Sharing the Message of Christ

I believe that, as a Christian, I have a duty to share the Word of God and message of Christ's salvation to all people.

I'm sure this surprises some people. Some might be saying "But you never talk about Christ or try to convert atheists. You don't really believe that." Other people might say "Really, you think that? I've never had you force your Christianity on me."

This is a good thing. I don't want people to think of me as that person who tries to force Jesus on others, or who talks all the time about Jesus.

There is one analogy which has stuck with me since I first heard it. Imagine the most juicy, delicious, perfect cheeseburger (or tofuburger for the vegetarians/vegans). It is perfectly cooked with exactly the toppings that you want. The bun is not soggy or too dry, and it fits perfectly into your mouth. You are hungry, and a cheeseburger is exactly what you are craving. It sounds almost too good to be true.

Even though you want this cheeseburger, and even though it's perfect... if someone were to take that burger and try to force feed you, shoving it down your throat... you would choke. You would fight back against the person, cough up the burger, and feel sick. The perfect burger, bitten and spit out, would be ruined.


Jesus Christ is the same way (sidenote: please do not try to eat your Christ). If you take Jesus and try to shove Him down the throat of a non-believer, they will cough Him up and dislike both Him and you for it. However, if you inform the person about Christ, and then allow THEM to choose him; allow THEM to pick Him up and accept him- then you'll find a new follower of Christ.


This event does not happen overnight. It is a long grueling process of acceptance and refusal and learning and understanding. But if I may, I would like to provide the example of Angie, self proclaimed AntiTheist.

From my understanding, an Anti-theist is someone actively opposed to theism and religion (at least, organized religion). Angie seems to have had a bad experience with Christianity and religion, and no longer agrees with these beliefs. Let us see how she responds (and how others whom she agrees with respond) to different types of "Christian" speech.

@DeafAtheist Hateful Christians. I guess now you know what the H stands for, in Jesus H Christ. # @antitheistangie

1

@antitheistangie reading some of the "christians" comments. I'd much rather go to Hell.

2

*snort* "Murdering bitch will be tweeting from hell when she meets her maker" Damn, I HOPE hell has #twitter! #livetweetingabortion #atheist

3


It seems... pretty bad. These are all comments in response to "Christians" who spoke cruelly and rudely to Angie. They called her names, threatened her, told her she was a murderer and going to hell. This is the response they invoked.


Now, there are some Christians like myself who have not condemned Angie. We have spoken kind words to her, apologized for the words of other Christians, and tried to find understanding in her situation. This is Angie's response to those messages:

Thanks especially to all the #prochoice Christians who read your Bibles! Ha, never thought I'd be thanking someone for that again #atheist

4


How amazing! She is actually thanking Christians for following the Bible.

@feminismxianity @Kushielsmoon Thanks for being kick-ass #prochoice Christians! #atheist #atheism

5


There is a vast difference between these comments and the previous ones (there is another positive quote, but I can't seem to find it). Positive, thankful and uplifting. These are *good* comments. Completely opposite of the previous comments, where hate and bullying was seen.


Now, I do not think that I am responsible for these comments. But I do think that they are so much more important than the hate filled comments others sent her way. Did calling her names make her want to become a a Christian? No. Did telling her that she was going to hell make her like Christians? No.



As Christians, we must remember that we cannot shove Jesus down people's throats. We cannot MAKE people love Christ. God gave us free will, and this was for a reason. A person must want to believe in Christ. The words of the Bible are not enough to convince people, we must also ACT like followers of Christ. Christ knew that we are ALL sinners. When a group of Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus, looking for Jesus to condemn her- Jesus told them "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7. We too must remember this teaching, difficult as it may be. We are not to condemn people. Jesus saved people from their sins instead of punishing them.

Sometimes, in our actions, we will succeed at showing the truth of Christ's message. Sometimes we will fail. As long as we try, without shoving Jesus down people's throat, we have done our duty.

