This is a slightly different version of the article I did for Respect Life Week for our church bulletin....
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born
I set you apart.” Jeremiah, 1:5
Sunday, February 4th marks the beginning of Respect Life Week in Manitoba. In 1970 the League for Life was organized, responding to the need for a pro-life educational group in the city. Respect Life Week was officially endorsed by the Bishop in 1983 as a time for all Churches to recognize the need to promote a respect for Life.
We must take time to reflect on God’s priceless gift of human life, and to recognize the need for greater action. It is not just about abortion, but also end of life decisions, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and now embryonic stem cell and human cloning experimentation.
As Catholics, we are mandated by our faith to uphold and promote in an ethical and moral manner the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear with article 2271:
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of
safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of
themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the
moment of conception…”
The defense and promotion of Life is not the ministry of a few but the responsibility of all. It is sometimes difficult to have the courage to speak out about issues that some people believe we have no business concerning ourselves with. Pro-lifers are often portrayed as enemies of women’s rights and as opponents of freedom. This is so far from the truth! People need to be totally free from the lies and exploitation abortion offers. We need to be educated about the damage of abortion - physical, emotional and spiritual.
As caring Christians, we must focus on inspiring the hope that brings the courage to say “yes” to life. We can accomplish this most successfully through education; first of ourselves, and especially of our children. Science has proven that life begins at the moment of conception, a life entirely separate and unique from the mother. We must also educate ourselves on the realities and risks of abortion. We are called to minister in a loving and supportive way by sharing our time, talent and treasure in life affirming ways: donating items to a crisis pregnancy centre; offering support to a new mom by free babysitting occasionally; doing small errands or chores for someone elderly or even just visiting with them. Sometimes we may be called to “step out of our comfort zone”, to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8-9) and truly taking a stand for Life.
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
-- Dante
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
I was doing my daily check on Suzanne's Big Blue Wave, and for some reason decided to click on Bread n Roses to see what was up there.... The following is so ludicrous, I can't believe this woman would actually admit to thinking like this!
Posted by fern hill on 22nd January 2007
"Men and women are different. Here is what one embattled abortion provider in the US said:
“The only way women come close to achieving equality is if they can control their fertility,”
said the 65-year-old Carhart. “Abortion rights for men have been available since the
beginning of time. When they’re unhappy with a pregnancy, they walk away; it doesn’t
matter whether it’s the day after conception or when the child is 10 years old.”
If women are to achieve and maintain equality, there must be a full range of choices in how
we control our fertility.
That’s how simple it is to me. Equality"
So, from what I gather, she is saying that women should have the right to kill their children NO MATTER WHAT THE AGE, because she believes in equality?!?!
Just because a man may think it's "okay" to leave a pregnant woman when he doesn't want to accept his responsibility doesn't mean this is something women should aspire to being able to do, too. This arguement also points to the fact that pro-aborts DO in fact, see abortion as just another means of birth control.
If the issue is about equality, which the author seems to be suggesting; what about the rights to equality of the child? A child 10 years of age is different only in size and living space from a child in the womb. What if it is a girl child? What about her rights to equality?
Abortion, besides taking the right to life away from another human being, is a tool of oppression. Men push for a woman to abort so they don't have to take responsibility for their actions; they view women only as sexual objects and playthings. Abortion is forced on incest victims by men who want to hide their crimes. If women are truly concerned about equality in the area of "reproductive rights", they might want to focus more energy on support services that empower women to continue with a pregnancy. People need to learn that if they are going to have sex, they should be willing to accept the responsibility of that outcome, whether it is love and emotional attachment or a baby.
Posted by fern hill on 22nd January 2007
"Men and women are different. Here is what one embattled abortion provider in the US said:
“The only way women come close to achieving equality is if they can control their fertility,”
said the 65-year-old Carhart. “Abortion rights for men have been available since the
beginning of time. When they’re unhappy with a pregnancy, they walk away; it doesn’t
matter whether it’s the day after conception or when the child is 10 years old.”
If women are to achieve and maintain equality, there must be a full range of choices in how
we control our fertility.
That’s how simple it is to me. Equality"
So, from what I gather, she is saying that women should have the right to kill their children NO MATTER WHAT THE AGE, because she believes in equality?!?!
