be held up in the discussion about legal access to abortions and women’s rights? Absolutely not. The two aren’t remotely the same.
I realize that for so many people, abortion is a hot issue. It’s all about emotions and religious beliefs. But the reality is that it shouldn’t be. Abortion is a very personal thing that no one should decide except the person faced with it. I wonder sometimes if people realize the irony of forcing laws to be made that follow one specific religious path. If it weren’t so frightening, it would be laughable. Unfortunately, it’s just the way our country has progressed. I sometimes wonder how sad it would make Jesus to see how self-righteous people have become in His name as to believe their way should be forced onto everyone else.
Heather Hall
Excellent post! I agree wholeheartedly, I got hung up on the abortion part and you are correct that’s truly not the issue here.
Karen
sentiments similar to yours have been made here and there…thanks for your comments – I feel much the same.
One of my questions is, why is it ok to tell me I can’t be on the pill because life begins at conception (and the pill doesn’t necessarily prevent that) and it is against your religion, but heaven forbid legislating healthcare for everyone or provide birth control to anyone who wants it because it infringes on their rights?
Tommie
Nobody said you can’t be on the pill. Actually, nobody mentioned the pill at all in this post. People fall on different sides of that debate as well. If your convictions allow you to use the pill and you have researched it, then use it. Some Christians do, while others don’t.
And I think Jesus would be pretty appalled at the amount of abortions that have taken place in our country. He would love the people as we see in the NT, but we also see righteous indignation from him. He loved people but called them to a higher purpose. You remember he turned over the tables in the temple and called the Pharisees some pretty harsh things while still trying to love them.
Being pro-life is not about religion. True most pro-life supporters are religious, but there are plenty that are not.
Lastly, what this man did is heinous and atrocious. I get sick at my stomach when I see this. The word holocaust as used in the title of the article is completely accurate, as a holocaust (lowercase) can refer to any genocide or slaughter of a large number people. And since many believe that a fetus is a person at conception, abortion does indeed fit that label.
Also….to say this man does not represent other abortionists is a gross understatement. Others may not seem as harsh or grotesque, but babies are still killed regardless. True he did things that would not happen a normal abortion clinic, but life is still be extinguished either way. We have friends whose twins were born at 23 or 24 weeks, and they are healthy, growing girls. In some states, they could have still been aborted using some of the same or similar later-term procedures inside the womb that this lunatic used outside the womb. The only difference is that it takes place before the baby is actually born. Please explain to me how that is not murder? Babies have a heartbeat as early as 6 weeks or earlier. They may not have lungs, etc. to be viable outside the womb, but they are a human and have life. Those cells have the genetic makeup of a human and will become nothing else.
Not judging anyone for the choices that have or can make. I can’t pretend to understand what must drive these decisions and agony of it, especially if there are other factors involved such as the life of the mother. But killing a baby out of convenience because people are too self centered to take care of it is asinine and not a good reason. People know what causes pregnancy (or at least they should be educated about it). If you are not willing to take care of the child that could come from your actions, then don’t partake in those actions or use protection at the very least.
kat
“Nobody said you can’t be on the pill.”
No one here did. However many pro-lifers are against artificial birth control.
Jennifer
Bravo, Tommie!! You, Heather and I seem to be on the same page (even if situations have been different). I don’t know ANYONE who is “pro-abortion”. And anyone who has been in that situation will tell you what a difficult decision it is. I have counseled many women who considered abortion, and none of them were anxious to make a decision, but they made (what they felt) was the right decision for them.
womenspeakingforwomen
So Cheryl, you believe what Gosnell did was illegal, even though his clinic operated “legally” for all those years with complaints filed constantly all those years? During that time Pennsylvania, for 18 years had abolished any inspections for abortion clinics, do you think that was good? Pennsylvania basically gave all abortion mills free reign without any accountability and being that every abortion is money, you better believe more than just Gosnell took advantage of that.
So, being that you think his acts were illegal, then you would be in favor of the same accountability that a regular surgi center is reguired to have for all abortion mills to prevent what happened with Gosnell, right?
Summer
Thank you for this post! The action items you listed are all great things to do – especially supporting unwed mothers. We also need to be sure to support those who have experience with abortion, but have realized it is wrong and sought the Lord’s forgiveness. Who are we to judge someone that God has declared clean?
I think one of the biggest things we can do is to pray. Praying is not “just praying”. When we pray, we are approaching the throne of God and petitioning the Lord Almighty. He is the one who can work miracles. He is the one who can change hearts. He is the one who can end this forever.
