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Christianity Today, January, 2009 |

Battle Fatigue

Abortion opponents head into Obama presidency after big losses.

Sarah Pulliam | posted 1/08/2009 11:13AM

"The first thing I'd do as President," Barack Obama told Planned Parenthood in 2007, "is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." The bill would remove almost all state and federal restrictions on abortion. But ...

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Lisa	Posted: January 15, 2009 9:46 PM


Could someone explain something to me--and I mean this sincerely because I just don't understand. Many believe it is not a baby until it is born. They believe the fetus is just a lump of tissue. Why then, if a drunk driver hits and kills a pregnant woman, the driver can be tried for killing TWO people? I'm missing something.

BlueDeacon

Posted: January 15, 2009 12:50 PM

I think this should be a wake-up call to the anti-abortion movement, which for the last three decades has always generally split abortion from a general "sanctity of human life" ideology for the sake of political power through conservative organizations and the Republican Party -- neither of which really cared about that in the first place. Well, thanks to right-wing incompetence, indifference and corruption, that power is all but gone today at least on a national level, so perhaps it's time for the movement to rethink not just its strategy but also its alliances and shift to being more consistently "pro-life."

Anna	Posted: January 14, 2009 1:53 AM

I don't understand why anyone would vote for killing the unborn, but they obviously have. The reason for not liking parts of the law being proposed should not be the reason for voting against it. As long as it says no killing it should be voted yes, the objective parts can be worked on later. In the meantime, babies are still being killed in the womb thanks to the no votes. So what does that say about those voting yes to the killing simply because they object to parts of the proposal. Not much, but they will have to answer to their thinking to the one sending the unborn. Sometimes you need to vote yes to something just to get the major part of the proposal which is really the part that stops the killing. The 100,000+ Iraqis, that's not abortion. That's the easy murder of people of a faith by people of the same faith because that faith considers the deaths as martyrs to the faith and considers their faithfull infidels if they are not willing to die for the faith. Another weird thinking

Chuck

Posted: January 12, 2009 12:34 PM

Hermit is exactly wrong! Hermit is making very general, broad-brush statements that skirt the real issue. This is not an either-or issue, it is a both-and. It is morally wrong to support a baby-killer just because that person wants to protect the environment. This is the "greater good" argument, and it is flawed. We should be concerned about greater-good issues, but we cannot do so at the cost of innocent lives. It is ironic that the very kinds of arguments used by Hermit were also the kinds of arguments used by the German Intelligentsia of the 1920's and 30's to advance the "greater good" of the so-called Aryan race. They could kill innocent men, women, and children (who were non-human in their minds) with a clear conscience because they were doing so for the "greater good" of the human race at large.

Joe Chip

Posted: January 12, 2009 8:36 AM

Hermit is exactly right. The same people who are stridently "pro-life" are usually those who voted the current administration into office, twice. What Bush done that is even remotely construed as pro-life? Unjust war in the Middle East, more pillaging of the environment, a sacrifice of our soldiers in foreign lands, continued ruin of the economy -- all this and more. Who is speaking up for the 100,000+ Iraqis wickedly slain since the invasion? I'd like it if the so-called pro-life groups actually were, instead of having such an ignorant, narrow vision that is exploited by the political elite for cheap votes.

A Hermit

Posted: January 11, 2009 8:34 AM

Pro-Lifers can be likened to a person who rushes to the crib to save an infant from sudden death syndrome, while the house is locked and burning down. So called "Pro-lifers" uncritically support those who would not protect our life support system (the environment), who spend billions$ on unjust wars, who support billions$ on weapons of mass destruction, who support economic policies that result in financial hardships for most Americans that destroy family life. Further, the extreme focus on legally banning all abortions has blocked concerted effort to ensure that people choose life over death. While abortion may not be made illegal at this time, pro-life politicians should press for measures that better support the choice for life, and hold this administration accountable, rather than to push for measures sure to fail so they can earn political points while babies die.

kymcarr

Posted: January 11, 2009 1:03 AM

It seems to me that the issue today for young evangelicals is split between abortion and other social injustices. It makes more sense for people to fight for what they can actually see, like children sold into slavery or people experiencing disease and malnutrition because of war and/or poverty. Unfortunately the battle fatigue says more about our trust in the Unseen and how real it is. Just because we can't see God does not make Him unreal and just because we cannot actually see a baby inside it's mother does not make it less human

ounbbl

Posted: January 10, 2009 10:04 PM

This is the first public showing off and the proof that O'hama revealing himself as a fake Christian. Anyone for pro-abortion under the disguise of pro-choice is an anti-Christ par excellence. Hussein is the leader of so many name-sake Christians. Economy is the number one issue? This is secondary issue in real sense. Hey, economy in the playing hand of Satan will go up and down like multiple universe theory. Nothing much any president do for long term to solve the complex economy-energy source-ecology problem we are going to face globally and on the scale of the planet. Spending will usher in inflation. Anybody knows it but nobody is concerned. The poorer will get poorer eventually hanging on the crumb falling off the rich.

