Hope Road

The rights of the unborn is the giant, glaring inconsistency otherwise known as a pink elephant in the corner that so-called “human rights activists” like to ignore. Besides, don’t the annual number of deaths in Iraq pale in comparison to the number of deaths from abortion? If we look at the numbers, the pro-war, anti-abortion candidate is far more compassionate than the anti-war, pro-abortion candidate.

You’re right, Jacob. But I think what human-rights activists are saying is that pro-life advocates ignore other human-rights issues. Regardless of whether that’s true or not, I also think some evangelicals are tired of being told that they have to vote Republican, when they really disagree with the Republicans on so many issues.

I would advocate single-issue voting on abortion. It is worth it. But as a second best choice for those who can’t bring themselves to do that, I would say that if you can’t vote for a Republican candidate just because of abortion, then don’t vote for a Democratic one either.

I agree. Although I cannot vote yet, I am quite staunch in my support of the pre-born. I don’t agree with Republicans *or* Democrats on, to be honest, several important issues, but most Democrats have pro-choice positions so that enough to have me running away in a hurry. I cannot tolerate the intentional death of innocent babies any more than I can on other less vital issues.

However….I do not know honestly believe that having a pro-life president would truly affect much. People will still have abortions whether it’s “legal” or not. What we need to be doing is educating the mothers who are considering getting abortions. They need information, counsel, and encouragement. They need to understand what they are planning on doing and what the consequences are.

I think that could be an even greater accomplishment than having a pro-life president…..More people getting involved personally to help.

Anna,

I have tried to refrain myself from commenting for a long time, but I just need to say something. I understand that you are serious about this and I agree - abortion is a huge problem. Huge. I’m not negating that by saying what I am about to say.

Pro-life in my mind is not synonymous with ONLY abortion issues. In my mind, being pro-life means being pro helping people who have no food or water, it means not killing innocent people in foreign countries who never did anything wrong, it means not killing unborn children, it means researching AIDS and other deathly diseases, it means feeding the billions of families around this world who do not have clean water or any food at all.

I understand where you are, and I have lots of sympathy, I was there. I am still completely against abortion, but I am voting for Barack Obama. I disagree with his views on abortion, but so does he. He, as a Christian, disagrees with abortion. He, as an American, thinks it is unconstitutional to ban the practice. I understand that you will disagree with this and it will make many people on your blog angry. Change the constitution, I guess. But I need to say - my faith really impacts how I vote. And because I believe that billions of people will die over the next 4 years from poverty, war, malnutrition, unclean water, and disease, I cannot in good conscience vote for a Republican.

I hope that makes sense. I understand that you disagree, and that is totally fine. But I just wanted you to know that I strongly believe my position as well, and I feel firm in the other direction. I don’t think single issue voting is worth it. I think it is sad. There are lots of other issues - and Jesus talked about caring for the poor and not murdering a lot. I know you might not post this, and that’s okay too. I just needed you to know that I am a thoughtful, well-read young woman too - and I disagree…

Catalina, I understand what you’re saying. The president does actually have the power to make quite a few decisions regarding pro-life legislation, especially because this upcoming president will probably be nominating more Supreme Court judges. Getting Roe v. Wade overturned would mean that the states would have the decision again, which not be ideal but would be a huge improvement.

And great point about helping the women who are considering abortions. I am such a proponent of that, and have been involved with a center that does that. Most women who are abortion-minded change their minds when they see an ultrasound. That simple fact could change so much. I want to have a compassionate heart for those women who are going through such a hard time.

Alaina, thanks for your thoughts. I think I do understand where you are coming from, and that was my perspective in writing this and in my response to Jacob above. We do have too narrow a definition of pro-life at times, which is why I think a lot of evangelicals refuse to vote for a Republican. That’s completely legit in my mind, even though those aren’t my personal politics. People coming from your perspective have actually taught me a lot about that. It’s good to think outside the “Christian-therefore-automatically-Republican” box.

What’s inconsistent is that people who won’t vote for a pro-war president, will vote for a pro-choice president. If you can’t in good conscience vote for a Republican because of pro-life issues (in the broader sense), how can you in good conscience vote for a Democrat either? That’s why I advocate voting for neither if this is where you find yourself.

