John Oliver and the Abortion Issue

John Oliver recently aired a segment on abortion laws on his show "Last Week Tonight".  I'm not sharing it here, as it contained some inappropriate material and language.  If you would like to view it, the video is easily accessible on YouTube.  It was definitely eye-opening to see how vulgar and senseless the pro-choice side can be.  I'll sum up some of the key points.

Something he said that I found very interesting was that "legal abortions have a mortality rate of 0.00073%."  I'm sorry, John, but have you not been educated about the fact that every abortion takes the life of a beautiful child?  In reality, legal abortions have a mortality rate of 100%.  It's pretty common knowledge that "fetuses" are fully human, and science fully supports that fact.

He also knocked laws that required women to be shown an ultrasound before choosing an abortion.  So let me get this straight--you want women to make a decision as big as an abortion without being educated on what that decision entails?  As someone who is for women and their health, I am surprised that you would not want a pregnant woman to do her research and learn about the choices available before she makes a decision.

John showed a clip of an abortion clinic worker who was upset that laws forced her to turn away a 13-year-old victim of rape, who wanted to get an abortion.  He claimed that because of that, the girl had been "sentenced to motherhood".  What he failed to say was that adoption is a beautiful option for girls and women in that situation.  That if a girl of that age is not ready for motherhood (which is, of course, completely understandable), there are other options available to her.  Unfortunately, many women faced with a crisis pregnancy are not educated about other possibilities.

"Every single one of us watching this right now believes that it [abortion] should be legal..."--this was a claim that John made after asking the 19% of Americans who believe that abortion should be illegal under any circumstances to change the channel while he discussed the topic.  At the end of the clip, assuming that the 19% had tuned back in, he exclaims "What the **** is wrong with you??"

Overall, the clip showed John Oliver​ knocking laws that placed increasing regulations on abortions.  It did not once consider the scientific evidence proving the humanity of unborn children.  It did not once present another option for pregnant women in distress.  It did not once speculate about the other kinds of support that a pregnant woman might need in her situation--or the pain and regret that she may feel after an abortion.  It presented one side of an issue that can, in reality, never be one-sided.

Unfortunately, many Americans are only shown that one side of the abortion issue.  Pro-life citizens are defined as extremists who are against women's health and their right to choose.  Pro-choice citizens are portrayed as warriors for the cause of women's equality and freedom.  Babies are seen as burdens, and abortions are celebrated as liberating and empowering.

Education is so important.  Science supports the humanity of the unborn child.  In my Early Childhood Development class at college, we learned about the amazing development that occurs throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy.  It is so clear that the fetus is human, but society continues to deny it.  For some reason, convenience and preference currently trump basic human rights.

But there is a stirring in the pro-life movement.  Last year, the release of the undercover Planned Parenthood videos opened America's eyes to atrocities of abortion that had not been seen before.  Legislature concerning the humanity of unborn children and the protection of those lives seems to be popping up even more often than before.  Every presidential candidate is expected to have a stance on the issue.  I believe that America is slowly waking up to the horror that is abortion.  I pray that our leaders stand for life, that our people educate themselves, and that the steady flame of the pro-life movement grows until every baby is given the number one human right that they deserve--life.

Red Cups and Bloody Hands

I am boycotting Starbucks.

It's probably not for the reason you would guess.  I could not care less about the fact that their holiday cups are just plain red, not sporting their usual snowflakes or Christmas trees.  To be quite honest, I don't personally know a single Christian who is upset about the cups.  The one guy who decided to make a video will eventually fade into the background of media once again, and the world will go back to enjoying peppermint mochas and chai lattes just as they were.

But I will be getting my coffee elsewhere.  Why?  Let me explain.

Starbucks funds Planned Parenthood.  Not directly, but they are still sending money to America's biggest abortion business.  How?  Through matching employee's donations to the baby-killing organization.  Planned Parenthood is one of the many companies on the list that employees of Starbucks can donate to, and then have their donations matched.  Those donations can range from $20-1,500! (see https://doublethedonation.com/matching-gifts/Starbucks-Corporation)

So what does this mean for you? 

