Abortion & reincarnation

The idea that it begins at conception always seemed rather arbitrary to me. And I also suspect that this life is not our only shot. . . . I think it’s . . . likely that when a pregnancy is terminated, that soul is simply born to a different mother. I don’t deny that terminating a pregnancy can be a mournful event for a mother and a family. But I’m not so sure that it’s a devastating event for the unborn child. And I don’t see why pro-life folks are so sure about this. Daily Dish

Planned Parenthood's renovation includes better security

Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan celebrated completion of a $2.4 million expansion and renovation project with an open house for invited guests. The project at the facility in Kalamazoo was funded through a $4.6 million capital campaign that exceeded its goal by $100,000. Kalamazoo Gazette

Stopp Planned Parenthood notes that pictures of the renovated facility reveal three stained glass windows inscribed with the words Life, Choice and Hope. "How ironic that they proclaim 'Life' in the first panel, and 'Choice' – their code word for killing innocent babies – on the next. The last panel appears to signal arrival at a totally illogical conclusion: Killing little innocent preborn babies somehow leads to 'Hope.'"

Meanwhile, Alternatives Women's Care Center (which I believe is right across the street from this PP facility) struggles to pay off a balloon payment. They've been given an extension, but could have really used the extra $100,000 that PP didn't need.

LIFT Caregiver Summit: October 24

The 2009 LIFT Caregiver Summit will be held Saturday, October 24, at Grandville Bible Church in Grandville, MI. It will feature Rev. Ray Paget speaking on grief recovery and mourning, along with helpful workshops, networking opportunities, and resources. The cost is $25/person ($40/couple) and includes lunch and materials. To learn more, email Sharlene.

Love makes suffering bearable

Colin Harte, director of the UK anti-euthanasia group ALERT, addressed the question of suffering head-on at the 2nd International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. "Once suicide is considered a legitimate option . . . words of hope lose their power - because death itself is seen as a means of liberation, the means of satisfaction. Death is regarded as the source of hope." If assisted suicide is legal, it makes the caregiver's job nearly impossible. "I would [be] regarded as being cruel . . . to encourage [a hopeless, suffering person] to live. Once you have a law allowing the so-called 'compassionate choice' to die, if you want to emphasize another option which is going to involve suffering, you are suddenly becoming the person who is not compassionate, who is inflicting suffering. We live in a ... world today where those who give up the fight are called tenacious, and those who abandon their use of free will by killing themselves somehow achieve an independence. It's madness!" said Harte. "We should be able to say plainly: it's mad. It's absurd." LifeSiteNews

More from the woman who calls abortion a blessing

The idea that abortion kills a child, Katherine Ragsdale contends, reflects parental hopes and dreams for the child-to-be, not the reality of what the zygote or fetus actually is. (It is, in her words, "proleptic," a theological term for anticipated realities that come to be treated as extant in the here and now.) When pro-choice forces signal their partial acceptance of the abortion-as-child-murder idea — which they do when they speak of the "tragedy" of abortion — they may be motivated by political concerns, or by a desire to be respectful and conciliatory. But in the process, they're ceding precious intellectual ground to abortion opponents, and backing themselves into a tactical corner: how, after all, can you effectively defend something for which you're simultaneously apologizing? What's more, they're also increasing the likelihood that women who do choose to have abortions will spend their lives tormented by needless guilt. "I suppose it's possible for an intelligent, faithful person to still believe that there's no moral difference between a zygote and a baby," Ragsdale allows. "But there's no reason for most of us to believe that. And I don't." The Phoenix

Tiller's missing excommunication

As soon as the terrible news about Tiller’s murder hit the wire, many bloggers and liberal pundits noted that Tiller’s active church membership was at odds with the stereotype of how abortion and religion are related. It didn’t take long for that same meme to make it to the mainstream media stories. What none of these stories have explained is that Tiller had previously been excommunicated by a Lutheran congregation on account of his lack of repentance about and refusal to stop his occupation. That Lutheran congregation was a member of my church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Get Religion