I hope that makes sense - I wanted to clarify my point a little in response to yours. Thanks for the interaction, everyone.

Anna,

Thanks for your response. You make a lot of sense about if I can’t vote for a Republican because of broader pro-life issues, then how can I vote for a Democrat also because of broader pro-life issues.

I need to think about that and I really appreciate what you are saying here. I guess I get frustrated about ‘don’t vote’ because I want to see change in this country. But I also get frustrated with ‘vote even if you don’t like anyone’ because I feel our first allegiance is to Christ and Christ alone.

So I’ll think some more. God bless.

“Our first allegiance is to Christ and Christ alone.” Amen to that, sister! I’ll be honest - I have trouble saying the pledge of allegiance. But that’s another topic for another time.

Anna,
I was actually planning on mentioning Supreme Court judges, but I decided not to go that far in my short comment. You are right. He (referring to a pro-life president) would have the power to appoint these judges that would hopefully have the same pro-life view that he does. However, my argument is that women will still have abortions even if it becomes illegal.

As a side note, let’s take a look at our president He’s pro-life……and have we been better for it in the abortion regard? Have things changed dramatically? I think it’s a worthy thing to bring up.

I’m not arguing your view on abortion, I agree, just how to get there, and the practicality of it.

Just some food for thought. It’s great to discuss these things!

Catalina, check out this article: http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/004245.html . It has a lot of helpful information about what exactly a pro-life president can do, and what pro-lifers have done in the past. I didn’t know a lot of this and it helped confirm things in my mind.

Also, women will still have abortions even if it becomes illegal, yes. But we can save so many women who don’t really want to have abortions by making it illegal.

That whole thing is a sticky issue, I know. What helped me was reading the stories on http://afterabortion.com/sharing.html (not for young readers). These are stories submitted by women who are trying to recover from abortions - they are very raw and graphic and not meant to have a pro-life spin. I think we assume a lot about women who have abortions - I think we assume that they always are desperate to have the abortion. Many times they’re desperate to please whoever is making them have the abortion, or they just don’t see another way out.

But… your point is still valid, and that’s where I think the church would need to step up and be there for those women to support them in keeping the baby.

I agree that we can’t in good conscience, vote for a president who would be pro-choice.

However, I can’t agree that not voting is the answer. By choosing not to vote, then we are just turning over the options to everyone else who wants to vote. That can’t solve anything either.

This is an ethical decision, but I think we need to determine which views in the long run will make more of a difference. The President can change policies about abortion, but (I don’t think) not necessarily change policies that will make a long-lasting difference in poverty around the world, besides giving more money and services to those countries that need aid.

If we were able to restrict abortion laws, there would most likely be fewer abortions. They would continue to happen, but maybe the women would have to be more certain this is what they want to do before going ahead with it.

And Obama’s view that pro-life is unconstitutional does not reflect true Christian beliefs in my opinion. The Declaration of Independence demands life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. LIFE! If he truly believed that, he couldn’t hold to pro-choice beliefs. How can we respect him anyway if he compromises his beliefs to be an “American” and uphold our laws?

Now I still don’t know who I’m going to vote for, but it will certainly be for someone who is pro-life.

I think asking people to not vote is horrible advice. I’d much rather vote for a “lesser of two evils” situation than let ACTIVE democrats run my country because I wanted to stay home and pout that my candidate isn’t on the final ballot!!

Kayla, I think the president does actually have a lot of power to influence poverty around the world. It’s debatable whether we want our government involved in that, but many people do. So it’s a valid discussion.

Great point about Obama’s “unconstitutional” stance, though. If something is wrong, does it matter whether the Constitution says it’s right? Granting that making abortion illegal would be unconstitutional (which is no small claim), does that ultimately matter for us as Christians? Hitler “legalized” the Holocaust - so did that make it right?

Yes I am not all read up on my issues–so my claim that poverty wouldn’t be taken care of isn’t really backed up. I’ll have to research more.

Amy, I agree with you as well. I think voting especially in cases like these is vital!!

