By: Jackie Anderson
SFLA Communications Director
Recently, a member of our staff forwarded me this, it’s a 7-step, easy-to-read and horrifically misguided list on how to further indoctrinate our culture with the message of death from abortiongang.com – how appropriate.
What bothers me most about this heart-wrenching list is not the comments listed under it (one reader went so far as to say that this “thoughtful and questioning” list will generate “gestures of kindness and respect that will eventually make the world a better place.”) It’s also not their use of the term “social justice” when referring to how readers can spread abortion acceptance even further.
It’s the way they twist words like “love” and “learn” and “support”. Love isn’t murdering a child. Learning isn’t turning a blind eye to real social justice. Support isn’t almost 40 years of legalized child killing.
Their very first step in becoming a “social justice hero” is Supporting a Friend Through Pregnancy. With every ironic word, they paint a picture of a “supportive friend” driving a woman to an abortion facility, following up with her after the procedure, and making sure she’s completely unaware of the medical and psychological implications that abortion has on women.
What a true friend.
They’re also sure to include education on this comprehensive death list, and point out the importance of reading about “reproductive justice” and speaking to friends who have had abortions.
Reproductive justice, to me, screams Scott Klusendorf, Theresa Burke, and Randy Alcorn. These authors speak freely about reproduction and aren’t anywhere close to being shy about mentioning abortion. If you want a more comprehensive list on reproductive justice, click here.
But the list ends with the most ironic word of all time – love. Taken from this very list, it says, “I feel that this is at the root of it – true activism is an act of love. Never forget why we fight for access and the health and lives of our sisters. If we live every day and act out of love, we can’t lose. When in doubt, follow your heart.”
Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The irony so deeply wrapped within the language of this list is reflective of how deeply-rooted the acceptance of abortion and the culture of death is in our nation. Abortionists fight for “rights and freedom” when their very stance is counteractive to their goal. Pro-abortion activists want to spread a message of “love and acceptance” when the procedure they so strongly fight to protect completely destroys these gifts.
I guess they should change their message to “Rights and freedoms, love and acceptance, but only for those we decide are worthy of them.”
Below is our list of How to be an Everyday Social Justice Hero. Obviously, this list makes a tad more sense:
1. Support your friend through her pregnancy.
If a friend of yours tells you she’s pregnant, make sure you support her and offer her any help or guidance she may need. Try to be there for her throughout the term of her pregnancy and help when and where you can. Make sure she’s aware of the life-long mental and physical trauma that comes with having an abortion, and guide her to any pregnancy resource centers or adoption agencies she may need. When her child comes, don’t stop supporting her! Offer to babysit, buy diapers, clothes, whatever she may need. Show her that both she and her child are worth love and support from everyone through your own actions.
2. Talk to your friends about abstinence.
Many pregnancy resource centers offer literature on abstinence and the harms of birth control. It would be helpful to stock up on these and make sure your friends know that abstinence is the only fail-proof form of birth control and that the pill – as well as most other forms of birth control – has life-long and sometimes fatal side effects. Don’t be nervous about talking to your friends about sex! It’s an important issue, and one that affects the pro-life movement directly.
3. Volunteer at your local pregnancy resource center.
It may be helpful to call your local PRC and ask what they need. They tend to go through resources quickly, but some things go faster than others. Ask their volunteer coordinator or director what supplies they tend to need the most and organize a drive at your school or campus. See if you can organize a prayer vigil outside a local Planned Parenthood or other abortion facility and publicize it among your friends, at your church and at the nearest PRC.
4. Be creative.
There’s more to Turning the Tide on abortion than politics and protests. Consider writing your local and national politicians a letter asking them to vote on pro-life legislation and explain why it’s important. Submit poems to your school’s literary magazine or other publications. Start a blog and ask your friends to follow and promote it. Write songs, try your hand at rapping (there are a surprising amount of pro-life rappers!) Use whatever gifts you have to help promote the culture of life!
5. Help your community.
Be a friend to people you may not know. Find out who in your city or town is in greatest need of post-abortion care, support or counseling and offer whatever gifts, talents and time you have to give. It’s never easy to reach out to those who are suffering, but this is some of the most powerful activism you can do.
6. Educate yourself on the issue.
And read up on both sides. Literature on abortion will teach you what a truly unjust culture pro-aborts attempt to protect and will teach you how to defend a pro-life stance. There are plenty of scientists, authors, lawyers, musicians, politicians, poets, doctors, and those in endless other professions who have plenty to say on the issue. Be able to speak to friends, family members, teachers, volunteers and total strangers on the issue. Look at it from all perspectives. Stay informed.
7. Love.
The very core of the pro-life movement is love. Love acknowledges the respect and dignity of all people, born and pre-born. Always remember that the root of working to protect the pre-born is to lovingly protect their rights, and approach those who may differ from your stance on the issue with the same respect and dignity we’re working to protect.