Cindy
Your “list of actions” is a great one. 19 years ago I read an article entitled “Put Down Your Sign and Pick Up a Child,” written by a foster care social worker. That article was the final impetus for my husband and me. Since then we’ve been foster parents to over 20 children, adopted 2, had two unwed mothers live with our family for a period of time, financially supported other families who were adopting, gave respite care to families struggling to raise these wounded children, etc. There are so many ways to love through this issue. No, we cannot remain silent.
Becky
Thank you for posting this story! I think it is so easy for people to look the other way and not be concerned about what is going on in their own neighborhoods. You mentioned Nazi Germany and I cannot help but think of the videos that I have watched from this era. After the Americans liberated many of the concentration camps they made the people in the towns walk through them to see what was going on in their communities. They had no idea the horrors that were taking place down the street. There is video of them walking into the camps laughing and joking because they were oblivious. After they had walked through and seen the bodies they were visibly shaken from what had occurred. How is this issue any different from the abortion issue today? Many people have no idea what is going on in their neighborhood. Those people surrounding Gosnell’s office are a testimony to that. I pray that God would open our eyes to these things and move the hearts of the people in this country to begin to value life and to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you again for speaking out and not being silent on this issue like so many others have so chosen.
Suzy B
Thank you SOOOO much for being bold to write this. You have written exactly what has always been on my heart about this issue. And as the wife of a pregnancy resource center director (and former pro-life non-profit worker myself), I am actually relieved that people are starting to get upset again about abortion – enough to finally DO something about it. And that doesn’t include judging and pointing fingers at all the “evil” people. So THANK YOU for sharing what God has placed on your heart to share. He is using it in a big way!! May He bless you and your family for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves!
Jennifer
http://prospect.org/article/five-lessons-we-should-learn-gosnell-case
This article has excellent things to consider when talking about the Gosnell case.
Dianna
Erin,
I’ve been a reader for a while, but this is the first time I’ve clicked over to comment on a post.
Thank you.
Thank you for speaking out, for these tiny infants whose voices have been ignored and systematically silenced.
Like you, I hold my youngest baby (now 10 months) and sob. Even while pregnant with her, I would wake up in the middle of the night, horrified by the thought that somewhere, a woman was having an abortion …. Choosing to kill a tiny, beautiful child in the place where children should be safe.
As a Catholic woman, defending the pro life movement is paramount to my faith. We champion the unborn, fight against the death penalty, and stand in support of our elderly brothers and sisters. We stand to protect people, from conception to a natural death.
This past week, I’ve been asking myself, ‘what are you really doing to support this movement?’ I was pretty vocal in the ‘end the media blackout’ on Twitter, but feel like I’m being called to do more.
My daughter and I went Friday evening to serve as greeters for the Kentucky Right to Life Association’s annual Celebration of Life banquet. Rachel worked alongside her fellow American Heritage Girls and welcomed guests to the dinner. I was thrilled to be able to meet (and hug) Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director and now a pro life champion. (If you don’t know her story, I’d encourage you to check it out)
Thank you for posing your thoughts on what we can do to support women in crisis pregnancies …. These are wonderful. I’d add a few more.
In cities across the world, you’ll find 40 days for life …. They have sidewalk campaigns and pray in front of abortion clinics. Their campaigns are usually in the spring and fall. Women who go to seek an abortion often feel they have no other choice. Sidewalk counselor can be the difference in these women’s lives.
I’d also encourage your readers who are Christians to pray for the doctors and clinic workers. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but these people are also God’s children. I pray for a conversion of hearts and minds with these folks, to ask for God’s mercy.
Once again, thank you so much for this post.
Emily S.
I came across your blog post today and truly believe that God led me to you! Preventing abortion has been a cause near and dear to my heart for several years now, but now that I have my own 4-month old, it kills me. The Kermit Gosnell trial hit while I was on my maternity leave and constantly brought me to tears every time I read about it. All I could do when I read the horrific articles was pray. After one such prayer, I was looking around online and randomly came across an idea to do a diaper drive. I had been searching for adoption agencies to volunteer my time with, but I suddenly realized there was a second half of the issue I hadn’t even thought about: helping mothers with an unplanned baby. Why hadn’t I thought of that?! I talked to my sister and we came up with all sorts of ideas to help. But them the idea stalled…I couldn’t think of what kind of organization could use my help. Fast forward to today and this blog post. I’ve been doing some reading on being a Christian wife because I don’t think I’m doing a great job at being a wife since my baby was born. I ended up here and saw your suggestion to volunteer with a local pregnancy resource center. Two minutes later I had the contact information for the director of the pregnancy resource center in my county. I’m going to contact him tonight to see if he thinks they could benefit from a diaper drive.