Okay, one last point of clarification, then I have to leave.

- I am a single-issue voter. I vote on candidates based on the issue of abortion. I strongly urge others to do this as well.
- Many evangelicals honestly and truly have problems voting for a Republican candidate because of other issues.
- If you are one of those people who doesn’t want to vote Republican because of pro-life issues, it is inconsistent to vote Democrat also.
- Therefore, if you cannot vote Republican because of that, I urge you not to vote at all.

There is my argument in a little summary. I don’t want to make it sound like I think people shouldn’t vote. I absolutely advocate voting against abortion. But I’m granting that some people may not be able to vote for a Republican, and if that’s the case, I’m advocating not voting at all instead of voting pro-choice.

Okay, I’m done.

Well, one issue here, I guess it depends how one defines “anti-war,” but I find I personally find the idea of a candidate who would *never* use military force to protect the US to be monstrous. I want to get out of Iraq, and think that war was a mistake from the beginning, but like it or not, sometimes war is the only way to protect the homeland. I see nothing inconsistent about pro-war and anti-abortion. Just my .02

if your argument held water Anna, no one would ever vote. It’s impossible to find a candidate who agrees with you on every important moral issue. It’s also ridiculous to think that you even should be looking for one who does.

I vote for who I think is going to best represent this country as our leader - there are many reasons why I’m voting for Obama.

you also oversimplify the abortion issue as do so many so called prolife people

your heart is very sweet and committed to God anna and I love that but to suggest people not vote at all simply because you find their voting “inconsistent” is really oversimplifying the entire political process.

I know very very little about American politics, but I reacted to your ‘if you disagree with xyz’ don’t vote at all.

As Mak has pointed out, no one up there running is going to be true to every single point you’d like them to be.

But not voting at all is sitting on your hands where other issues could be attended to and well established through good leaders (despite the one point you might disagree with).

You’re not doing evil by voting for a leader that may not have everything ‘right’ in your eyes. I don’t even think you have to condone EVERYTHING the leader is on about.

In Australia we HAVE to vote. You do not get an option. I love this, because it forces you you to look at who’s standing and evaluate who is going to be the best for the country/state. It’s a communal responsibility.

Anna,

Just wanted to say Amen to your stance.  Childish, ignorant, unrealistic or irrational as it may seem to some, I have a similar feeling on the matter.

Thanks for being your own person and not feeling compelled to vote for something that you don’t have conviction(s) for, although the "patriotic" thing to do is to exercise your right to vote according to some folks.  Then again, who knows, maybe your just being extreme, and rigid ;). 

2nd Timothy 2:3-4
3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

Grace and peace be with you.

Boundless has now picked up the topic: http://www.boundlessline.org/2008/03/young-evangelic.html

I agree that there is more to being pro-life than being anti-abortion. It’s something I’ve blogged about here: http://jdouvier.blogspot.com/2007/12/anti-abortion-is-not-always-pro-life.html
It is quite clear that being against abortion does not make you a compassionate, humane person. However, if you are going to claim to stand for human rights, I do not see how you can not be anti-abortion.

Mak, there is absolutely nothing ridiculous in looking for a candidate who agrees with you. I welcome the change to vote for someone who shares my values. Who doesn’t? It’s irrational to not look for people to vote for who agree with you.

Finally, I think we need to ask ourselves if a country that that does not respect human life deserves to continue? When is too far too far? I’m not advocating rebellion, nor do I think that we are beyond hope, but seriously, how can we say we support and protect human liberties when we continually deny them to the unborn?

I know that I cannot vote for McCain, but I think that instead of not voting it all, you should at least write in the name of someone you do want for president.

Interesting thoughts, everyone.

I come to this as a libertarian so to some extent I am fine with everyone just doing whatever they want (aka life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which may include religion or the absence thereof)—within the confines of law. I do not believe the US is a religious nation or should be by any stretch. But I believe that abortion is murder with a less revealing name attached to it—therefore it should not be protected under the law. Where on earth did anyone get the absurd idea that abortion could be remotely constitutional? Shall we say, then, it unconstitutional that murder is considered a crime?