caw	Posted: January 10, 2009 2:58 PM


You can't eradicate poverty

IRENE T

Posted: January 10, 2009 2:39 PM


AS PRO-LIFE CHRISTIANS WE CANNOT DEPEND ON OBAMA TO INVITE US "TO THE TABLE" ON THE ABORTION ISSUE. HE HAS ALREADY MADE HIS ABORTION AGENDA CLEAR. TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT HIS CABINET AND THEIR RECORD ON ABORTION. TOO, THE NATION'S ABORTIONISTS HAVE BOLDLY DEMANDED THEIR ABORTION MONEY LIST. TIME TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. WE MUST GET OFF THE FENCE, FOLKS, AND LAND ON THE SIDE FOR LIFE.

Heather in Florida

Posted: January 10, 2009 7:35 AM

Interesting article. I think that the writer is correct in asserting that younger evangelicals favor more restrictions - however, I disagree that younger evangelicals lack the same fire-in-the-belly. I believe that they have the same fire, but manifest that in different ways. They donate to centers that help moms in need and offer alternatives, they help at those centers. Their beliefs inform their choices (many would have voted for Obama but chose not to because of his promises to planned parenthood - several that I know blogged about why they could not vote for him others just voted and spoke about it when asked). I think if we start seeing some moves placating planned parenthood and the like we are going to see a more vocal uprising from this quieter group who still have passion coursing through their veins - but choose to show it, under most circumstances, through aid for pregnant women and the decisions that they themselves make.

john	Posted: January 09, 2009 11:12 PM

Joiningtheconversation you are right on. Specifically, "eradicate the circumstances in which most abortions take place: poverty and all it's systems". Or, "legislate abortion from the booth and from the bench" without suggesting, promoting or providing alternatives for youth to do that lead to these births. Sure, abortion will remain a political topic, but in the meantime how about if a few churches develop programs, classes, seminars, small groups to deal assist with this as well. We are good at that! Name a topic and we've got a program or class. Abortion, here is your sign go stand in front of local Planned Paranthood -- that's a big help.

Dr Allen Unruh

Posted: January 09, 2009 5:23 PM

The Bible says, "Never grow weary in well doing." Why aren't there polls on homosexuaity fatigue. The voters rejected their agenda twice in California but the next day the homosexuals were out in full force and invading churches and marching in the streets. If they can be passionate about what's evil, why shouldn't Christians continue to be just as passionate about the wonton destruction of the image of God and throwing it in the garbage. This issue goes to the heart of what it means to be an American. If the inalienable (God-given) right to life is repealed, all life has value only based on subjective values whether you are wanted, needed, loved or convenient. Lincoln said, "If America ever fails it will be because we will have committed national suicide from within." PP outspent us 4 to one in SD and 99% of their money came from California and NY. Where are the Christians nationaly when we needed them? WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP like Wilberforce who fought 30 years

Ohh here we go again

Posted: January 09, 2009 5:16 PM

Psalm 137:9 - the human heart is full of all kinds of evil. God's word weaves a tapestry of his communication to our flawed reasoning. Murder is murder, period. Unjust war leading to unfounded and uncalled for death (I personally don't believe that we were 'called of God' into wars that profit the elite and have no end) and unjust abortion that results in stealing a life...I don't know that God weighs one more heavily than the other. Quit pitting sides between your Democrat and Republicans selves, it will all be burned as chaff when the Lord comes.

http://joiningtheconversation.blogspot.com/

Posted: January 09, 2009 4:16 PM

really, abortion fatigue? have people really been fighting all that hard to eliminate abortions since the 70's? I mean, *really* fighting hard? Or have people been putting their energy into votes and being angry? I'm a young evangelical, and I care very much about abortion. But I believe in both a consistent life ethic that runs from conception to death, and in the fight to find a strategy to promote life across the board. I don't see that in the abortion platform the Republicans put forth. It is so frustrating to see fellow believers spending so much energy on trying to legislate abortion from the booth and from the bench while I look back and see 35 years of opportunity lost to promote and preserve life in actual day to day humanity. I wonder what our country would look like if supposed "prolifers" had spent 35 working to eradicate the circumstances in which most abortions take place: poverty and all it's symtoms. It's hard to see 35 years of missed opportunity and misplaced anger.