It’s so amazing to feel God at work. 🙂
Erin
Wow, Emily!!!! That gives me chills!! Praise The Lord!!! Thank you so much for sharing this testimony! It does sound providential! Congrats to you on your new baby!!! 🙂
Emily
I wanted to share another small thing you can do: use a pro-life OB/GYN. You can find listings at aaplog.org.
Debra
Bravo! A well written, needful post. Offering truth, mercy and grace.
Holly
Erin, do you know about the effort to crowdfund a movie on Kermit Gosnell’s trial and the media’s silence? If they don’t meet their goal by May 12, all funds will go back to the donors and the movie won’t be made.
I believe this movie will save lives and touch hearts, and that even a $1 gift makes a powerful statement. Their Twitter handle is @GosnellMovie, and their website is GosnellMovie.com.
Thank you for allowing me to bring this to your attention.
Hannah
I wrote something about abortion a few years ago because I was so fed up hearing people say “do what is right for you” and all that. The blog post was a little heated because I was in the moment. Worth a read.
http://daleandhannah.com/blog/2012/02/11/rights-and-wrongs/
Erika
I was 18, and doing things that young and reckless 18 year olds do. Despite being raised in an extremely lax and liberal home, I always felt that abortion is wrong. When I found out I was pregnant, my dad said “Well, you can take care of that.” Thankfully, my mom helped advocate for my values. I can’t imagine not having my oldest (of now 5) daughter in my life (and she’s a huge Grandpa’s girl too)! She is a blessing and proves everyday that she is here for His purpose! Come spring, she will be graduating college with a double major.
Alissa
I am the founder of a doula group in my community and THIS is one of the biggest reasons that we have decided to become a non-profit this year. We no longer want to be considered a luxury service for some but be available to all who need loving guidance and support through pregnancy. And even more specifically, I, want to help those that find themselves dealing with unplanned pregnancies and offer them support that they might not be getting from anyone else in their lives. I can no longer sit by and let babies lives be taken. We have to find more ways to stand in the gaps for those women who are confused and lost and desperately in need of someone to help them through the hard places. Thank you for writing this. It definitely reminds me why I do what I do.
beth
As a single mom, I thank you for the compassionate article. I think the lack of community and support is the most prevalent thing. Single moms are really looked down on in society and the statistics and such are often just thrown at us. I have become a completely different person in the two years that my daughter has been alive. I am so thankful that I chose to keep her. She has been such a blessing. It is actually a Focus on the Family parenting book that led me to decide to keep her. There was a section on abortion and adoption, and it said something along the lines that everything is a season. We just have to get through the season and find the blessing in it. That gave me hope and courage that I could parent alone.
MK
In addition to fighting abortion, I believe that honest and ethical approaches to addressing abortion also include providing factual sexual education to every person of procreative age in our culture and providing structural support for women – young or old – who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy and chose not to abort. Whether due to rape of poorly planned choices, unplanned pregnancies are likely to occur as long as there are humans around. Better choices can be encouraged, but I encourage everyone who wants to fight abortion to think about what it would take to end abortion. Are we willing as a society to provide medical care and assistance for children so that desperate pregnant women won’t be tempted to abort? Are we willing to affirm that every 12 year old should truly understand what can and can not lead to pregnancy, via factual sex ed, so that urban myths which lead them to believe that doing a, b, or c won’t get them pregnant, won’t have a foothold in their lives and lead to choices based on misperception? I’m willing to pay a few more tax dollars so that other people’s children, who don’t have the benefit of good teaching at home, can receive this info and support. I wish every church also supported such efforts. But until I hear anti-abortion advocates calling for these reforms in a loud voice, I don’t believe we will see this change in our society.
MK
Rape “or” poorly planned choices (or failed birth control, I should add)
Kathleen Ojo @ My Ojos
Wonderful post. I am probably not your intended audience – I am not a Christian, and identify as pro-choice. However, my problem with the pro-choice movement is oddly similar to my problem with the pro-life movement. Neither one empowers and educates women to understand ALL their options, and though everyone talks, we don’t do much to actually provide options to women. Stop protesting, stop condemning, and just LOVE. If the resources exist – families wanting to adopt, communities willing to step in and support a mother and a family with an unplanned baby, policies that make it easier for women to return to work after having a baby (paid leave, affordable childcare, breastfeeding support, etc) – I really do believe that women will consider these options, including abortion, and 99% of them will choose LIFE every time. We are trying to fix the situation by legislating on the wrong things, by taking away what some women feel is the only option and not giving them better options. The alternatives you suggest here are good ones. Thank you.