Family Breakdown in Canada Costs $7 Billion Annually

The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada released new research yesterday on the cost of family breakdown in Canada at a briefing on Parliament Hill. The in-depth, quantitative assessment examines the links between broken homes and poverty alleviation measures. Consistently, not only in Canada but in all developed nations — lone parent households are more likely to live in poverty. “Certainly the main concern around family breakdown is the emotional toll,” say the authors. “But the fiscal costs are evident, and those can be more readily measured.” They find that cost to be close to $7 billion annually. If family breakdown decreased by half, a conservative estimate of savings is close to $2 billion annually. LifeSiteNews, PDF file of the report

With abortionist dead, do conservatives share blame?

With the murder Sunday (May 31) of Dr. George Tiller, one of the nation's few late-term abortion doctors, supporters of abortion rights are questioning whether there is a connection between his death and the rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement. More to the point, would Tiller have been a victim if anti-abortion groups had not made him so prominent? Pew Forum

Editor: Another question might be, to what extent have pro-life ministries -- such as pregnancy care center -- diffused some of the restless tension inherent in the debate by offering pro-life people a constructive, humane outlet for their beliefs?

Get to know: The National Pro-life Religious Council

The NPRC is a Christian coalition which acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and works to encourage every Christian denomination to affirm and sitness to the biblical standard of the value, dignity, and sanctity of human life, and to foster ministry to those vulnerable to the violence of abortion or euthanasia. Members include: Anglicans for Life, Lutherans for Life, Presbyterians Pro-Life, Priests for Life, the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality, and United Friends for Life.

Let’s Get our Facts Straight about Tiller and Anti-Abortion Violence

Pro-lifers should indeed condemn the murder of George Tiller. But we should not play permanent defense as the nonsense snowballs and the unfair attacks against the pro-life movement multiply. Here are some facts that should be taken into consideration by all people of good will, especially those whose responsibility it is to report on this story. LifeSiteNews, AbortionViolence.com

• A Good Journalist May Be Hard to Find, But Not a Late-Term Abortionist
• 49 million to five
• O'Reilly: The Killing of George Tiller

International Euthanasia Symposium Stresses Triumph of Love over Suffering

Alison Davis of No Less Human, who suffers from spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and multiple other disabilities, said, "When the pain is bad, what I need is not to be told I'm burdensome and it's my choice whether I want to live or die, and that perhaps I would be better off dead. What I need is to be surrounded by people who tell me, yes, my life does have value, and I'm not burdensome. . . . They can't take the pain away, but sometimes it's not the pain that hurts the most, it's the fear of being abandoned." Her assistant and the director of the anti-euthanasia group ALERT, Colin Harte, criticized the euthanasia movement for being rooted in a deep fear of both experiencing and witnessing suffering, and said the "secret of love" is often revealed by suffering. "By walking with those of suffering, the effect on us can be profound. It's wrong to see suffering . . . as the complete absence of joy or meaning." LifeSiteNews

Editor: Actually, love is only revealed by suffering.

“Obsessional” Fear of Suffering Ushering in Euthanasia Culture

Bioethicist Wesley J. Smith warns that a culture that seeks to escape suffering and inconvenience at all costs will end by eliminating not only pain, but by ending the lives of those suffering or whose condition burden their families. Noting that we live in a time of medical advances where people don't have to die in agony, yet people push for euthanasia. Why? Because health has become the greatest good. "If we're going to defeat euthanasia and assisted suicide, we're going to have to recognize that for a lot of people, the principle of right and wrong don't matter anymore," said Smith. "What matters is making sure there isn't suffering. And that can lead to some very bad and dark places." LifeSiteNews

