09 October, 2015
Written by Kirk Walden
Published in COMMENTARY
The word “choice” gets more than its share of ink in the abortion debate, certainly. The abortion lobby loves this word; it allows them to avoid talking about abortion, and they don’t have to explain why they truly offer no other choices.
In addition, using the false narrative of “choice” dumbs down the entire issue, as if the ability to choose anythingis somehow an inherent, inalienable right. That’s silly, and anyone with any depth of thought understands this.
We have limited “choice” regarding our driving speed, the use of our property (in my neighborhood I can’t turn my house into a retail store), the pharmaceuticals we purchase (prescriptions), where we can legally discharge a weapon, and so much more.
“It is my body” is not a defense for illegal drug use, using my fist on another person, or for using my fingers to text while driving.
Yet still, those in the abortion industry tout the word as if it is the answer to all questions, the final word on any and all arguments.
It is not. But as long as the word keeps coming up, let’s focus in on the choices made by both the abortion lobby and the pregnancy help community. If this is about “choice,” what choices are each side making?
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First, the abortion lobby. Right now, they are making the choice to double down on defending Planned Parenthood. No matter the conduct of Planned Parenthood officials, the choice is clear: Deflect the accusations through distraction (“The videos are edited; they left out the bathroom breaks!” “Pro-Life individuals made these videos, so they have to be suspect!”).
Another choice? Defend the indefensible. Yawn while others look at the horror of selling the bodies of deceased children, saying casually this this practice, while gruesome, is all about helping people.
The abortion lobby—which includes Planned Parenthood--chooses not to be involved in something else: Parenthood. It isn’t a numbers game to note that in its last annual report, Planned Parenthood brags of 3,905,001 services involving contraception, sterilization and abortion. That’s 3.9 million, folks.
Do you know how many prenatal care services were offered by all Planned Parenthood centers throughout the entire United States? Just 16,684.
Tweet This: 99.5 % of the time, #PPact pregnancy services prevent or end a pregnancy @KirkWalden
So when it comes to pregnancy-related services, 99.5% of the time, those services were related to ending or preventing a pregnancy. That’s the choice they’ve made.
What about us, the pregnancy help community? We make choices, too. I don’t have all of our statistics, but I wish I did. Wouldn’t it be powerful to see all of us reporting—pregnancy help medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers, adoption agencies, maternity homes—and to tell the world what we are accomplishing?
Can you imagine the numbers? Pregnancy tests? STI or STD tests? Ultrasounds? Prenatal care? Mentoring services through Earn While You Learn and other initiatives? Post abortion recovery sessions? Fatherhood connections? Character education initiatives in schools and churches?
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If we added up all that more than 2,500 of our organizations are actually accomplishing, the results would be jaw dropping.
Those results would reflect our choices, which are life-changing. And what are our choices?
We choose to support and encourage those facing unplanned pregnancies, rather than offering a defeatist option.
We choose to believe in those who are struggling, offering new pathways that lead to victories.
We choose to build families, to assist in breaking cycles of dependency and to walk alongside those who opt for new, empowering life decisions.
We choose to reach out to those who chose abortion, without dismissing their heartfelt pain.
We choose to see every human life as carrying intrinsic value and as an opportunity to build a better future for our society.
In the end, while those who champion ending pregnancies shout and scream, we quietly wake up each day, determined to help others as they make positive decisions for themselves, and for those they carry.
Choice? I like the ones we make.
Tweet This: We choose to support those facing #UnplannedParenthood @KirkWalden #DefundPP
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