Associations with the word Abortion

It seems that many people are confused about what an abortion is. Some people claim that an abortion is murder- this is obviously wrong. But there are some beliefs which go largely ignored. For instance, many people believe that abortion means to intentionally kill a fetus. These people associate the word abortion with bad things. This is not what abortion is about.

Abortion: In medicine, an abortion is the premature exit of the products of conception (the fetus, fetal membranes, and placenta) from the uterus. It is the loss of a pregnancy and does not refer to why that pregnancy was lost.

A spontaneous abortion is the same as a miscarriage. The miscarriage of 3 or more consecutive pregnancies is termed habitual abortion.

Source

I think it's very important to pay attention to the part which says abortion "does not refer to why that pregnancy was lost."

A woman who aborts does not necessarily have negative feelings towards the fetus. A woman who aborts does not necessarily have the intention to kill anything. A woman who aborts does not even have to have a living fetus within her body.


Antichoicers want us to think that abortion is a bad thing. It is not. Abortion is not a terribly, horrible act. It is a medical procedure, just like other medical procedures. There is nothing wrong with a woman who has an abortion, regardless of her reasons for the procedure.

The use of the term "spontaneous abortion" in reference to a miscarriage proves that the antichoice opinion of abortion is simply incorrect. Many antichoicer will fight tooth and nail to tell you that an abortion is a bad, evil thing... but a miscarriage is not.

However, we see that a miscarriage IS an abortion. This simple evidence proves that the antichoice view of abortion vs miscarriage is wrong.

We need to stop letting antichoicers control our language. We should not be afraid to say the word abortion. It's not a dirty thing. It's a life-affirming medical procedure.

Prochoice support for Birthing Women

As a prochoice women, I know that prochoice is about more than just abortion.

It seems, though, that these other reproductive rights are often forgotten. Many prochoicers rightfully believe that abortion is the right most in jeopardy, and thus the right which needs the most of our attention.

But in our efforts to protect a woman's legal right to abort, we must ensure that we don't forget about the other rights which need our efforts.

Many people act as though a woman who wants to give birth will be allowed to do whatever she wants. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. There is a huge problem in America of doctors performing procedures on women either against their will, or after forcing the woman to agree after lying and threatening her.

These actions performs by anyone other than a doctor in a hospital would be considered a huge assault on women everywhere. However, it is ignored simply because it happens in a hospital.


This acceptance of harmful birth practices has got to stop. As a group which supports equality for all, with a special focus on women, prochoicers need to speak up against these actions. As prochoicers, we need to make sure that we speak out publicly against transgressions in the birth room.

Parenting: what really matters

Going a bit off topic here, but not very far.

As I participate in the birthing community, I see a lot of discussion and topics about stuff. Items that women need or want, or items that infants need or want. Cribs, outfits, nursing tops, chairs, bras, toys and bottles, among other things. I'm sure, with an infant or toddler in the house, these are very important things. But are these the things that really matter?

Probably the second most talked about subject is life-style choices. Is one going to breastfeed or formula feed? Is one going to do co-sleeping, or does junior have a crib? Is one going to baby-wear or own a stroller? These too are surely important things to discuss, especially among partners. It's always helpful to gain knowledge by discussing with friends as well. But again, I ask, are these the things that really matter?




I can tell you that I don't know if I was breastfeed or not. I don't know if my cord was clamped right after birth or if my parents waited. I don't know if my mother did cloth diapers or disposables; I don't know if she co-slept or baby-wore or participated in CIO.

I do know that she was there for me as a young child, and that she loves me.


At the end of the day, your baby doesn't care about the little details. The important thing is that YOU are there for him/her. You, as the parent, need to spend quality time with your child(ren). As much fun as it is to sit and read blogs all day while your young one plays quietly nearby... is that how you want his/her young life to start? Is that how you want to be remembered?