Christians in the UK Facing Increasing Official Discrimination

A poll conducted by the Sunday Telegraph has found that thousands of Christians in Britain fear losing job promotions and are being harassed at work because of their religious beliefs. In recent months and years nurses, public officials, charity workers, foster parents and potential adoptive parents, policemen, teachers, and even school children in the U.K. have been sacked and threatened with legal action and job discipline for expressing their religious convictions. LifeSiteNews

Christians in the UK Facing Increasing Official Discrimination

A poll conducted by the Sunday Telegraph has found that thousands of Christians in Britain fear losing job promotions and are being harassed at work because of their religious beliefs. In recent months and years nurses, public officials, charity workers, foster parents and potential adoptive parents, policemen, teachers, and even school children in the U.K. have been sacked and threatened with legal action and job discipline for expressing their religious convictions. LifeSiteNews

Former SBC officer says Tiller murder answer to prayer

While most pro-life leaders condemned the May 31 murder of a controversial abortion provider inside his Wichita, Kan., church, one former Southern Baptist Convention official called it an answer to prayer. Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., called Tiller "a brutal, murdering monster" and said he is "grateful to God" that the physician is no longer around. Drake said he prayed nearly 10 years for the salvation of Tiller, medical director of the Women's Health Care Services clinic and an outspoken advocate for abortion rights. About a year ago, Drake said, he switched to what he called "imprecatory prayer." Associated Baptist Press

Editor: He must not have read The Struggle Against Abortion: Why the Use of Lethal Force is Not Morally Justifiable.

The Struggle Against Abortion: Why the Use of Lethal Force is Not Morally Justifiable

After a spate of violence against abortion providers in the early 1990s, as president of the then-Christian Life Commission, Richard Land convened a group of Southern Baptist ethicists and theologians who issued a statement in September 1994, which has become known as the Nashville Declaration of Conscience, that condemned the killing of abortion providers. The statement not only outlines why lethal force is not morally justified, but also succinctly and biblically lays out why each human life is sacred. Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, PDF file

Editor: Here's an answer to Frank Schaeffer (below).

Climate of hate, world of double standards

When a right-wing Christian vigilante kills, millions of fingers pull the trigger. When a left-wing Muslim vigilante kills, he kills alone. These are the instantly ossifying narratives in the Sunday shooting death of late-term abortion provider George Tiller of Kansas versus the Monday shootings of two Arkansas military recruiters. JWR

Frank Schaeffer blames religious right for Tiller's murder

In a Huffington Post column titled "How I (and Other 'Pro-Life' Leaders) Contributed to Dr. Tiller's Murder," evangelical leader (sic) Frank Schaeffer apologized for his involvement with the "hate-filled rhetoric" he associated with the "religious right." "The same hate machine I was part of is still attacking all abortionists as 'murderers,'" wrote Schaeffer this week. "And today once again the 'pro-life' leaders are busy ducking their personal responsibility for people acting on their words. The people who stir up the fringe never take responsibility. But I'd like to say on this day after a man was murdered in cold blood for performing abortions that I -- and the people I worked with in the religious right, the Republican Party, the pro-life movement and the Roman Catholic Church, all contributed to this killing by our foolish and incendiary words." LifeSiteNews

Editor: In the column, Frank repeatedly says "Roe went too far," implying that if Roe had only allowed first trimester abortions, none of this would have happened. Well, duh! If that were the case, Tiller wouldn't have stood out for doing late-term abortions and, therefore, he probably wouldn't have been shot. But Frank's premise is wrong. Roe does allow states to limit abortions, but so far none have, with the exception of a certain late-term abortion method. The reason for that is the intransigence of the "pro-choice" movement.