Anna - even with that said, I DO think that it’s going to take a whole load to change the current abortion situation. We can make some measurement of progress in the political arenas, but as I stated before, it really comes down to the woman’s choice, and who helps her make that choice. I applaud you for helping out at a crisis pregnancy center - it’s people like you who really change things for the better.

Everyone - I encourage you to read Randy Alcorn’s book on this very subject, “Why Pro-Life?” Even if you don’t agree about how to solve the problem, it will give you important statistics, aids and information to help you in your decisions in these matters.

I now step off my soapbox….

What a great discussion everyone. While I respect a decision not to vote, I disagree for a number of reasons. However, I will proffer a solution.

If you are not happy with the candidates on election day, you can write in a name on your ballot and vote that way; won’t do any good, but at least you can honestly vote and express your desire.

Thanks for the thoughtful and challenging post.

I’m not sure if I’m one of those Evangelicals who has “fetus fatigue”. I do have serious doubts that the reversal of Roe v. Wade will eliminate (or even reduce) abortion.

I believe the best way to limit/restrict/elimate abortion is for Evangelical Christians and like-minded folks to spend more and more energy promoting life (investing in 3D songograms, funding adoption assistance, creating more care centers) rather than protesting death (picketing abortion clinics, lobbying politicians, signing petitions).

Maybe there is a place for both, but until we inspire women (and those who influence them) to have the desire to give life to their child, abortion will continue to be a tragic reality in far too many cases.

I cannot in good conscience vote for Clinton or Obama for their pro-choice stance among other issues I don’t agree with.

However, I will not vote for McCain for his pro-war stance and what seems to be a loose understanding of many issues.

So, I will be writing in Ron Paul’s name. Anti-war, pro-life (overturn Roe v Wade and leave it to the states), consistent voting record, Christian.

The argument can be easily made that I might as well not vote, but I will for my conscience and to add my support to Dr. Paul’s message which will not go away as the Washington cabal continues to bankrupt our country.

That’s a good point, cool dad. There are other options besides McCain and Obama/Clinton.

I am not usually politically energized, but re-reading my post makes me sound pretty intense.

“…as the Washington cabal continues to bankrupt our country?” Whoa! I need a nap.

I have to agree with Pete. The solution is not making abortions illegal. If you think that will stop abortions, you are wrong.
The solution is changing the circumstances that motivate a woman to end the life within her. I have been there … both as a young woman with an unplanned pregnancy and as the mother of a young woman with an unplanned pregnancy. In fact, I lay on a table prepared to end the life of said young woman. It was just the hand of God that protected her life and mine. There was no support for me then … financial or emotional … from those who claimed to walk in the love of Christ, from those who would have been horrified to know where my desperation took me, from those who chose to judge and condemn me.

There was no crisis pregnancy center here then. There is now so I thought it would be different with my daughter. Sadly, I was wrong. If she had been a teenager, there were possible homes for her to enter. But at 22, almost 23, there was no support offered. They were concerned with making sure she wouldn’t abort but … then what? She got a few tokens for used maternity clothes, a baby blanket, that was pretty much it.

What about prenatal care? What about helping her figure out that she didn’t have to birth at the worst possible hospital, through the clinic, just because she was on medic-aid? What about counseling, emotional support? What about legal issues and advice concerning the father? What about spiritual mentorship? What about parenting classes? What about meeting the needs of this baby after he is born? What about making it possible for her to choose not to stay with an abusive addict because she sees this as her only option? What about education?

Until we who say we are pro-life and make abortion the number one issue start dying to ourselves, sacrificing in order to make it possible for a woman to choose life, we are hypocrites.

Cynthia, thanks for sharing your story and your own experience. I don’t disagree with you about the need for broader assistance. But as a note of hope, one of my best friends works at a center that has nearly all the features you described - prenatal care, counseling, mentorship, retreats, practical assistance in many ways, including after the children are born, etc. I love this center and its vision, and I believe that kind of an idea is taking hold in other places too. It is so needed.

This issue is one I will never stop being passionate about…I am unabashedly pro-life till the day I die and I thank you for this article! It is a wake up call that many evangelicals would be looking at abortion with indifference!