I mean; it's not your money going to Planned Parenthood, so it really doesn't matter--right?

Wrong.  Where does Starbucks get the money that they are sending to Planned Parenthood?

You.  Every time you spend $5 on that delicious PSL or venti Cool Lime refresher, your money factors into the millions of dollars of profit that Starbucks rakes in every year.  Your $5 could be going to Planned Parenthood.

This is the same Planned Parenthood that has been seen on video bargaining with big companies for baby body parts.  The same Planned Parenthood that casually discusses the illegal partial-birth abortion operations that it carries out every day.  The same Planned Parenthood that took the lives of 327,653 innocent unborn children within the timeframe of one year. (see Planned Parenthood's 2013-2014 financial report) 

I don't know about you, but I don't want the money that I spend on coffee to go toward the genocide of the next generation.  Now I realize that that statement probably sounded a bit extreme.  But ever since I heard that Starbucks funds Planned Parenthood, I have known in my heart that I cannot support a company that chooses to do this.

Is it humanly possible to make sure that not a single dollar of your money will ever go to Planned Parenthood?  I highly doubt it.  But personally, I know that Starbucks coffee is most definitely something I can live without.  Something that really won't cause me inconvenience to live without.  There are so many other places to get good coffee...I'm sitting at Jittery Joe's as I type this post.  That's just one example of a great alternative to Starbucks!

Maybe these facts won't strike you in the way that they struck me.  And that's okay.  But I will never drink another Starbucks coffee until they stop funding Planned Parenthood.  Any corporation that is associated with the abortion giant has blood on their hands.  I cannot support a company that funds Planned Parenthood in any way. 

So yes, I am boycotting Starbucks.  And now you know why.  I hope you will join me.

I have made a petition asking Starbucks to cease funding to Planned Parenthood.  Please check it out, sign, and share with everyone you know!  You can find the petition by clicking here.

What Can You Do?

Sometimes, we can get overwhelmed.  There are so many different angles you could take when looking at the pro-life movement.  There is so much to do, and every day that abortion is still legal means more lives being lost.

I often feel that I am not doing anything of substance.  What exactly could this blog accomplish to put an end to the terrible practice of abortion?  I'm just one person....and I'm not Abby Johnson or Kristan Hawkins - current pro-life leaders whom I admire very much.  To be honest, I am not yet sure what part I will play in the fight to end abortion.

What I do know is that I will play a part.  My existence will add something to the ever-advancing movement.  I will do whatever I can, whenever I can.  I know God has given me this passion for a reason, and I plan to do something with it.

So what can you do?  Here are some ideas...things that I have done, or have seen others do.

1) Pray.  Pray for the mothers (those who are considering abortion, those who have aborted, those who are living with the results of their decisions).  Pray for the abortion workers, that they would turn from what they are doing and get out of the industry.  Pray for workers who have left the industry; that they would find forgiveness and peace.  Pray for pro-life leaders, and for everyone considering joining the cause.  Pray for America's politicians, that they would stand for life.  Pray for our people...that they would stand up and speak out for the speechless.

2) Run/Donate.  This last March, a friend and I participated in the Gwinnett Life Run.  Proceeds from the 1-mile, 5K, and 10K runs were donated to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett and Gwinnett Young Life.  Research to find fundraisers such as these in your area...you can stay in shape while supporting great pro-life organizations!  Even if you do not want to participate in the fundraisers, you can donate and provide your support in that manner.

3) Rally.  Just over a week ago, #WomenBetrayed rallies were held across the nation.  Pro-life advocates peacefully protested outside of Planned Parenthood facilities in various cities.  They held signs proclaiming their message to passing traffic.  On September 10th, a similar rally will be held in Washington, D.C.  Consider getting involved when events such as these are scheduled.

