Babies and Bath Water
About a year ago I made a bold move. I admitted to a small adult group from my church that I had [gasp] voted for a candidate who was not pro-life in the previous presidential election! This was quite a shock within this group. I’m not sure that anybody in our church has ever voted for someone who was not pro-life. Almost every car (er rather large SUV) in our church parking lot has a “W-The President” sticker on the back. If not that, then they have “S-The Coach.” As in Saban. University of Alabama.
One of my friends was quite alarmed at my statement, and said, “Wait! Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!!”
So anyway, I clarified to this group that I am adamantly pro-life. I have a son with Down syndrome, and 90% or more of all prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome end in an early termination. That offends me. And I want it to stop. But I no longer think it is a reality that a presidential candidate is going to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Yes, he (or she) may be able to appoint pro-life judges. But what then? If they overturn Roe v Wade, do you not think the congress will turn right around and re-overturn it? Or that the backlash in the next election will result in a president and representatives who will set into place a more permanent proclamation of this “women’s right?”
In my opinion, the most likely way to change opinions on abortion is one person at a time. My son hopefully does that all the time. He is a testimony to the fact that people with Down syndrome can have meaningful, fulfilling lives. That as children and teenagers, they are not a burden. I mean, sure there are struggles. Hard ones! It’s a pain in the butt to juggle the therapies when they are young. It is challenging to manage behavioral issues when they have limited communication abilities. It is a headache to fight with the IEP teams. But believe me when I say that my oldest son is not the only child who has presented me with parenting challenges. My middle child has spent significantly more time at the hospital than my oldest, what with his chronic ear infections, bacteremia, multiple broken bones, and concussions. My youngest has thrown far more temper tantrums and been much more of a discipline challenge than my oldest. Etcetera.
But back to the topic. Babies. Abortion. And elections. I am almost sick of hearing about Iowa, but I have to admit that I was tickled to hear about Obama’s big win in the Caucus last night. I really, really like this guy!! I find myself nodding and grinning and agreeing wholeheartedly when he speaks. And yet, I’m not sure my acquaintances in my little southern town with their “W” stickers are ready to hear that. And I’m not sure I am ready to defend it yet. And that’s where I hope you can help out.
And by you, I mean the two of you who are still checking in here, what with my lack of blogging for the last several months.
Those of you who are personally opposed to abortion, but who are inclined to vote for a non-pro-life candidate…how do you reconcile the two? How do you intelligently discuss your views with people who are single-issue voters? I’d love some ammunition input.
January 5th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hi Chewymom. I’ve been a lurker on this site for awhile. I love it! Just a comment about the pro-life thing. I read a report recently (wish I still had it) which claimed that abortion rates were just as high in countries where abortion is illegal than where it is legal. So, even (big) IF abortion became illegal, abortion would still take place, and maybe about just as much. So, perhaps the more truly pro-life tactic is to decrease the number of women who want abortions, as you discussed. Interestingly, abortion rates apparently went down in NYC under Giuliani largely because of his efforts to help the impoverished.
January 5th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I think I feel a tiny bit different than you do. I am personally opposed to abortion, I think it’s a sin and a rejection of a blessing from God. But I vote pro-choice as I believe that it’s not up to me to say that a woman has to carry a child. THis is not a decision that I think the government or anyone but the woman herself should make. I think abortion is akin to war in certain ways - I think both make Jesus cry and tear his hair out. I think they both are a result of our sin and failings but I do not think that either is always avoidable and they should not be illegal. By the way, I have an adorable 10 year old daughter with DS.
Kathy
January 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Hi Amy! Thanks for delurking!
That is a really interesting statistic. If it is true, then it seems to me we are wasting a whole lot of time and energy trying to change the politics of abortion that might be better spent on changing hearts and minds (or helping the poor??).
Hi Kathy! Nice to meet another mom of a chromosomally enhanced child!
Your take on abortion is interesting, and I’m glad you posted it. I’m not sure I’m quite where you are yet, but I really appreciate what you said. It definitely helps me think through where I REALLY stand on it, and hopefully to be consistent in my view.
January 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I understand what you are saying. I had a hard time several federal elections ago when one party suddenly started campaigning on abortion and on being “the party that was for the woman’s right to choose”. I could have ignored the elephant in the room but when it becomes a defining political issue then I have to pause.
