5 Practical Ways You Can Respond To The Planned Parenthood Videos Right Where You Live

Last updated on: August 11, 2015 at 3:17 pm by Michelle Van Loon

5 Practical Ways You Can Respond To The Planned Parenthood Videos Right Where You Live 2015-08-11T15:17:41-05:00 Michelle Van Loon

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This summer has brought a series of stunning videos from the Center For Medical Progress to our computer screens. These unfiltered videos highlight the secondary business of the selling of baby body parts after an abortion has been performed. They’re barbaric and gruesome, and all of the spin in the world `splainin’ away the cavalier talk by Planned Parenthood execs of Lamborgini purchases and how to get the most money out of each aborted child’s body parts doesn’t erase the hideous truth about what’s been going on right under our collective noses for years.

Even some who’ve been staunch pro-abortion defenders have had to rethink the consequences of their position. In his piece entitled “I Don’t Know If I am Pro-Choice Anymore”, Daily Beast columnist Ruben Navarette, Jr. recognized that he can’t unsee what he saw in those videos: “As I’ve only realized lately, to be a man, and to declare yourself pro-choice, is to proclaim your neutrality. And, as I’ve only recently been willing to admit, even to myself, that’s another name for ‘wimping out.'” He’s still pondering this might mean in terms of his long-held position, but he’s definitely moved off the dime when it comes to his own passivity. May the principles of Newton’s First Law continue in his life and the lives of many others who have been forced out of their own inertia on the subject.

Abortion had for many become a background issue. It’s been 42 years since Roe V. Wade made abortion the law of the land, and many have grown weary of fighting in the political arena what seemed to be an endless losing battle. But this summer, it’s again more than an abstract political debate. It requires some sort of response from each one of us who have been forced out of our own inertia by those videos.

I’ve been a bit player in the pro-life movement, but advocating for life has been an expression of my faith. (Truly, none of us are bit players when it comes to this issue. We’re either actors or we’re scenery.) This faith that affirms that God alone has the power to create and end life, and that every life from zygote to antiquarian has value because he chose to make it. I’ve participated in a few group marches, served for two years as a foster parent for newborns whose birth moms were considering adoption, done a bit of writing on the topic, made a few phone calls to legislators, and am currently assisting a local crisis pregnancy center (CPC) with newsletters and online communications. My family’s recent history includes adoption, unplanned teen pregnancy, and a child born with Down Syndrome. I’ve had friends who’ve chosen abortion and regretted it, and others who have seemingly shrugged off the experience. The truth about those pre-born babies – and the weak, old, flawed, broken, and unrepentant alike – is the truth about all of us: we are God’s beloved image-bearers. Even those who appear to be enemies of life.

I read the irrepresible Bob Goff’s Love Does this summer, and his words reminded me of the eternal value of the verb “love”. This summer’s Son Of Dr. Mengele videos may provide the stimulus to move those of us who hold a pro-life position from a weary “What can I do? It’s been 42 years” or “I’m just one person and this problem is so…macro” to doing somethinganything (!) because love is the opposite of inertia.

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. – Mother Theresa, pro-life champion

Here are five modest suggestions for doing somethinganything that will make a pro-life difference in someone’s life, including your own. Is there one that speaks to you?

(1) Pray. Certainly you can pray for policy changes, and for changes of heart among those working at abortion clinics and among those buying pre-born babies body parts. But sometimes, the one who needs your prayers is the young woman in your town who just found out she’s pregnant, and she doesn’t want to be. She’s scared to death. Pray life for her and her child. Pray she finds her way to her local CPC, where they’ll help her (and the baby’s father, if he’s involved) put together a support team that will enable her to choose life. While you’re at it, pray for wisdom and sensitivity for each person working at the CPC. They’re on the front lines of this battle.

(2) Buy a package of diapers or two. Donate them to the CPC, a local food pantry, or directly to a struggling mom in need.

(3) There are some excellent recovery ministries like this one for women who’ve had an abortion and now regret it. If it isn’t you, it is likely someone you know. Your local CPC can make a referral.

(4) Some of you may want to get on mailing lists of organizations like this that can keep you informed about pending legislation so you can contact your lawmakers.

(5) Your church or community may have an organization like this one or this one that can mentor teen parents. Do you have a skill or some time you can share?

What “small thing with great love” would you add to this list?

Everyday Christian life

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 4, 2015

When The Heart Waits: Chapter 6

Next Post

August 13, 2015 Long Way From Home: The Housing Crisis Lingers On

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Baggage Books Calendar Church and Ministry CVID Ecclesiology Everyday Christian life Faith Falling Upward From The Margins Housing Jesus Movement's Unintended Consequences Midlife Midlife Survey #1 Midlife Survey #2 Moments and Days Out To The Margins Pilgrim's Road Trip Regret Seminary Spiritual Formation Uncategorized What's A Nice Jewish Grandmother Like You Doing In Seminary? When The Heart Waits Writing

Select a Month June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the brother of Moses and helped him confront Pharaoh?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joshua Aaron Joseph David