4) Learn.  In order to fight for the pro-life cause in an effective manner, you must know what you are fighting for and what you are fighting against.  Watch the Planned Parenthood videos.  Read up on informative articles.  Talk to workers at your local pregnancy resource center.  Know your facts.  In doing this, you will be better equipped to further our cause.

5) Educate.  Just like you should learn as much as you can about our movement, you should teach others what you are learning.  Make family, friends, and classmates aware of what is going on in the world when it comes to abortion and related issues.  If we can get rid of the ignorance currently facing our culture, we will have already won part of our battle.

These are just five ways that you can become an effective part of the pro-life movement.  It is in no way an all-inclusive list, as there are many other means by which you can get involved.  Whatever you choose, I strongly encourage you to do something.  If everyone does their part, we can move forward and abolish abortion more quickly than if only a few people were to get involved.

Below, I'm going to list some links that you can visit if you are interested in learning more about our cause.  Feel free to check them out, and to find more resources on your own!

http://studentsforlife.org/
http://www.nrlc.org/
http://onlineforlife.org/
https://www.facebook.com/abbyjohnsonprolife
https://www.facebook.com/ClaireCulwell
https://www.facebook.com/HawkinsKristan
http://callhimemmett.com/
http://www.lifenews.com/
http://liveactionnews.org/

Hate Hurts

Hate.

Hate is something that is way too often a part of the pro-life movement.  Though you may more readily expect it from pro-choicers, those who fight for life sometimes use hate as a part of arguments that they make. 

Animosity is regularly used against those who work in the abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood facilities themselves.  Executives, doctors, and assistants are on the receiving end of much anger.  Though anger aimed at abortion and the people who perform it is justified, workers will never leave the clinics if they do not feel that there is hope for them if they do.  When was the last time that a long-term battle was won using hate?  Yes, of course it is necessary to express that we disapprove of what abortion workers do.  One of the biggest problems in America is that people do not stand for what is right and against what is wrong, so our position should be clear!  But we can show our beliefs without being hateful.  Truth is necessary, but so is love.  As a Christian, I believe that it is important to show God’s grace and love to everyone, including those with whom we disagree.  We need to pray that the abortion workers will recognize what they are doing as a truly terrible thing, and that they will have the courage to get out of their current situation.

Once these workers do get out, they will likely experience a lot of guilt.  As pro-life advocates, we should also be promoters of love and forgiveness.  The pro-life leader who inspires me the most is Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood employee who changed her path and now fights for the unborn.  Testimonies like that have such an impact, and we should encourage former abortion workers to share their stories and join our fight.  If we approach them with love and grace, they will be so much more likely to do so.  I really appreciate the ministry of “And Then There Were None”, a pro-life outreach that seeks to get abortion workers out of the industry and then help them find healing.  You can learn more about this great ministry at abortionworker.com.

Mothers who choose to abort their babies are also the recipients of hate and disgust.  People throw accusations, point fingers, and assign guilt.  What they may not realize is that these women are already living with guilt.  Many of them made the decision to abort because they felt that they had no other choice.  Especially if they received counseling at a Planned Parenthood facility, they may not have had other options presented to them.  They could have felt that financial or emotional reasons would prevent them from raising a child, or they may not have thought that they were ready for motherhood.

Even though the choice to abort her baby was wrong, and the reasons behind her decision are not justified, the woman needs love and support much more than she needs judgment and condemnation.  Like the clinic workers, this woman needs to hear of the healing grace that Jesus can provide.  She needs counseling, prayer, and restoration.  We need to love the mother just as much as we love her unborn child.

The church needs to take a stand on the abortion issue.  A firm and vocal stand.  But in addition, the church needs to offer counseling and support for anyone who needs it—including reformed abortion workers and the women who went to see them.  If we really pour into hurting people, we will likely raise up even more advocates for life.  Hate does nothing to further our cause; it only hurts it.  We need to say a constant prayer for those involved in the abortion industry.  Only through the right balance of truth and love will we move forward and accomplish great things for the pro-life fight.