It will be interesting to see how your elections shape up. Here in Canada I don’t see (though I could be wrong) abortion being a campaign issue next time because the environment is SUCH a biggie right now.
I wish I could get into the planning rooms of all of the candidates who may be trying to sway “crunchy Christians” and say that that is NOT the way to do it. Of course neither is calling being a stay-at-home mother “obsolete”. grrrrr
January 5th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Well I’m in Canada so I don’t quite know the ins and outs of the US politics but from a personal standpoint I am much more interested in seeing a political candidate that provides appropriate services for persons with disabilities and is interested in improving our pathetic health care system. As far as abortions go, yes I am pro-life, but I am also realistic and I know that to make abortion illegal would be so extremely difficult (especially here in Canada) and would be met with so much opposition (and be overturned as soon as the next political leader came into power). I agree with you that the way to prevent abortion (especially from a eugenic standpoint) is to show people by way of our children that having a child with a disability can and is a blessing
We will be much more effective in providing proper unbiased information to the genetic counsellors and doctors than forcing our views on those who oppose them.
Katrina (mom to Brant)
January 5th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hi Carla, It really does drive me crazy the way abortion has been the ONE issue–at least for Christians–that people vote on. Yeah, I’m really curious to see how things will play out over the next 11 months. And oooh–I’d be so aggrivated by the SAHM comment! I’ve been one for 17 years, thankyouverymuch.
Hi Katrina! Good to see you over HERE! I think you and I are right on the same page! Hug that Mr. Brant for us!
January 6th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Since Obama might be the second to last person I’m voting for, I might not be the best to fuel you with ammunition. But I absolutely adore this very insightful statement of yours:
In my opinion, the most likely way to change opinions on abortion is one person at a time.
I am very conservative, with certain libertarian leanings. But before that, I am Christian. I believe all the stuff that most of the mainline evangelical churches hold to in their doctrines. But I disagree with the way we go about it.
Many of these groups view government as means to control culture. But our founding fathers did not see governments thus. Just government defends life, liberty and property. If we want people to act more morally, we do that person to person, one heart at a time.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hi Dana, You know, my brother-in-law is strongly libertarian. I tend to disagree with him…or at least I think I do…but the more I really give it thought (and take those silly online tests) the more I think I might have libertarian tendencies myself….
January 7th, 2008 at 11:41 am
While I tend to vote for candidates who are pro-life (though it’s not the only issue I look at), I won’t condemn anyone else for their choices. It’s not the end of the world if someone with the “wrong” politics is elected - we tend to forget what Paul said:
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1
God is sovereign, and He even has His hand in politics!
You are absolutely right that we need to reach out one person at at time, to those within our sphere of influence.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I’ve been pondering whether or not to post a comment. The whole “single issue voter” and all… but… w/Obama, I’m afraid that though he represents a significant change from the otherwise run of the mill politicos that are running, there are two things (not just one) that make it nigh on to impossible for me to vote democrat this upcoming election.
1) Partial birth abortion” - Obama is clearly on the wrong side of this overly despicable infanticide (though I would say that the whole abortion industry is infanticide as well). Obama is clearly aligned with the most rabid of the abortio proponents and would not even entertain any discussion limiting its practice in our country.
2) Defense, statesmanship. Obama would pull our troops out of Afghanistan & Iraq and likely South Korea as soon as given a chance. He would leave the locals to their own defense and abandon real goals in those places, (I am not an ostrich who doesn’t think that Iraq & Afghanistan are both wars that any free country would have a hard time fighting or even “winning”, but… both have their legitimate reasons and both would be a worse travesty if we simply packed up and left. The statesmanship side of this is Obama’s leaning toward open dialog with ANY head of state. He’s said he would sit down with Chavez, Ahmadinejad, and others like them immediately. That would be almost as stupid as the entire “YouTube” debate circus that currently graces our screens.
So… who will I vote for? Too early to tell!
As a treat to your blog readers, look at both Al Mohler’s & Thabiti Anyabwile comments regarding the election:
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1076
http://purechurch.blogspot.com/2008/01/ramblings-after-too-much-tv.html
January 9th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Hi Diane! Thanks for your comment. It is such a good reminder that no matter who is elected, God has not suddenly lost control!
Glenn, I’m off to read your links. So much for mopping the den….
Can I blame you for the mess?