Recently the left celebrated the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Who did not celebrate this monument to “individual freedom” were 55,000,000 (that’s 55 million) individuals who were never born because of Roe v. Wade. That’s over a million children a year for four decades that never saw the light of day. These were carpenters, artists, doctors… some with brilliant minds who might have cured diseases or made any number of astounding contributions. Discarded for convenience…
Recently Obama surrounded himself with children (living children) to promote his upcoming attacks on the Second Amendment. He called them “the most vulnerable” in our society. Really? If Obama’s plans come to complete fruition (let us pray that they don’t) the left claims it will save upwards of 7,500 lives over the next several decades… vs. millions he is willing to let die…
We Christians catch a lot of grief defending the rights of children to be born; children who are wanted desperately by adoptive parents. But the world says we don’t “respect the woman’s right to her body”; not that we do respect the lives of the innocent.
We Christians also catch a lot of grief when we theorize that perhaps our national woes are because we have turned our collective national backs on God and are now suffering the consequences. But I admit, I feel this to be true; abortion being the greatest of our many national sins against God.
Abraham Lincoln said as much concerning American slavery over a Century ago “If God wills that [the war] continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s 250 years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”
Lincoln also said, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.”
I have to admit I don’t live up to that latter ideal. I have malice towards those I see perpetuating the great sins of our nation; especially the sin of one million plus dead children in just the past year. I have malice toward those do not or will not see the right that is obvious.
I do hope and pray they see the error of their ways. I pray for wisdom which (I believe) would result in repentance (change). Failing that, I pray that their days in power be numbered and few.
For myself, I pray for the same. Wisdom, though it is sure to bring sorrow; Obedience, though it is sure to bring scorn; Faith, for I do not know His plans; and Patience, for I do not know His timing.
[Hat Tip: Columns from Cal Thomas & Marvin Olasky greatly influenced and contributed to this blog posting.]
Hebrews 12:5-7
Don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
>> Personal… Hmm. I’m not gay.
Yes, I know that.
>> I have gay friends, but that’s not it.
OK. Last I’ll say about it. But I’m sticking to my guns. This is not a general issue for you.
>> It’s no different than founding a nation based on liberty, while owning slaves.
Many, many blacks don’t agree and are insulted by that; and either they are right to be (my opinion) or just homophobic (yours).
I don’t mind talking about it; I’m just unsure of what you’re implying.
I don’t think the oppression of gays is an equal injustice to slavery. It’s simply an injustice.
I suppose there might be a connection to my questions about God: If he doesn’t like homosexuality, as described in the Bible, why does he make so many gays? Sexuality is a complex aspect of human nature, both biological and behavioral, so it’s not a clean-cut subject.
On the 55 million thing… interesting section of Freakonomics points out the sudden drop in the crime rate 18 years after Roe v Wade. I know this is a practical aspect of a topic that also has a spiritual side, but it’s still worth considering: Do unwanted kids turn into violent criminals more often than they turn into doctors and artists?
http://www.freakonomics.com/books/freakonomics/chapter-excerpts/chapter-4/
>> On the 55 million thing… interesting section of Freakonomics points out the sudden drop in the crime rate 18 years after Roe v Wade.
There may or may not be a correlation. That was the early 90s and I believe we (the U.S) started ramping up incarceration in the early to mid 80s. By the early 90′s we had 4 times the number people behind bars as we did in the early 70s; a huge increase in percentage of population. (That percentage is even higher today… I think).
Date: In 1973 we incarcerated 204,211… by 1991 we incarcerated 789,610… There’s your reduction in crime.
From the research I’ve done; I’m convinced that the key to lower crime is locking away as long as possible the small percentage of repeat offenders. Mandatory minimums and three strike rules is what really curbs crime.
>> it’s still worth considering
I’m really doubtful of the abortion tie to crime stats… but I’m willing to look at the data (but all the data).
Even if I was convinced there is a correlation. My solution is not to kill the innocent for what they might do; but rather to help them not go down that path once in this world. (And no, I’m not talking about government programs…)
>> I know this is a practical aspect of a topic that also has a spiritual side
Agreed… but you just don’t kill children for crimes they might commit.
>> Do unwanted kids turn into violent criminals more often than they turn into doctors and artists?
I don’t think so. Especially when you consider that there is no such thing as an unwanted child when you expand the pool of parents beyond the biological.
Ugh. I hate this in myself. About to go to church; was checking in to see if you’d commented. Was thinking about this passage:
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.
If the fruits are indeed 55 million dead, that’s a horror story.
Does life begin at conception? Is the termination of a pregancy at two days (by a pill) the same thing as three months (by horrible surgery)?
I can remember hearing Chloe’s heartbeat when she was about five months, and I felt like it was sacred.