Don't Let It Fade

Tomorrow marks one month since the release of the first undercover Planned Parenthood video.  Since that time, five more videos have come to the surface.  I have no doubt that there will be more. 

It seems that the videos are getting progressively more atrocious.  As the month of July progressed, America witnessed high-ups in the so-called "Non-Profit Health Provider" organization say and do some truly horrendous things.  Dr. Deborah Nucatola cheerily sipped wine as she discussed the harvesting of fetal body parts.  Executive Mary Gatter joked that she wanted to buy a Lamborghini when negotiating prices for the selling of those body parts.  Savita Ginde talks about how every Planned Parenthood clinic must have the same story in case they were ever to get caught in their trafficking.  We have even seen "another boy" brutally ripped apart as his body parts are sorted for sale.  Whenever Americans may have thought it couldn't get worse, it quickly did.

But as the weeks have gone by, I have noticed something else.  Even as the revelations are growing more terrible, the American people are gradually going silent again.  The media has turned back to elections, to wildfires, to Confederate flags, and to the Middle East.  Of course these are important topics that need to be covered, but it is important that Planned Parenthood stays in the public eye until the issues that have been revealed are dealt with.

I was watching the Republican Presidential Debate a week ago, and one particular candidate angered me.  Though he claimed to be a believer in the fact that life begins at conception, his following statement was astounding: "...Roe v. Wade has been the law for 42 years, and I don’t think we should continue to try to change it."

Is this the attitude that Americans are now taking on regarding Planned Parenthood?  Just because they have been in business for almost 100 years, does that mean we should continue allowing them to do what they are doing?

We cannot let this story fade from view.  This is even a bigger issue than the question of who will be the next President of the U.S.  The lives of millions of unborn children are at stake.  Their Constitutional rights are being violated, and it is time that we as Americans stand up and do something about it.

You and I are responsible for keeping Planned Parenthood in the forefront of our country's mind.  The organization has blood on its hands, and it should not be allowed to keep those hands behind its back any longer.  If we are silent, then the blood of those unborn babies is on our hands as well.  It's time to speak up for the speechless.  Everyone needs to know what Planned Parenthood has been doing, and our government must do something about it.  Keep this story alive.  Don't let it fade.

Hashtags, Planned Parenthood, and the Issue of Awareness

In my last post, I addressed a then-popular hashtag: #LoveWins .  Now, my discussion will include two other hashtags that have recently covered social media.

#PPSellsBabyParts

and

#DefundPlannedParenthood

It may seem odd to draw more attention to something so simple as a hashtag.  But in truth, these symbols play a huge role in our social media-enhanced society.  They promote causes, spread news stories, and help people connect by giving them the ability to search for tweets and posts connected to their subject of interest.  I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing that we get so much of our information from social media.  Sure, stories spread like wildfire; but the ease with which we can "retweet" and "share" can make us comfortable in our apathy.  We feel as if we have done our part, simply by spreading the trending stories and sharing our varying opinions.  I saw a quote the other day claiming that "we are drowning in information, but starved for knowledge."  Many people only know about current events that are all over Facebook or Twitter.  They don't take the time to do additional research, to watch the news, or to educate themselves on the state of our country and the world.

Whether you are tech-savvy or not, I am sure you have at least heard of the issues involving Planned Parenthood that have seemingly popped out of nowhere in the last couple of weeks.  Two videos were released within days of each other, recording people who went undercover and interviewed leaders of the organization Planned Parenthood.  The first video showed Dr. Deborah Nucatola discussing the illegal procedures that they use to obtain intact body parts from babies on whom they perform abortions.  These procedures are used so that the body parts can be harvested and sold for prices ranging from $30-100 each.  If you have not yet viewed this video, I would encourage it.  Though it is absolutely revolting, the interview is eye-opening; and I believe that it is necessary for Americans to spread the word about the horrors revealed within.  You can find the link by clicking here.

