since we are on the topic... - more abortion stuff. Please play nice.

PrairieMom wrote: Next month South Dakota will be voting on an abortion bill. We voted on one last year too, or the year before, don't remember, but at any rate, we made the national news because of it. So, there is lots and lots of propaganda for both sides floating around.

So, there is this one commercial, I guess it would be classified as Pro-choice that is being aired is causing a bit of a ruckus. It features this couple and their young son. They say that they were PG at one time with twins, but one was doing all the work for the other one, and basically they had to either abort one to save the other, or loose them both. Obviously, they have one son now, so you know what they decided to do.

Okay, so that is the background story. They just happen to be friends of my church and today asked to be placed on the prayer list because they are getting hate mail from pro-life groups.

I am just floored, that a couple that had to make a choice like that, how unbelievability painful would that be, then to threatened by "Christian" groups? I just can't imagine what that would be like.

Anyway, It tugged at my heart strings both as a woman, mother and Christian. I cannot believe how damaging and painful this debate can be.

Danalana replied: It really is amazing how insensitive people--ANY people--can be. Makes me so angry

jcc64 replied: As I said in the other thread, it is an intensely personal decision, and the trouble always starts when people project their own realities and circumstances onto others. No one can know how or why the couple you mention made their wrenching decision- it is their decision alone to live with. And yet people feel perfectly qualified and entitled to know what is best or right for people whose lives they know nothing about. That is the problem with the gov't intruding into our personal lives. It's weird to me that so many people here are steadfast in their resentment of governmental intrusion into all aspects of our lives, from education to smoking to seat belts, but in this most personal area, they welcome the most intrusive governmental response possible.
Idk why I'm wading into this discussion, though, because it just goes round and round in circles.

PrairieMom replied:
Thats the thing. I try not to get into debates over this, Personally, I see it as a pointless discussion since the majority stand firmly on what they believe, and no amount of bickering from either side will sway them. Its a waste of energy.

I was mainly wanting to share a bit about the pain of this one couple. The thought of being faced with that decision makes me want to puke, I just can't imagine. Its a no win type of thing IMO, and the insensitivity of some people.

A&A'smommy replied: that breaks my heart...

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Even if I am not in favor or in agreement with a decision someone makes, I would NEVER, EVER think of treating someone with such cruelty and hatred. Hate mail, rude judgmental comments, and that of the like are completely uncalled for...it doesn't accomplish anything! It's no wonder that sometimes we Christians are seen in this hollier than thou light...because of idiots like these people sending hate mail. Sending hate mail and that of the like is not proper "Christian" behavior (I'm sure God wouldn't send hate mail...He would still show love and compassion no matter what), so they are no more right than the people they are sending the hate mail to. Sad. I hate these situations, it turns off even more people to Christianity and paints a distorted picture of what it's really about. Im' sorry those people are being treated like that. If they were in my church they'd be receiving a lot of prayers and hugs.

Crystalina replied:
Very well said.

Crystalina replied:
It makes you wonder who these people are who call themselves Christians.

I really believe that some very mean spirited and evil people call themselves Christians to make themselves feel better about how evil they really are.

Celestrina replied: I just don't understand people like this. They claim to be "pro-life", yet they would be happier if both were lost instead of just one? Where is the logic in that? A decision like this is near impossible for the parents and they deserve love and prayers.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
It does, doesn't it? There are many people, esp. people who call themselves a Christian, who have a distorted view of what it really means to be one. I would love to know what Scripture they use to back their actions up. If they would crack open a Bible they'd see it's not how God would want us to act. I know everyone falls short, but this should be common sense to someone who is truly a Christian. This reminds me of someone who would commit murder, then use the excuse "God told me to do it" in their defense. Some people twist God's Word in order for it to suit them better or feel better about doing something they shouldn't, which is SO annoying.

My heart goes out to this family.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Well, I can understand it to an extent. It's not that some people would have been happier if she lost both. To some, it's a matter of faithfulness and letting God control His will on his own. Which I completely understand and try to live by, but.......like you said, a nearly impossible decision regardless how big someone's faith is.

You know, I think in this situation, it's really a no-win situation when you look at it (speaking about support from each side of the abortion issue). Some people are calling the mom selfish and unfaithful for doing what she did. But, if she would have chose the other route, the other side of the issue may have called her stupid or cried murder for letting both her babies die when she knowingly could have saved one. She really must have been between a rock and a hard place.

redchief replied:
Hmmm... Why does a picture of me pop up when I read this?

Seriously, though, I think some of what I wrote may have been misread. The only thing I want to see done is the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton because there was no violation of constitutional rights in either case. These cases were judicial legislation, pure and simple, and THAT violates our constitution. There are already enough state laws on the books regarding abortion and in most cases it's up to the states to decide how to handle law and law enforcement within its borders, so the federal government should butt out.

It's awful that those church acquaintances are receiving hate mail from supposed Christians. It seems that often so-called Christians forget that Jesus chose to spend time with prostitutes, a bully and other sinners, and yet the people He admonished were those that spoke ill of those them. I'll pray that my fellow Christians realize how counterproductive and judgmental their actions were and that they instead use their talents to speak publicly about how they feel about Measure 11.

Nina J replied: It would be extremly difficult to make such a decision, I can't imagine being in that situation. And it is beyond me how people could send hate mail. Do they not realise that the alternative was both fetuses die?

One of the twins never would have survived out of the womb, effectively it would have died either way. Their choice allowed the other twin to live. And I doubt they will ever forget the baby they lost. They should be recieving compassion and prayers. Sending hate mail is not showing any faith; I don't think God would look down on those people and commend them. They are better of putting their energy in to praying for the couple and there son, as well as their angel in heaven.

I would feel better about myself if I said a prayer and gave a thought to that couple.

lisar replied: it is sad that the couple was faced with that to begin with. It must have been hard on them.

A&A'smommy replied:
this is exactly what I was thinking do they not realize that THEY are one of the reasons why some people want to stay FAR away from us. We are suppose to show love not hate

Brias3 replied: This sickens me. My heart completely goes out to that family. What an unbelievable choice to have to make, and then to get backlash on top of it. Wow.

I don't even want to get started on this topic, but all I can say is that these so called "Christian" groups need to take a long look in the mirror and walk for one second in the other person's shoes. I have nothing against the faith- heck, I was raised in a Christian household, am a practicing Catholic, and am raising my children in this faith as well, but I absolutely 100% do not agree with some of the viewpoints floating around the church and these groups today. It seems that many have forgotten how God truly wants us to live. I'm seeing less love, forgiveness, and kindness and bundles more evil and finger-pointing. It's quite sad.

Many prayers the way of this family!

redchief replied:
Let's not forget that these are the same kinds of "Christian" groups that picket soldiers' and cops' funerals. They're also the ones that find justification in bombing abortion clinics. These are not mainstream Christians. I liken them to Islamic fundamentalist terrorists. They're not even close to a fair sampling of the likes of the group they purport to represent. I hope your church acquaintances know that most of the world feels for their loss and wouldn't ever, ever want to be in a situation where they would have to make that kind of choice. The only thing that a real Christian should be doing is giving them support and a collective shoulder for them to cry upon.

Even though I know not enough about that case to have made a true educated decision in fact and faith, it doesn't matter. Hate anything is not productive nor will it buy us heaven.