Kathe
One of the hardest moments in my life was when a Dr. told me I had suffered a “spontaneous abortion”…I had lost a baby at 14 weeks’ and. I had to name and bury that baby….that was almost 39 years ago…the pain is still with me…I have carried 9 babies, lost 4 …and not a day goes by that I don ‘t wonder what my Angel babies look like or what their families would be…
Amanda
Have you been to the abolishhumanabortion.com website?
After reading through what God says about murder I’d love to hear if you’d change anything about your blog. I’ve never read your blogs before but I came across it on fb and noticed you proclaim to follow Christ. Let me know what you think about the scriptures the website points out.
Abolish human abortion!!!
Repent America!!!!!!
Take no part in the evil works of darkness, but rather expose them!!!
Amanda May
D
I had an abortion. I had cancer and without an abortion I could not get surgery to get rid of the cancer while it was small enough to get rid of. I already had three young daughters I loved more than my own life. I was married at the time to an abusive alcoholic. I imagined my three girls without me because I saved their little sister, but not myself. Their life would have been a sad and lonely one without their mommy to take over and hide them from their father’s addiction issues. It was a decision no mother should have to make honestly.
I talked it over with other women, should I keep the baby and may be die right after it’s born or get the surgery and know my three children I already had are safe? If I have cancer can’t the baby get it? The answer is yes by the way. I would have to go an entire 7 to 8 months before I could give birth. If the cancer was aggressive, I could die before I even gave birth.
So I had an abortion. I had the surgery to get rid of the cancer 4 days later. I had an all clear from cancer for two years. I got pregnant again. I was healthy until the 6th month. This time I had cancer in a new area that could not be removed easily with surgery. My doctors insisted I start aggressive treatments for it, but I refused because it could damage the baby. I only had two months to go. I could make it two months now that I had left my alcoholic and abusive ex husband, I knew my children would be safe with my new husband if I passed. I knew that two months wasn’t a long time and babies have the best chance of fighting cancer.
I got sicker. I got fevers all the time. My lungs collapsed. I was unconscious most days. Then, I started to get better about two weeks before giving birth. Suddenly I wasn’t as sick I could hold down food. I could get out of bed and walk again. When I gave birth, my daughter was beautiful. I found out later, I was cancer free. I don’t know how it happened. It probably went into remission. That was 11 years ago and so far thank God, goodness, or whatever I have not had cancer since. However, I have had two more children and a wonderful life.
An abortion is a last resort to save a life in my view, but who am I to judge another for when they believe their life is in danger. Technically I could have waited to have the child, but should I have died my children would have had a horrific childhood. I didn’t feel that saving a small yet wonderful little piece of me, not yet capable of feeling pain as I was very very early into my pregnancy, was worth the life of three fully functioning beautiful little girls that could feel pain and the sunshine and rain drops on their noses. May be I was wrong, but I do not regret making the decision I made. I regret I was ever put in such a position.
Patricia Fleming
I do not have a blog to speak out on the topic of abortion…however I do post on FB on the subject. I volunteer at a Christian-based crisis pregnancy center every week. It isn’t always easy to counsel these young women, but who will if we don’t? They leave knowing that they are loved and cared about. We are available 24 hours a day (on phone) if it is after office hours. We also do post-abortion counseling because so many of these women are hurting badly. We share God’s Word. If someone comes in determined to get an abortion (which we do NOT provide), we first empower them with the facts about abortion using a pamphlet our state puts out. It is just pure fact and description about the various forms of abortion. The vast majority of women do not know any of the facts. They are in crisis and need to take some time to think about things. Our clinic also provides free sonograms…that is quite often a “turning point.” We also provide assistance to women who have babies to the best of our ability and offer parenting classes for moms and dads. Please everyone, look in the phone book for your closest crisis pregnancy center and help however you can. Prayers are always needed for the counselors as well as the women in crisis. God Bless you for bringing this topic out!
Jessica Nelson
I didn’t think my husband and I were ready to have a baby, and we had just graduated from college with lots of debt. I had just been diagnosed with lupus. I had always believed that women should have a right to have an abortion, if done early. I actually took the morning after pill as prescribed, and still got pregnant. Thankfully, I decided not to have an abortion. It was a rocky high risk pregnancy, that ended with preeclampsia, a beautiful 33 week preterm baby girl, and a lupus flare
Now, I look at my beautiful 3 year old girl and I thank God that life doesn’t always go as planned. I am now pro-life.