The second video, released soon after, shows executive Mary Gatter negotiating prices for the baby parts that Planned Parenthood acquires.  She even states at one point in the video "I want a Lamborghini."  But, of course, they would never be in it for the profit...
Watch this video here.

Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, America has quickly been made aware of these shocking disclosures by Planned Parenthood.  People have spread the word using the two hashtags that I mentioned above: #PPSellsBabyParts and #DefundPlannedParenthood.  The purpose of the first is clearly to spread the word about the organization's horrific actions, while the second insists that our citizens are tired of their tax dollars going to those who were portrayed in the videos.

Here are some of my thoughts...  Why is it now that Americans are horrified at what is going on behind the doors of Planned Parenthood facilities across the nation?  Have they become numb to the fact that abortion kills a living human being?  Is it only terrible if abortionists are committing "illegal" acts such as partial-birth abortions and selling of fetal body parts?  I did not hear the cry of "Defund Planned Parenthood" when they were simply killing babies within the boundaries of what the law allows.  

The unborn child is a human being.  Because this has been scientifically proven, it is clear that abortion is murder.  Just because the law currently in place allows for this type of genocide, does that make it right?  Why did it take so long for Americans to realize what is going on...and do they really understand why it is so wrong?


Please do not get me wrong here.  Watching those videos makes my stomach turn.  It makes me angry, sad, and absolutely disgusted.  Planned Parenthood has been breaking the law, and the horrific things that they have been doing must be stopped.  Partial-birth abortions are illegal, as is the selling of human body parts.  But may I remind you that taking the life of an unborn child is legal?  Why has there not been a national outcry against abortion itself?

Too many people go by what is politically correct, and not what is morally and logically right.

I am glad that Planned Parenthood is receiving this negative publicity. The organization has been cloaked under the guise of "trusted health care provider" for too long, and it is time that Americans realize what is really hiding behind the mask of "education" and "family planning".  I only hope that we recognize the severity of the issue that has been there all along; and the terrors of the legal but criminal act that is abortion.

"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." -Luke 8:17-

A Problem of Priority

#LoveWins

I'm sure you have seen this hashtag countless times in the last couple of days, following the Supreme Court's decision to legalize gay marriage across America.  Though I do oppose this decision, I will not get into that here.  I have a point to make...

#LifeWins

That is the hashtag that I plan to use when abortion is abolished across the United States.  Here's my question...why hasn't this happened yet?

I feel a tremendous burden when I think about the equal protection promised in the Constitution of our country.  The 14th Amendment states: "No state shall...deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

I have heard this amendment being used to defend the recent Supreme Court decision.  But if it can be used to defend a person's right to decide who they will marry (no matter the gender), then why does it not apply to the thousands of babies who are aborted every day?  Americans declare  that they don't want the law to dictate whether or not they can marry who they want to marry.  But why does the law say that people can decide whether or not unborn babies have the right to live?

Roe v. Wade was passed in 1973.  Where has our passion gone since then?  I've seen so many posts about the recent SCOTUS decision, but rarely see a word about the horrors of abortion.  This is not an attack against any of my friends on social media...it just makes me wonder when we became numb to the fact that defenseless lives are being taken every single day.  Why don't we hear about it anymore?  Why isn't there a cry for justice coming from every church in America?  Why is a stance for life rarely taken from behind a pulpit?  Why are we so worried about the possibility of offending others that we rarely, if ever, speak up for the speechless?

America is drifting further and further away from God and the moral teachings found in His Word.  I find myself asking God to help America more than I ask Him to bless it...because I know it would be against His nature to bless a country that devalues life as ours does. 

It's time for our priorities to be straight...for our passion to be strong again.  Silence is just another form of approval.  If you aren't against abortion, then you might as well be for it.  Let's redirect our passions and take our stand on the most life-and-death issue facing America today.