Of course we cannot spend all day and all night playing and cuddling with babies. Some parents choose work, some parents get stressed out, and EVERYONE needs sleep! Nevertheless, some quality time spent with your child(ren) should be worked into everyday. Some days you might have more time than others. But it's that participation and connection that matters!

Do I have to support abortion-rights to go to Planned Parenthood?

Absolutely not!

Planned Parenthood offers it services to all women, regardless of their position on abortion. You do not have to be prochoice to use Planned Parenthood to obtain healthcare services.

The job of the clinic workers is to provide you with safe, confidential and accessible care. They are not there to push their political beliefs upon you. They most likely wont even mention abortion at all, unless you're there for pregnancy options counseling or you bring it up.

Not every Planned Parenthood location provides abortions, either. Look up your local Planned Parenthood clinic, and see which services they provide. Some of the clinics even allow you to request an appointment online! Very accessible.


Most people who go to Planned Parenthood are not there for an abortion. Most people are there for STD testing, contraceptives, pap smears, yearly exams, or other non-abortive health care. So don't feel strange going to Planned Parenthood- they are there because they want to help you!

Black and White

First off, I wish everyone well on this Ash Wednesday as we enter the season of Lent.

The world is a wonderful, colorful place. There are plants of different colors, houses of different colors, animals of different colors, and people of different colors.

I must warn you, though. Not everyone lives in this colorful world. Some people live in a world of black and white.

I'm talking about anti-abortion people. I've been seeing a trend lately, where everything they say is watered down into an "either-or" situation; a black and white world.

Now, I will give the benefit of the doubt and say this could be due in part to twitters extremely short 140 character limit. I know I've watered down a few things I've said because I didn't feel like sending 20 tweets. However, twitter is not the only location where this is happening. We see this black&white stance on facebook, on blogs, in the news, etc. It's everywhere.

I believe that antis create a black and white world because a colorful world, with areas of gray, would destroy their position. For instance:

Murder. Many, many, many antis have told me that taking a life is murder. Period. Anytime you kill a human being, it's murder. Upon this reasoning, they claim abortion is murder.

But looking at this, it should be obvious to us why this is wrong. Not all killing is murder. We have wars, death penalty, suicide, manslaughter, self-defense, police action, and more. There are multiple types of legal killing, and multiple types of illegal killing. If we believe that abortion is killing, that does not make us conclude that abortion is murder.


Another example is the safety of abortion. Antis will tell you that abortion is always dangerous, dangerous, dangerous. It's always bad and unhealthy for the woman. It's always going to give her horrible depression.

However, there are plenty of women who speak in public and online who can testify that abortion does not always cause depression or physical complications or anything else they claim. There are women who will speak up and tell you that childbirth would have killed them, and abortion saved their life.

There are also women who have been hurt by abortion, both physically and mentally. It is not a perfect thing, abortion. As a medical procedure, just like others, it has a failure rate.

As we can see, the issue of abortion safety is not black and white. For some women, abortion is safer than pregnancy and childbirth. For other women, childbirth is safer than abortion. By accepting this, we accept that the best option for each woman is different.

Antichoicers cannot accept that. They cannot accept that abortion could be a best choice for anyone. They cannot accept that pregnancy could be dangerous for anyone. Their black and white world does not allow for that recognition.


Until antichoicers learn to live in color, and to celebrate all the differences among us, we will never be able to make progress or work to reduce the unplanned pregnancy rate. Because there is no one set method which will lead us forward- we must mix together multiple different aspects to reach our goal.

Demonize the Others.

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:27-36


This is probably one of the most difficult of Jesus's teachings to follow. I'm no saint when it comes to those who dislike me. But a brief conversation today about breastfeeding made me think about how similar we are. Someone I thought I completely disagreed with, actually had something in common with me. At first this surprised me. And then I thought... why not?


Why did I think it was outrageous, or impossible, for me to agree with someone? Yes, we disagreed on one topic. But that doesn't mean that person is evil or bad.


