Ok, let me lay this out for your really quick. I don't like Planned Parenthood, and I think they are an evil vile company. Abortion for me is very black and white. If you are a Christian and if you believe the Bible to be true then you will be against abortion. That's not to say there are not those who are Christians who have had abortions, and have to live with that decision for the rest of their life. Each one of makes countless mistakes in our lives, but God is faithful and gracious even through our constant failures.
I don't agree with abortion. I don't like Planned Parenthood. However, this isn't about either one those things.
It's about the next step.
You see, I think there are a great deal of well meaning Christians who don't agree with abortion. I think there are many who see what Planned Parenthood is: a wicked organization. If that is true (and I agree with you) then here is my next question: What is your plan?
Do you think the young females who are going to Planned Parenthood are going to stop getting pregnant? Unlikely. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of the time us as the church stands up against something without having a game plan for those who come to us needing help. Right or wrong, the world sees the church stand against abortion, but also sees a organization that as a whole isn't willing to make a difference.
Here is where I am going. If we the church truly want to make a difference and stand against abortion then we need to lead the charge in finding a home for these babies. We need to lead the charge in being a difference in the lives of a young child. We need to be the front running in the adoption movement. I know many families that have done this, but unfortunately there are many more out there that could still be doing this. Do you want to make a difference? Here are some thoughts...
1. Adoption - As I mentioned, the church should be leading this. We should be the driving force in the world for making adoptions a reality. It is really not about the money, because while adoptions are expensive, God can provide the money. What better way to live out the gospel then to bring a child into your home?
2. Foster Care - My family and I have never done foster care, although we certainly would be open to it. We know people who have done foster care, and it is a tough road to take. Many people fear that they will become close to a child they eventually have to see walk away. However, here is word of encouragement. Wouldn't it be better to go through some pain knowing that you possibly could impact a child's life that otherwise might never be impacted?
3. Financial Support - There are those out there who don't believe God has called them to adopt or work with foster care, although I do think that for many it is an excuse. But, there are those that truly do believe God has closed the doors for them. If that is the case, then supporting the adoption movement is a natural option. Sponsor a child through Compassion International, support a local adoption agency or help an orphanage of a missionary friend you know are great options.
So, where do we go from here? If we are willing to stand against abortion and Planned Parenthood, then we need to have a plan of action in place.
What will that plan of action be?
3 comments:
I wish this was the case -- that adoption, foster care, etc... would slow adoptions, but the stats simply say otherwise. Many women who are having abortions are doing so because they don't want to be inconvenienced. I've lost track of the number of times, my friends who are Life/Pregnancy counselors hear women say, "I can't bear to give my child up" and then proceed with the abortion. The mentality is that if I am caused any inconvenience, could suffer from guilt, am not ready, whatever -- abortion is the surest way to resolve things.
There are MILLIONS of American couples who would LOVE to adopt a child from an American family. It's closer, easier, less costly...but they can't. There simply aren't enough babies available. Thus, they are going over sees and paying huge money to bring home a child. Many have been scammed in the process.
The same goes with financial support--these same families and many churches would gladly take a pregnant women in...but they don't want to go through the hassle and then the life-long commitment to that child.
We have a culture in this country that devalues life. It is this callous disregard for the least of these combined with a narcissistic selfishness that is allowing the slaughter of millions of innocents.
My question is a tough one. How would history judge us if we stood outside the gates of Auschwitz, knowing what was going on behind them to millions of people, and then doing nothing or something that allowed the slaughter to continue? It's a question that future generations may ask of us. Whether slavery, genocide, sex trafficking or any other criminal conduct that violates God-given right to life, our generation seems so desensitized that we are content spitting on an inferno of hellish proportions.
Dan -- Father of 4 adopted children, 3 of which were saved by a Crisis Pregnancy Center.
Dan, Thank you for your incredible insight. I agree that the abortion rate will not change necessarily, I guess my thought is that we as the church needs to think through ways that we can go above and beyond instead of just stating our opposal to abortion. I think all of these issues are difficult to think through but also need to be thought through.
Feel free to continue on flushing this out with me, I appreciate your words. Stay strong,
Craig
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