When describing the brazen way in which the nation of Israel would offer their children to idols in hope of personal gain, I thought to myself how could folks do that or even stand by and watch it being done. Then I realized that it is not much different than a modern couple aborting a baby because of inconvenience. That happens every day and I stand by and do nothing.
In watching the video I was outraged that the Israelites could in the one moment participate in paganism and then on the same day go to the Temple to present themselves and their worship to Jehovah God. But then I had to stop and consider how often my personal actions do not really fall in line with my practice of Christianity.
Subscribe to Family Fun & Faith
SRC="http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/KonaLibInline.js">
2 comments:
Good point, FF&F. I guess we all "let" some things happen that we feel are wrong, but sometimes, I think we just don't know how to make a difference.
I have taken a lot of grief about my steadfast anti-abortion beliefs. I've had friends (who I respect) say that unless someone is willing and ready to take in a baby (or all of those poor babies...) and raise them, then they should shut up and let women do what they "need" to do.
I don't buy that at all. First of all, I think we need to teach our kids that sexual activity comes with responsibility. I know that I made that clear to my three. I talked with them (my son as well as my daughters) about not only their responsibility to themselves and their partner (peer pressure, emotions, respect, etc.) but also to any possible consequences, including pregnancy.
I know that you promote abstinence until marriage, and while I don't disagree that it's a nice notion, it isn't always the right choice for everyone. I didn't wait until I was married and I have never regretted that decision, but I also didn't act like sex was a casual thing. Too many fail to give reverence to the sacredness of the sexual connection, instead behaving as though that relationship is no more special than any other. Sad, on so many levels.
You are aware that my beliefs do not fall into alignment with those of traditional Christianity, but wrong is wrong, no matter what lens you look through. I tend to be fairly liberal and most of my liberal friends are pro-choice. It's the one area where we most differ. My conservative friends and I agree largely that abortion is immoral -- but that is often one of the few topics that we see eye-to-eye on.
As far as failing to stop the wrongs that we see, I feel it can be hard at times. I would absolutely support making abortion illegal -- murder is already illegal and I see abortion as murder. The problem is, most every politician who is anti-abortion also holds other views that would prohibit them from getting my support or my vote. I have no idea how help make abortion illegal in a way that I could live with.
Many of the hard-core pro-life people scare the daylights out of me. Fanatical and often plain nuts, they support the bombing of abortion clinics and the killing of doctors (I thought they were pro-life?!), so I certainly cannot align with them. Last year, a group of them stood along a busy street near my house, holding signs with pictures of aborted fetuses. Terrible, horrifying photos. They screamed and carried on, displaying those signs without regard to who might see them. A friend was driving down that road with her husband and young daughter -- her husband covered his daughter's eyes, but had he not been in the car, she would have seen them. She was six years old.
I agree with their basic message, but I abhor their methods. Are there real choices? I don't know.
*************************
Sorry I let this get so long and I know that your post was intended to be broader than just abortion, but this is a subject that I feel strongly about (gee, can you tell?). It makes me both sad and angry when we as a society act like abortion is a "woman's decision." What about the father and more importantly, what about the child?
As always, Beth, I deeply appreciate the reasoned way you approach any issue. On the matter of personal responsibility regarding sexual activity, the fact that you instructed your son in the same way you did your daughters is wonderful, and not the norm. The failure is one of the biggest banes on our society.
I wish I had a lucid way that all would see as the way to do away with legalized abortions, especially when the reason for the abortion is for personal gain or ease of life and responsibility.
I also do not like the insanity of bombing clinics or killing doctors. But I also hate it when it appears that I condone the murder, as you describe it. But there must be a way to protect those that cannot protect themselves.
The idea that a father has no say in the life and death of his child is ridiculous and devisive as any other sexist notion anyone can name.
Post a Comment