I must remind myself daily that I need to love my enemies. I need to love the people who attack me; love the people who yell at me; love the people who call me names; love the people who wish evils upon me. Because even if they hate me, they're still God's children. God loves all of us, even when we do wrong.

So I love these people, and hope that they can find their way back to God. I say a prayer of forgiveness for them and their family. Jesus is the only one who offers eternal forgiveness, but I can forgive them for the worldly crimes against me.

I need to stop feeding the hate of these people. These are human beings, people with families and friends. They obviously have people who love them. They have other personas and attitudes which I don't see. These personas must surely shine positive light on them. In that aspect, they must be a good person. I will be happy for that good person. That they have a good life somewhere, with good people. That they have enough money to own a computer and pay for internet; that they have enough knowledge to join facebook and chat.

My enemies are good people.

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 corinthians 13:1-7

Part II: 40 more lies to deny women equal rights.

This is a continuation of Part I, which is a list of reasons why women should not have abortions. A lot of them lies, a lot make no sense, some are even reasons to choose abortion, oddly. Read on for more.


Reason #41: You may regret your abortion for a very long time

Yes, a woman may regret her abortion. However, facts show that most women don't regret their abortion. Nevermind that, women also regret adoption and parenting (Postpartum depression is a recognized condition, while post-abortion syndrome is not). If a woman is more likely to suffer depression after giving birth, why should she be forced to do that? Let her make her own choices.

Reason #42: Your mom chose life

With that specific pregnancy, yes. Lets focus on the important word here: CHOSE. She had a choice. Secondly, many people wouldn't be here today if their mother's had kept previous pregnancies instead of having abortions (I can think of a few I know personally).

Reason #43: Do to others as you would have them do to you

Is this a reason against abortion and choice? Personally, I would NOT want people to force me to gestate against my will. I would NOT want people to ignore my wants and needs. I would NOT want to die just because someone decided that abortion was wrong. Thus, I support choice.

Reason #44: Going against your value system might not make you happy

This one makes sense, as a sentence. Of course, then we realize that abortion is not against everyone's value system.

Reason #45: Who cares what other people think!

Yes, who cares? Stop letting people like the author tell you what to do. Stop caring what they think, and make which ever choice is BEST for you.

Reason #46: Being responsible is more rewarding than copping out

If the author thinks abortion is "copping out," they don't understand the pressure they've put on women who choose abort. Abortion IS taking responsibility.

Reason #47: Abortion, the responsible choice?

I'm sure there is more to this in the paragraph that follows. Without reading, I'll simply say- yes, abortion is a responsible choice.

Reason #48: So you wouldn’t be a good parent?

This is supposed to be a reason against abortion?

Reason #49: Abortion procedures are brutal

No more or less brutal than other invasive medical procedures. Let women make their own choices.

Reason #50: Abortion may make you unhappy

Birth may make you unhappy. Parenting may make you unhappy. Adoption may make you unhappy. Again- let every woman make her own choices.

Reason #51: Abortion creates secrets, suppression and denial

This is your fault, author. If antichoicers did not make abortion out to be such a big deal, such a horrible thing, women wouldn't have to keep quiet and fear for their lives, safety and privacy.

Reason #52: Suppression leads to anger, depression and forbidden grief

This is a continuation of the previous reason. So I reiterate. Abortion doesn't have to be a secret. Did you know that the majority of teens who abort have at least one parent who knows about their abortion?

Reason #53: The fetus can feel pain

Straight out lie, if we're talking about when the majority of when abortions are performed. Fetuses cannot feel pain until the third trimester.

Reason #54: You can begin bonding with your baby now!

Depending on the woman and the gestation of her pregnancy, yes. Again, is this a reason against abortion? Some women don't want to bond.

Reason #55: Your unborn child can feel, taste, smell, hear, and see

Again, depending upon the gestation of the fetus, this is mostly a lie. Fetuses cannot think or feel when the majority of abortions are performed.

Reason #56: Abortion is playing God

Denying women the liberty to make choices about their own body is playing God.