Just because a man may think it's "okay" to leave a pregnant woman when he doesn't want to accept his responsibility doesn't mean this is something women should aspire to being able to do, too. This arguement also points to the fact that pro-aborts DO in fact, see abortion as just another means of birth control.
If the issue is about equality, which the author seems to be suggesting; what about the rights to equality of the child? A child 10 years of age is different only in size and living space from a child in the womb. What if it is a girl child? What about her rights to equality?
Abortion, besides taking the right to life away from another human being, is a tool of oppression. Men push for a woman to abort so they don't have to take responsibility for their actions; they view women only as sexual objects and playthings. Abortion is forced on incest victims by men who want to hide their crimes. If women are truly concerned about equality in the area of "reproductive rights", they might want to focus more energy on support services that empower women to continue with a pregnancy. People need to learn that if they are going to have sex, they should be willing to accept the responsibility of that outcome, whether it is love and emotional attachment or a baby.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
"The Little Black Book" has been the centre of controversy around Manitoba for some time now. It is an "address style" book to be distributed to teens, with information regarding a wide variety of topics including a substantial portion on sex.
Recently in our local community newspaper (the Herald), one of the columnists (who shall remain nameless), wrote an article extoling the "virtues" of this Book, expressing her opinion that every single student in Manitoba should receive a copy. In true leftist, socialist fashion, she also slagged any parent for opposing the handing out of this so-called information. She was extraordinarily rude in her “request” for parents who have concerns about the “Little Black Book” to “give their heads a shake” showing not only her immaturity level, but a complete lack of understanding of what it means to be a parent.
The author advises parents with concerns that "it's not 1950 anymore! Sex is everywhere!" Yes, it’s not 1950 anymore, and sex may very well “be everywhere”. Responsible parents monitor how much of this and in what capacity it reaches their children. My children have never, ever been exposed to Sex in the City, or Desperate Housewives, or whatever the current drivel on T.V. is. My husband and I ensure they are not watching any T.V. without our consent as to what they are viewing. If something is objectionable; we shut it off, and explain why. As a family we enjoy popular music, current movies and read the newspaper daily. I know many other responsible parents who are also raising their children to be discerning as to what is appropriate. This is not hard to do; it just takes serious commitment, time and a desire to raise good children.
The author of this column believes the Black Book is a “book of facts”. I have seen several examples of the so-called “facts” being purported in this book; they are nothing short of pornography. Where are the facts that show that the only 100% surefire way to prevent STI’s is abstinence? Where is the accurate, truthful information detailing the dangers of casual sexual encounters; of drugs or alcohol? What about the fact that condom failure has been rated as high as 30%? Where is the information on how to build self-esteem, and the importance of self-respect? Children need to learn the beauty of sex within the boundaries of a loving, committed marriage, the way it is meant to be experienced.
The loose, liberal values types have had their chance to “educate” our youth regarding sex – for over 30 years, in fact. What do we have to show for it? Epidemics of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (just because people are trying to change the name to “infections” doesn’t lessen the fact that these are still diseases.) Out of control promiscuity; soaring rates of teen depression and anxiety; higher incidences of suicide of our youth who constantly feel devalued, used and generally “not good enough”.
It is high time for change. Serious education regarding a basic respect of life, the overwhelming benefits and advantages of abstinence and chastity, (100% success rate for protection against unplanned pregnancies, unwanted STDs guaranteed!!) as well as teaching our youth about self-control and accepting responsibility for themselves will give them much better tools to deal with life than any “little black book” could ever hope to aspire to.
Recently in our local community newspaper (the Herald), one of the columnists (who shall remain nameless), wrote an article extoling the "virtues" of this Book, expressing her opinion that every single student in Manitoba should receive a copy. In true leftist, socialist fashion, she also slagged any parent for opposing the handing out of this so-called information. She was extraordinarily rude in her “request” for parents who have concerns about the “Little Black Book” to “give their heads a shake” showing not only her immaturity level, but a complete lack of understanding of what it means to be a parent.
