DownloadJuly 6, 2009 issue
Pro-choice belief
By Debra Bender Cape Coral, Fla.I am pro-choice. In that Mennonite Church USA does not have an “official” policy on abortion law, and we’ve tended to tiptoe around the morality issue, I suspect there are folks who believe, as do I, that abortion is a decision that should be made by a woman, her doctor and her God.
Abortion is legal in this country. Killing doctors who are brave enough to legally act in situations where no alternative exists is a disconnect I’ll never understand. Almost as inconceivable, many pro-lifers completely ignore — or, even worse, applaud — this country’s barbaric reliance on the death penalty and have no qualms about engaging in war, “justified” or not.
I agree with President Obama. When the consequences, responsibilities and dangers of unprotected sex are openly discussed in simple, down-to-earth terms; when birth control methods are explained, understood, readily available and utilized; and when everyone has access to decent, affordable health care; the number of unplanned, unwanted pregnancies will decrease, as will the number of abortions.
Comments
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Ms Bender reveals some personal beliefs regarding abortion, death penalty and war, however, she does not support her comments with any scripture. I will address her comments with scripture from Old and New Testament.
Regarding abortion, Proverbs 6:17, the shedding of innocent blood is one of seven things God hates and declares are an abomination unto Him. The meaning of this verse is clear on the abortion issue because of the violent death the innocent baby experiences in the killing process. Can there be anything more barbaric than this other than tossing newborns into a fire as do the heathen who know not God? Further, Ms. Bender completely ignores the deep emotional wounds and scars of the mother who approves of the violent death of her living unborn. Yes, God's forgiveness is avaialble, but the terrifying memories are long lasting to many. Does the fact that abortion is legal in the U.S. make it less violent to the baby? Tonight, there are thousands of babies secure in their mother's womb that are living on death row facing the death penalty tomorrow or the days to come. There is no lawyer to plead their case and no policeman to protect them.
Regarding the death penalty in our judicial system, a study of the Old Testament will reveal that God ordained the death penalty for the guilty for various acts including murder, kidnapping and several other crimes. The apostle Paul, in Romans 13 recognized the God ordained authority of government to practice capital punishment in the maintaining of law and order. When Jesus was hanging of the cross, he could have protested the death penalty by divinely pardoning and rescuing the two thieves hanging beside him. To do that, he would have sinned and violated God's ordained authority of government. No where do we read that Jesus ever protested actions by the Roman government.
It is interesting that Ms Bender refers to the death penalty as barbaric. Why does she not consider the violent killing of a baby in the womb as barbaric?
Regarding the use of law enforcement, I am believing that Ms Bender would not want to live in an area where there are no properly trained and armed law enforcement officers to protect her and other citizens from criminals, These men and women are authorized to take necessary action, including the killing of violent criminals who are threatening law abiding citizens and officer's lives and refuse to surrender. Law enforcement and armed forces are both ordained of God. We live in a world where people like Hitler, Tito and other likeminded government leaders are criminal in nature and a danger to surrounding nations. Here also, governments are ordained by God and are authorized to take appropriate action to confront nations having an intent to harm neighboring nations. Prime Minister Chamberlain of England violated his responsibility and did not confront Hitler as he should have when he and Hitler signed the Munich Agreement which led to WWII. Instead, his appeasment of Hitler resulted in the deaths of about 40 million in that war.
I believe serving in the armed forces or as a law enforcement officer in the U.S. does not violate scripture. Howerver, serving in an abortion clinic where weapons of mass destruction exist for the killing of innocent babies would definitely be a violation of scripture. It is all in The Book.
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Calling abortion a choice does not make the unborn victims of abortion less dead, The proper term for people who do not support legal protection for the unborn is pro-abortion. Killing innocent babies is not something someone should have the option of choosing,
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