The “A” Word

This post has been brewing for a while … Most of the reason I haven’t posted yet is because it’s such a controversial issue and phrasing it is tricky so that there’s no room for misunderstanding. It’s controversial, not just for Christians, but also almost every person who has had to decide how they feel about this when they cast their ballot for the Presidential race every 4 years.

So after that brief introduction, the “A” word is “Abortion”. I must tell you that everything I’m about to say I can only claim as my own opinion. So please read at your own risk!

Recently a church I know of has been protesting in front of a local abortion clinic I pass by regularly. I have a really hard time with this. Everything within me burns with frustration! Maybe not for the same reasons though that some might think. I personally do not believe that Abortion is right. I would never make that choice myself. However, our lives are full of choices. We have the ability to drink, smoke, sleep around, do drugs (even though it’s illegal). Choices that we ultimately are only answerable to God for, the ultimate judge. However, whenever I see Christians standing in front of an abortion clinic with protest signs on an incredibly busy road my heart breaks for the impression people get. Not only the people just driving by, but the women that making this life-altering choice. The Christian church already has a reputation for hate and judgement. What are those signs preaching? More hate, and more judgement. I don’t worry about the church’s image though. I worry about people thinking that the body of Christ consists of judgmental people. Which defeats the purpose of the church being a community of people who will share the love of God that Christ spent his ministry on earth and died to show. Instead it just pushes people away and creates more hostility and anger.

I know a lot of those people standing out there may have the best of intentions. To maybe convince those women to change their minds. To make a different choice. To stand up for what they think is right. But it’s not their choice. Legally, these women can make this decision on their own. Just like they have the right to decide NOT to go to church because of the people standing outside the abortion clinic.

Too many people are impacted by this and it’s not positive. It’s a negative. A negative impact on the women going in and out, the doctors and nurses in the clinic and all the people who happen to drive by while the protest goes on. Think of it. If you just think about the people that drive by … If 100 cars (with just one passenger) pass by that clinic every 15 minutes and 50% (which the percentage might be higher) are not Christians, that means??? I like math so I’ll answer … That means 200 people may never step foot into a church because of a sign. That’s 1600 people in 8 hours. Multiply that by 5 days a week, you’re up to 8,000. I like math, but I don’t like those numbers. There are better ways to reach these women. Set up support groups or consultation groups for women that have undergone an abortion or are considering abortion. Become a  licensed counselor and go to work in the clinic.  I don’t know, I just think there are SO many different ways to handle this.

All I can say is, I apologize for the judgement that has been communicated. And I urge people to know that not all Christians believe that this is the appropriate response. Lives are fragile. People are fragile. And we have a caring God that can put the pieces back together should we find ourselves broken.

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