Mark	Posted: January 09, 2009 3:22 PM

There is abortion fatigue. Most people either have had family members or have friends who have had an abortion and admitting it was an act of murder is something people would rather not want to face. It should come as no surprise to Christians that lost people act like lost people and try to rationalize and justify their sin. Gay marriage is another example of the attempt to legitimize what God calls sin. However fatigued Christians might be, we must continue to stand for God's truth without compromise, proclaim the name of Jesus Christ and continue to preach the gospel of peace and forgiveness that is found in Christ. If fatigue leads to compromise then we too will be guilty of sin and the blood of the lost will be on our hands because we failed to tell them the truth. We may never see the end of abortion in our lifetime, but we only fail if we quit fighting.

susan

Posted: January 09, 2009 2:26 PM

The first thing I would like to say or ask is WHY do we address this issue as though it were an evangelical thing? I am "evangelical" as all Biblical Christians are. Catholics are the biggest fighters against abortion and they will not change, just as ALL Christians should be involved in this 'battle'. This is a basic HUMAN RIGHT ISSUE that the WHOLE world shoud be addressing, not just Christian! This issue is being ignored by the hypocracy in the whole world...the UN, etc...the hypocracy of calling for HUMAN RIGHTS and SOCIAL JUSTICE while disregarding the unborn...Just because we don't know what to do with all the children who would be born, doesn't mean to let them die. Why aren't the "great" representatives in the UN, the leaders of the world, etc. able to stop abortion? I am never going stop fighting for the unborn. I do not need to see results of my life in Christ. If one knows the Truth, one just lives it...to the end. Abortion will stop. God will do it in His time.

steveskeete@caribsurf.com

Posted: January 09, 2009 12:44 PM

Three things struck me in this article. First, the startling statistic that since the 1970s the rate of abortion has stayed relatively the same at around 1.2 million. In other words, close to 40 million abortions or 40 million lives lost. If nothing else, that number of persons deprived of life should energize even the most chronically fatigued in the pro-life movement. The class of 1973 should not give up on this issue, since it truly is a matter of life and death. Second, is the statistic which says that younger evangelicals "are more supportive of abortion restrictions than older evangelicals" are by 70% to 55%. "Fire in the belly" usually comes after truth strikes home. So the fact that young evangelicals seem to understand the issues involved in abortion augurs well for the future of the fight. Finally, the statement by the in-coming president that first on his social agenda "is signing the Freedom of Choice Act." What else is that but a call to a fight to the end.

Scoti Springfield Domeij

Posted: January 09, 2009 12:13 PM

When will “pro-lifers” become “whole-lifers”? I’m prolife from the womb to the tomb. My beef with the single antiabortionists' battle cry is their restricted vision. The defeated Colorado Amendment 51 would have increased state sales tax by two cents on every $10 purchase (not food, utilities, but WANTS) to fund services for society’s most vulnerable—the developmentally disabled. PRO-LIFERS WERE AGAINST ENDING THE WAIT LIST. The church is unwilling to set aside 10% of the 3rd year tithes (Deut. 26:12) for the widows/orphans/strangers or give up a measly two cents. When moral legalists take responsibility to tangibly provide or sacrifice for those they claim to care about, then maybe they’ll gain a seat at the table. Their actions and votes FOR 'defining a person' and AGAINST HELPLESS 'special needs people' speaks profoundly louder than their pious words. http://en.wikipedia.org

blacksho89

Posted: January 09, 2009 12:11 PM


Yes, absolutely. Because there is war and divorce, abortion is acceptable.

Anonymous

Posted: January 09, 2009 11:29 AM


There are just so many battles to fight, such as gay/lesbian "civil rights" which has the potential of great harm to ministry, helping the poor, unsavory businesses in your community, and the abortion. In other words, all the culture wars. We have to pick one or two battles and concentrate on those.

Dave Jones

Posted: January 09, 2009 11:29 AM


Abortion fatigue is a sad fact. But the Christian voice should not falter. The invisible church is the last hope in this struggle. Every life is sacred and formed by God. It is our duty, no matter how tired, fatigued or burned out we are, to oppose this tragic holocaust. And when (not if) abortion loses its status as a hot-button issue, we must oppose it with even greater passion.

Atilla

Posted: January 09, 2009 11:28 AM


We should work on shifting the battle to States instead of Federal level.

Nancie

Posted: January 09, 2009 11:16 AM

While I remain passionately pro-life, I am so tired of the shrill dialogue on both sides, which ends up being a "dialogue of the deaf." People on opposing sides don't listen to each other. They just scream at one another, accomplishing nothing. Education and compassion may be a way forward. The movie "Juno" was wonderful in that it shows a young woman learning (outside an abortion clinic), that her developing baby had fingernails. Then she decides to have her baby and place it for adoption.

Charles

Posted: January 09, 2009 11:05 AM


We need to incorporate new strategies. It begs the credibility of the pro-life movement when there are thousands of unadopted children in foster care systems around the country, while white evangelicals travel the world to adopt European and Asian babies. Yes, those foster care babies are brown and black. What does this say about our collective values?

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