I wish I wasn’t burdened by perpetual buyer’s remorse. Every time I make a decision, I quickly regret it — whether it was right or wrong. It was such a joy *not* to have that last weekend in Katy. When I ran the game, it felt good — but part of that was because I’d given myself very low expectations.
Sorry, that’s a pitiful comparison, and I’m rambling. Hop you have a blessed Sunday.
>> I don’t mind talking about it; I’m just unsure of what you’re implying.
That someone very close to you is gay and influences your opinion on this issue.
>> I suppose there might be a connection to my questions about God
There is no doubt about it.
>> If he doesn’t like homosexuality, as described in the Bible, why does he make so many gays?
The answer is simple. He doesn’t.
But you have chosen to put your faith in the pseudo-science that says homosexuality is completely genetic and there is no choice in the matter. You refuse to question that faith (because I believe the issue is so personal for you); so you tell God he’s got to change.
My approach is to put my faith in God and that he wouldn’t create men fated to be “hated and condemned by Him”. I use a little observation and common sense to deduce that homosexuality (like so many other sins) probably has a genetic predisposition; but we still have free will (some call it choice) to deny our sinful natures (be they homosexuality, pedophilia, drunkenness, or kleptomania).
At the same time I trust God when he says he loves all sinners, homosexuals and me, and wants us repent (change). I know that all sinners struggle with their particular burdens. And I know that some sinners simply choose not to address the issue and indulge their sin. For those who choose sin, the world (and Satan) is eager to give them a broad road of excuses. The popular excuse of the day is, “It’s not your fault… It’s completely genetic.”
>> Sexuality is a complex aspect of human nature, both biological and behavioral, so it’s not a clean-cut subject.
Maybe. But God isn’t. I have faith in his love and forgiveness. It’s my only hope.
>That someone very close to you is gay and influences your opinion on this issue.
Maybe so. I think in my case it’s several people, not super-close friends, but close enough.
>But you have chosen to put your faith in the pseudo-science that says homosexuality is completely genetic and there is no choice in the matter.
If I said that, I made a mistake. I believe human sexuality is complex. It is largely, but not entirely, genetic. The most compelling study I’ve heard of is a separated twin study that found if your twin brother was gay, there was a higher than 50% chance you were gay, but if your twin sister was gay, there was less than a 50% chance you were gay. My observations have been that women are more likely to cross over the line, experiment, and come back (or not). Men tend to be more dedicated to one team or the other. I’ve known one bi, and he was a narcisistic sociopath; I hope that’s not indicative, that he was just a jerk.
>> Ugh. I hate this in myself. About to go to church; was checking in to see if you’d commented. Was thinking about this passage:
Sorry, I’ve had a very busy weekend. I invited my nieces and nephews over to my house Saturday afternoon, night, and Sunday morning to watch Transformers, play video games, eat pizza rolls and popcorn, and drink Big Read. It requires a constant vigil to make sure my house doesn’t collapse or burn down.
>> Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.
This is a verse I pay attention to quite a bit in this day and age. The global warming guys in particular bear this out.
I don’t really see the abortion issue in terms of false prophets as much as the nation collectively turning its back on God. Just like the Jews have repeatedly done for thousands of years. At the same time God has been faithful and forgiving; but he lets us suffer for our mistakes in hopes that we learn. I think God is a firm believer and karma… and we’re getting a big dose of it right now.
>> If the fruits are indeed 55 million dead, that’s a horror story.
This is just one aspect of getting what we ask for because we don’t know any better.
>> Does life begin at conception? Is the termination of a pregnancy at two days (by a pill) the same thing as three months (by horrible surgery)?
You’ll have to answer that for yourself. All I know is life is cheap in America, and I think the value (or lack of) that we place on the unborn is reflected in the value we place on each other’s lives. Thus we are able to kill for a few dollars or because we’re upset that our Mom seems to value a school more than us.
>> I can remember hearing Chloe’s heartbeat when she was about five months, and I felt like it was sacred.
It was. It’s amazing that one of the biggest things affecting women to choose not to abort it better technology… ultra-sounds.
>> I wish I wasn’t burdened by perpetual buyer’s remorse. Every time I make a decision, I quickly regret it — whether it was right or wrong.
You are one of the most wish-washy people I know…
I can only offer you my expert advice as I offer to couples, parents, and thin people. Stop it! 
>> It was such a joy *not* to have that last weekend in Katy. When I ran the game, it felt good — but part of that was because I’d given myself very low expectations.
My impression was everyone enjoyed your get together. And it was good to hear that you had the same problems with N.R. as I have to deal with on a regular basis.
>> Sorry, that’s a pitiful comparison, and I’m rambling. Hop you have a blessed Sunday.
I did.
>All I know is life is cheap in America
Well said. Our suicide and murder rates are terrible for a (supposedly) first-world nation.
>You are one of the most wish-washy people I know…
It’s called “friendly,” you troglodyte.