Today I want to ask a question-what should one do in defense of life? Is it thoughtless or insensitive to talk about abortions? Is it wrong to be excited about the beauty of life? Just because this is something that few people talked about fifty years ago, should we be silent today? Is life better protected by those silently standing by with their morals than by those who are circulating petitions and raising awareness? That 's what I'm going to talk about today. To make it clear, these are my own beliefs and opinions at this time and place in my life. I have been years in acquiring this viewpoint. I believe that what I am doing is what God's will is for me, but that does not necessarily make other views wrong. Please forgive me if I offend any one of you readers. I am simply sharing my beliefs and world view. Thank you for your understanding.
I'll start with talking about the sensitive subject of abortion. This is an issue that differs from person to person. Most people say that they are either pro-choice, meaning that they believe that a woman has a choice to decide when and if she should have an abortion, or pro-life, which means that they are against abortion. (My understanding of the terms.) Many women have had abortions. I do not hate these women. I do not agree with their decision, but I would offer them my prayers that God would help them. Many people change sides throughout their life. Some people do not know the truths about abortion. I have educated myself through much reading and study, and I believe that abortion, at any point throughout a pregnancy, is the taking of an innocent life designed by God. I believe that life begins at conception when a baby acquires its own unique DNA code that sets them apart from its father and mother. (It is not part of its mother when it has its own DNA code.) I believe that a woman's choice should be not whether or not she can end her child's life, but whether or not she should become pregnant. I know some women do not have a choice in becoming pregnant. In that case, I believe that the baby should be allowed to live, as it was not the offender. The father would not even receive the death penalty for rape-why should the baby? To end the life of an innocent person is murder. That is why I believe that abortion is the murder of a helpless, voiceless victim. I will not force this belief on anyone, but I will share it because I believe that that is what God would have me do. I do not talk about abortions to be insensitive or thoughtless when talking about abortions. I realize that people that I know may have had abortions-there's a good possibility of that, even in Christian circles. I try to walk with care and not pressure people into my viewpoint.
I know that fifty years ago, this would have been something that few people would be talking about, much less a Christian teenager who is homeschooled and relatively "sheltered" from the world. So, why am I talking about this today when my grandparents and parents would not have in their day? My answer would be because today is today. Abortions have happened throughout history, from ancient people leaving their babies on mountains to die, to people committing infanticide, to people who abandoned babies because they could not care for them, to people procuring back alley abortions. So why should I not follow the example of those before-shut up and keep my opinions to myself? Why not think about lollipops and roses instead? Well, since I learned about abortion (maybe at age eleven or so) I was pretty much the same as I am now-how could someone do that? Except now I've learned why. Abortion has happened through the ages, but I'm sure that I'm not the first to stand against it. I know it is an uncomfortable, not so ladylike topic, but I'm Indi Raine living in today's world where abortion is a popular and available option for mothers who no longer want their children. Today is not like the past. People no longer just look away-they support abortions through their tax dollars. Tax payers are not asked if they want to support abortion centers-they are forced to. Why not research a bit, and then get involved in defunding tax payer-funded abortions? See? You are involved whether you like it or not. Governments are allowing abortions-encouraging them even with government-run facilities or help in procuring abortions. Now is no time to shake your head, cover your mouth, and say that we should not talk about abortion. LIVES are at stake here! We need ACTION to change the laws. We need people who are willing to take risks in speaking out. I read recently about women who had gone to jail for how they were protesting abortion and trying to help women make pro-life decisions. (I'm not supporting what they did; I'd need further research. However, it is clear that those women were committed to their pro-life stance.) Do I like reading about the horrors of abortion? Is it nice trying to figure out how to make a change in such sensitive grounds? Is it comforting to read statistics? NO! They make me cry. They make me angry. They make me feel hopeless, as if nothing that I could do could make a difference. I do not believe that abortion is a closed issue. Instead, those who do not know much about it need to be informed. They need to have someone brave enough to share the statistics. They need someone to be standing by for the lives of the preborn child. I know that I am a minority, but God is (I believe with all my heart) on my side. What else to I need? With God, all things are possible, right? So, I'm one person who is convinced. I will not have an abortion. I also plan on not having pre-marital sex so that I will have less chance of becoming a mom with a child who has no father. If something happens and I do end up with a crisis pregnancy, I know that God will help me. I will not be alone. Abortion will not be an option for me. So great. One person who has made a prolife decision. Maybe you agree with me. So now we know of two people who are prolife. That's truly wonderful. But will we change the laws of the land by silence? I personally believe that I have to speak up because of stories that I have read and heard-stories of women who had abortions because they had not seen a fetal development chart. Women who aborted their babies because they were lied to or threatened. Women who felt they had no other option. Women who were pro-choice until they discovered that a fetus is a life. Silent pro-life advocates did not help these women before their abortions. We can't go back and retry in this game-a life lost to this world is forever missing. Maybe if laws are enacted, petitions are circulating, prolife songs and videos are piling up on the Internet, and rallies are being held, maybe, just maybe, lives can be touched and babies saved that otherwise would have been aborted.
A life is a beautiful gift-we need to treasure each and every one.
I know my own passion is intense and sometimes bothers others because of how I talk about it or when I talk about. I realize that it may bother people. I do not mean to make you upset, but I hope that it isn't my timing or subject title that bothers you. I hope that you are being touched by the horrors of what is going on out there. I know-it is sickening and heart wrenching, but where will we be if no one speaks up now? I am no pro-life hero. I have to say that I get scared about writing something like this, asking someone to sign a petition, or even signing petitions with my name. There may be backlashes or consequences for being so opinionated. This is a society where everyone is supposed to agree with and support everyone else. I am not going to blend in, but sticking out does not make me special. There are hundreds of wonderful pro-life figures-look them up and take courage from their bravery at speaking out on the holocaust of the preborn children. Read Bibles verses about the sanctity of life. Pray for direction. Read, study, pray-and then figure what you believe yourself. Then I'd encourage you, if you feel God leading you, take a step to help end abortion. If we work together, with God on our side, who can say what will happen?
I'm sorry if that sounds emotional or insensitive. If you want to tell me your thoughts, please do in the comments or through the contact form at the side. I am open to hearing your beliefs. Thank you for reading mine. I hope do not come off as ranting. I just want to offer my voice for those who are voiceless.
You may wonder (like I have)-how can I possibly help? I'd suggest 1.) know what you believe so that if you are in a situation where you need to make a choice or give counsel you will know what you are going to stand for, 2.) pray, and 3.) sign a petition (you can sign lots online; look up local or national petitions for pro-life organizations. Maybe you can even print some off and get more signatures for the petitions. That's what I'm currently doing). That's what I try to do. Maybe I'll eventually do more as God leads me. You could pray with me on that one!
I'll close this post with an inspirational (non-graphic) video with a pro-life, inspirational message. It is American (I know! Surprising, when I'm so Canadian, but I found this inspirational and there are a LOT of US pro-life organizations and crisis pregnancy centers) and contains a brief history of abortion in the US in recent years. It also offers hope as each person gives a face to the pro-life movement.
God bless you! May He show you the way you should go.
Lots of love,
Indi Raine
Psalm 139:13-17