Reason #57: Why should God bless America when we kill His children?

This one is silly. Why should God bless anyone in the whole world? Because He is our Father, loves us overwhelmingly, and has chosen to give us eternal life with Him.

Reason #58: Saving the planet starts with ending abortion


I've heard arguments otherwise. I don't think popping out massive amounts of children is going to help save the planet.

Reason #59: You can’t compare humans to animals

What in the world does this have to do with abortion? Or a woman's right to choose? Yes, you cannot compare humans to animals- so stop treating women like cattle, and allow them to make their own choices.

Reason #60: The abortion industry is a business

The birthing industry is a business. Oh no? So what?

Reason #61: Abortionists don’t enjoy their job

Actually, the ones who speak up say that they love the work they do which helps women. The only part they hate is the protesters outside their doors.

Reason #62: Abortionists are known to have bad records

This is an absolute, straight out lie.

Reason #63: Women have died from abortion

Yes. However, abortion is safer than carrying to term and giving birth. Most deaths in abortion are in situations where abortion is illegal.


Reason #64: Abortion is not real medicine

Actually, abortion IS real medicine. It's a real medical procedure- one of the most common, in fact.

Reason #65: Right or wrong? It’s all in the words

Not sure what this is supposed to mean. Use your own morals to decide if abortion is right for you?

Reason #66: Every child deserves life

A fetus is not a child. What has the fetus done, to deserve anything? What about the woman? Doesn't she deserve equality and dignity and liberty?

Reason #67: You might be aborting a genius

Or the next Hitler. You never know.

Reason #68: Planned Parenthood clinics are not neutral

That's true. They're in favor of abortion remaining legal, because they don't want women to die.

Reason #69: Planned Parenthood’s beginnings were unsavory

In a way, yes. That doesn't reflect anything on their current situation, though. Nevermind that there are other places to have abortions.

Reason #70: Hitler would have loved abortion

Um, what? Godwin's law?
Hitler would have hated the abortions of his perfect, white race, and loved the abortions of others. That doesn't mean abortion is good or bad.

Reason #71: Hormonal changes cause moodiness around the time most abortions occur!

Hormonal changes cause moodiness all throughout a woman's life. That doesn't mean she cannot make her own choices about her own body.

Reason #72: Abortion isn’t natural

Abortion is natural- a spontaneous abortion happens in 25% of all pregnancies.

Reason #73: Abortion is not a form of birth control

Abortion is a way to control birth, but it is not a contraceptive. This is irrelevant to a woman who's choosing what to do with her pregnancy; she's already pregnant, she doesn't need contraceptive.

Reason #74: Abortion is selfish

More lies. Abortion is not selfish. For some women, it is the most selfless thing they can do.

Reason #75: Abortion may change your relationships

Yes, abortion may change your relationship. But I'm about 100% sure that having a baby absolutely WILL change your relationships. So again... let... the woman... choose... her own risks.

Reason #76: Slavery was legal too

The funny thing here, is that making abortion illegal is making the woman into a slave. So arguing against slavery is arguing against the antichoice side. Besides that, abortion was once illegal in America. Then they legalized it. Problem fixed!

Reason #77: Abortion is unconstitutional

I'm pretty the Supreme Court of the United States disagrees.

Reason #78: Have a child now while you can

First off, how old are we assuming this woman is? And what's the rush to have kids? Children should be had when they can be cared for and are wanted, not rushed to get them out of the way.

Reason #79: The population explosion is an urban myth

Because, you know, throwing 2 million children into the already broken foster care system a year wont destroy it. [/sarcasm]

Reason #80: Abortion is a betrayal of women

And we end with another absolute lie. Abortion is not a betrayal of women. Women have been aborting since 500 BC, whether they do it themselves, do it with midwives, do it with husbands/boyfriends, or have a doctor do it. They will not stop. Abortion is as much a part of womanhood as pregnancy is.