The author advises parents with concerns that "it's not 1950 anymore! Sex is everywhere!" Yes, it’s not 1950 anymore, and sex may very well “be everywhere”. Responsible parents monitor how much of this and in what capacity it reaches their children. My children have never, ever been exposed to Sex in the City, or Desperate Housewives, or whatever the current drivel on T.V. is. My husband and I ensure they are not watching any T.V. without our consent as to what they are viewing. If something is objectionable; we shut it off, and explain why. As a family we enjoy popular music, current movies and read the newspaper daily. I know many other responsible parents who are also raising their children to be discerning as to what is appropriate. This is not hard to do; it just takes serious commitment, time and a desire to raise good children.
The author of this column believes the Black Book is a “book of facts”. I have seen several examples of the so-called “facts” being purported in this book; they are nothing short of pornography. Where are the facts that show that the only 100% surefire way to prevent STI’s is abstinence? Where is the accurate, truthful information detailing the dangers of casual sexual encounters; of drugs or alcohol? What about the fact that condom failure has been rated as high as 30%? Where is the information on how to build self-esteem, and the importance of self-respect? Children need to learn the beauty of sex within the boundaries of a loving, committed marriage, the way it is meant to be experienced.
The loose, liberal values types have had their chance to “educate” our youth regarding sex – for over 30 years, in fact. What do we have to show for it? Epidemics of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (just because people are trying to change the name to “infections” doesn’t lessen the fact that these are still diseases.) Out of control promiscuity; soaring rates of teen depression and anxiety; higher incidences of suicide of our youth who constantly feel devalued, used and generally “not good enough”.
It is high time for change. Serious education regarding a basic respect of life, the overwhelming benefits and advantages of abstinence and chastity, (100% success rate for protection against unplanned pregnancies, unwanted STDs guaranteed!!) as well as teaching our youth about self-control and accepting responsibility for themselves will give them much better tools to deal with life than any “little black book” could ever hope to aspire to.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Lifesite News has reported that
"both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) are recommending that all pregnant women, not just those over 35, should be screened, including with invasive procedures such as amniocentesis, to discover whether they have a risk of bearing a child with Down’s Syndrome."
The purpose of this is to give women "the opportunity" to abort their baby (oh excuse me, if the baby is not wanted it is "the pregnancy") if there is a chance that their "product of conception" will be less than perfect. The SOGC is going as far as to ensure that all
"Pregnant women over the age of 40 should “automatically be given amniocentesis", as reported by the National Post.
Does this mean they are considering this to be a mandatory screening? With my last pregnancy at the age of 38, even my obstetrician, who knows very well that I am a staunch pro-life activist, really pushed for me to have an amniocentisis (no, I did not.). What will happen if women refuse? Will our medicare system refuse to cover expenses of this birth? Perhaps penalize us financially? Don't laugh....this is not past the realm of possibility....
This is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt at eliminating the disabled of our society, in other words, the practice of eugenics. Already 89 percent of Down Syndrome babies in Canada, and 90 percent in the U.S. are killed before birth. Is this being fueled by the economic pressures of our health care system? With the current push for the acceptance of euthansia, and indeed, the acceptance of the "right to die" turning into an "obligation to die" so as to not be a further burden on our already overwhelmed health care(?) system, it is only a matter of time before infanticide becomes the next accepted "solution".
The other statement I take great issue with comes from Dr. James Goldberg, the former chairman of the ACOG's committee on genetics. In an interview with the New York Times, Dr. Goldberg said
that the recommendation to offer younger women the invasive procedures was worth the risk of miscarriage. He said that for most couples, “losing a normal pregnancy secondary to the procedure is not as problematic as the birth of a Down syndrome child, so they’re willing to take that risk.”
Wow. What a complete affront to those of us who have lost children to miscarriage, and to those who are raising a Down syndrome child. So, it's better to have a child die than to have a child with Down syndrome? This Dr. Goldberg has obviously never spoken with any parent who has actually lost a child through miscarriage. To suggest that it is better to miscarry than have a baby with a birth defect shows just how little human life is valued.
Here in Manitoba, we have groups, the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities, the Down Syndrome Society, Autism Society, and several others. Wherever we are in Canada, we need to encourage members of these organizations to stand up and be counted as members of a Right to Life group. We need to actively invite them to join, and to have their members automatically belong to our Respect Life Organizations.
We need to strengthen our numbers. If we don't all band together, sometime in the not so distant future, we may all find ourselves the target of some sort of "elimination" campaign.
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