Darwinism and brainwashing

The Bible warns us about mind controllers “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). To what extent have the mind controllers of this age influenced you and your family concerning the creation/evolution question? Answers in Genesis

The Weekend Cleanup: Gruesome Aftermath of Legalized Euthanasia in Belgium

The actual practice of euthanasia in Belgium disregards the "safeguards" attached to the law. "We have a huge problem with lawlessness," pro-life campaigner Lionel Roosemont said. He claimed that the law is commonly transgressed "without there being any consequences." The problem with us is that it's almost become a law [to disregard the safeguards]," said Roosemont. While the loose application of euthanasia restrictions is widely known among Belgians, the true depth of abuse is little understood. One such abuse he claimed occurs routinely is the administration of lethal drugs at one Belgian hospital to elderly, seriously ill patients - known as the "weekend cleanup" - as described by a nurse who worked there. Because the subject is still taboo in Belgium, indifference is widespread. "The subject is taboo in Belgium. Main reason: the law has been voted [upon]. So many people have become accomplices of killing, or helping, at least approving, so you don't talk about that - and the moment someone starts talking about that, most people start to protect themselves." LifeSiteNews

New Surprising Results on Abortion and Religiosity

Unwed pregnant teens and 20-somethings who attend or have graduated from private religious schools are more likely to obtain abortions than their peers from public schools, according to research in the June issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. . . . Conservative Protestants were the least likely to report having an abortion, less likely than mainline Protestants, Catholics and women with non-Christian religious affiliations. . . . Women who attended school with conservative Protestants were more likely to decide to have an extramarital baby in their 20s than in their teenage years. LiveScience, LifeNews

Murder in Wichita

The timing could not be worse for the anti-abortion movement. Just last month, the Gallup Poll reported that 51 percent of Americans now call themselves pro-life rather than pro-choice on the issue of abortion. This murder occurred as the anti-abortion message seems to be resonating with the public, even if it does not necessarily prevail in court. JWR

• The role of Tiller's pastors
• Recollections of a Taxi Cab Ride with Tiller
• Suspected Shooter Scott Roeder Not Charged Monday
• KS Gov. Parkinson: Abortion rhetoric not helpful in wake of shooting
• Family shares accused killer's mental health history
• Carhart will run Tiller's clinic
• Marshals protecting Colorado abortion doctor
• Alleged shooter not a member of Operation Rescue
• More pro-life reaction

News, reaction to abortion doctor's slaying

Tiller, a former Navy flight surgeon, assumed his father's family practice in Wichita. He had said he learned that his father had performed abortions when one of his patients asked if he would continue the practice. Tiller said he was surprised his father had risked his medical license by performing the procedure. He began performing abortions after the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade permitted the practice. "Prenatal testing without prenatal choices is medical fraud," Tiller once said. Washington Post

Pro-Life Groups Soundly Condemn Murder of George Tiller
Baptists for Life's statement on violence against abortion providers
40 Days for Life denounces slaying of George Tiller
FRC Condemns the Murder of George Tiller
Abortion Groups Falsely Blame Pro-Life Movement for Tiller's Death
Abortion Advocates Attack Pro-Life People After Tiller Murder
Statement by George Tiller's Family
Attorney General Directs U.S. Marshals to Protect Abortion Providers After Murder
Kan. abortion doc killed in church; suspect held
Slain Kan. abortion provider's clinic closed
Demand: Root out pro-life 'terrorists,' 'Bringing killer to justice not enough'
WHY KILLING ABORTIONISTS IS IMMORAL & STUPID
'Wicked Deed'

Tiller Shooting Suspect Caught, No Connection With Pro-Life Groups

Authorities have apprehended a Kansas man suspected of killing late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller on Sunday morning at his church. Police have identified the man as 51-year-old Scott Roeder of Merriam, Kansas, and he has been detained but has not yet been officially charged. Roeder appears to have an affiliation with extremist political groups but not with the mainstream pro-life movement. LifeNews

Baptists for Life's response to the murder of George Tiller

Baptists for Life developed this position paper on violence against abortion providers a decade or more ago, and it continues to be our policy today.

Baptists for Life in no way endorses or encourages violence against abortion providers. In that, we join pro-life organizations across the country and around the world. Responsible pro-life people have been working for years to combat abortion through peaceful, lawful means. Many have undertaken to reach out to abortion providers, offering them courtesy and the love of Christ.