Being a part of the pro-life movement is not an easy task, and at times seems like such a daunting commitment that I want to bow out all together. Abortion is not an easy topic to talk about, read about, or write about. Every time, I begin to feel defeated or like I could walk away without anyone even noticing, something or someone inadvertently picks me back up and encourages me to press on.
Today, I saw a video which exhilarated my efforts once again because it accurately showed the reality of why so many abortions occur, and it ultimately portrayed the young woman choosing life over death. I have personally known several women who have had abortions and each time, the woman was pressured by her boyfriend or husband to "just get rid of it". As I write those words, the hair stands up on the back of my neck because it completely goes against every fiber of my being. Women are born to nurture. We are born to give life and nurture that life. It would be counter to our genetics to kill our offspring.
However, this is happening by the millions. Too often than not, boyfriends and husbands who have no God in their lives find it easy to tell their girlfriends and wives that having a baby is not an option. They will even tell them that if they decide to keep the baby, they're through. I can tell you with certainty that a woman at the end of her life will never regret having children; however, she will regret staying one minute with a man who would even think of the possibility of murdering their child, let alone actually suggesting and/or demanding it.
I am convinced that the only way abortion will end is by changing the hearts of our young men and women. Girls and boys must be taught from a very young age that life begins at conception. They must be taught that "life" means "baby"...not a clump of cells! Having a baby is God's gift to us. He is showing us His love for us through creating life. If you have ever looked into a baby's eyes and seen the understanding - the connection - that is there, then you have seen God's love for you. Babies are love. They love and want to be loved. It's really as simple as that. We love them by nurturing them through nourishment, close loving contact, gentle movements, warmth, kisses, and hugs. God loves us in the same way. He is gentle, he nourishes us, and he is in close contact with us all the time. He loves us through the gift of life.
We have to teach our girls to respect themselves and their bodies enough to know that having a baby should only occur within the context of a loving marriage. If we could teach our sons to respect girls to such a height as to hold in esteem the sanctity of marriage, then girls would never feel pressured into a situation that deep down they know is wrong. Abstinence is the only form of contraception that is 100% reliable. There is no other form of contraception that is 100% reliable. As a matter-of-fact, all other forms of contraception can lead to depression and low self-esteem, which have far reaching consequences for girls. I don't know any 40 year old women who say, "I'm sure glad I had all those wild times when I was younger and gave myself to all those boys. Sure glad I had all those pre-marital relationships and one night stands!" What have we women done with our "freedom"? We have given ourselves freely over to abuse, rape, low self-esteem, depression, medical problems as a result of contraceptions and abortions, a rise in breast and cervical cancer, and the ability to murder our own children in a horrific violent manner.
This video accurately portrays the scenario of a young woman who finds herself pregnant with her boyfriend's child, only to hear that she must "take care of it" or they're through. As I stated earlier, she ultimately chooses life over death; motherhood over a short lived relationship with a boy who is willing to murder his own child. We must start at home with our own children...telling them of the beauty of life - of the gift God bestows upon us. We must teach our children to abstain until marriage. We must teach our children of the sanctity of marriage. We must teach our young girls to respect themselves and their bodies, so that they never give themselves over freely. We must teach our young boys to respect girls and their bodies. We must teach our young boys how to grow into men who are willing to abstain until marriage. We must also teach them that killing the unborn is never an option...and it is never an option to suggest it to a young woman. If we can teach our children those things, abortions will cease to exist. We won't have to fight powerhouses like Planned Parenthood because there won't be money to be had in the abortion business anymore. If we can change the hearts of Americans, then we can change laws...but not until then.
I have included the short movie here. I welcome your comments!
Warning!: some graphic images
2 comments:
HI Mary Katherine, I have been reading through your blog, I found you on Catholic Mothers Online. I agree with every word in this post. I have been posting about the prolife movement quite a bit actually. I have a friend with whom I have failed at changing her heart on this matter. I feel like I've failed God. But you are so right about changing the hearts of the young - they will be the ones to put an end to this.
http://truedaughterofmary.blogspot.com/2011/02/pro-life-or-pro-choice.html This is the start of that whole discussion, if you have any advice for me, I would love to hear it!
Also, I noticed you mentioning Franciscan U a few times. I live just 45 minutes away. My children have been blessed to attend a conference every summer they were in high school. My soon to be 9th grader will be going in July. We are so very blessed to be nearby, I think both of my older girls would tell you that it was a turning point in their faith - so affirming for them. They still talk about their experiences there. I would love to go myself one of these days - as soon as I am not pregnant or nursing!
I love your blog - keep fighting the good fight! Blessings, Megan
Thank you so much for reading through some of it. It's kind of part journal - part commentary :) I was big on "pro-choice" all my life until around the time of my conversion to Catholicism. I've been writing about my long journey here and haven't finished it yet. I intend to write more soon. I think for me, the defining moment was knowing for the first time how an abortion was performed and that whole "Commandment thing". You know, "Thou shalt not kill." Honestly, that was about it. I had been in favor of keeping abortion legal in just those few bad circumstances - rape, incest, etc. I had always said it was not for me, but I couldn't take that choice away from another woman. But....I had never thought of the baby as a baby. I think prochoice people really buy into the talking points of planned parenthood and prochoice organizations. I thought an embryo was just a clump of cells and so I justified abortion in the first trimester because I didn't know it really was a baby. It could feel. It was perfect in God's eyes. soooo, like I was saying, if we can teach the youth coming up the truth that was not taught to my generation, things will begin to change. I was taught that women's lib was all wrapped up in the right to choose and control of contraception. We were all hoodwinked! I haven't read your blog yet, but I WILL! And I'll get back to you if I think of anything else that could help you and your friend. It's a tough one!
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