Pro-life, after birth?

Yesterday in doing the usually time-wasting routine of blog hopping and clicking names of people I don’t know on others’ blogs to check out their blogs, and so on, I found a post that struck me.

Are you really prolife, really?

It’s not a debate about abortion, it’s addressing those of us who believe killing a child both before and after birth is wrong. It’s challenging us, we who use that “pro-life” term. And I think it even hits on many of those I know who still prefer the “pro-choice” term, though only by a thread are they over that boundary line.

Here are some blips from the post… (I highly recommend reading the whole post.)

The author quotes C Everett Koop, the former surgeon general of the US, saying she sees being prolife as meaning that you “do things to give a person all the life to which he or she is entitled.” This means not just those who live in our home, but also orphans who live nearby or around the world.

She asks this question…

“Why are so few Christian families adopting orphans? Is it just that they are blissfully unaware that there are languishing children out there desperate for a loving home? If so, news flash friends... there is a child waiting for you.”

Then she addresses an excellent point that I’ve never quite considered…

Here are two very good reasons why you might not want to go rescue them; You do not have enough money or space for a(nother) child and You couldn’t handle a (special needs) child. Did you know those are the two biggest abortion reasons? Not enough resources and can’t handle a child. You don’t accept those excuses from pregnant women...

And she references a difficult and convicting verse from Proverbs…

“Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Prov. 24:12

This topic was also addressed similarly, but differently, by Melanie at The 30 day journey…For hope in a post in December. This idea that those of us who claim to be Christians, Christ-followers, believers, or whatever your preferred term is… that we are responsible to put our actions where our mouths are. Melanie said it like this…

Will God call you to lead a Bible Study while He calls others to adopt orphans? No. As long as there are orphans in the world, we are ALL called, because these children deserve to have a family and a chance at life; they need to know God loves them. If every Christian family in the United States adopted only one orphan, we wouldn't have an orphan crisis around the world, and many Christian families have room for one more child in their homes. I firmly believe EVERY believer is called to care for orphans unless you are aged out of the system, are financially limited or have a physical condition that prohibits you from adopting.....and in those cases, you can still help raise money to assist others in adoption.

You might not agree, and that’s your option, of course. But regardless of your degree of agreement, I think it’s cause to really think. It sure makes me think.