Is Face the Truth Un-Christian?
— Posted by John (July 1, 2010 at 3:10 pm)
Stand True Director Bryan Kemper reported recently that one of his group’s pro-life T-shirts was banned at a Christian music festival in Kentucky.
The reason? It was too “offensive.”
Hearing about this reminded me of one of the objections we can expect to hear over the next few weeks, during and in the wake of our 11th annual Chicago Area Face the Truth Tour.
I mentioned in a post a couple weeks ago about our page that answers common objections to Face the Truth, but in this post I’d like to focus on one particular objection that I must admit I find it hard to get my head around. Specifically, the charge that showing graphic abortion pictures in public is uncharitable—and even un-Christian, especially because of the supposedly damaging effects it has on children.
Personally, I find it understandable that the average non-religious person might get upset upon seeing a display of graphic abortion pictures.
But I’m gobsmacked when Christians try to claim that showing the victims of abortion in an effort to awaken people’s consciences is actually contrary to our faith.
As Christians, we know that Our Lord Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be mercilessly scourged, crowned with thorns, and forced to stumble — battered, bloodied, and grotesque — through the streets of Jerusalem before being nailed to the Cross. It’s safe to assume that there were children among the crowds that day — these were public streets, after all, and the city would have been filled with families who had come there on pilgrimage for Passover.
Showing Graphic Abortion Pictures: Unpopular, But Necessary
Just as our faith demands that we face squarely the brutality that Jesus underwent for our sake in His Passion and Death, and to share this truth with our children — “Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it” (Proverbs 22:6) — our duty as Christians requires that we face squarely the brutality being done, with the approval of law, to 3,400 unborn children in our midst every day.
Yesterday, the Catholic liturgical calendar commemorated the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church, which reminds us that our ancestors in the Faith were enormously unpopular for proclaiming Jesus “and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). So too, we should not expect to be popular for showing what abortion does to unborn babies. Still, it has to be done.
The very reason we go out there on the streets showing abortion pictures is that so many of our fellow citizens (of whatever religion) need this reminder. They’re not thinking about abortion. And they’re definitely not thinking about those of us who are in the pro-life movement — when they’re not thinking of us as “extremists” who are trying to “force” our beliefs on the rest of society, they’re not thinking of us at all.
If in the wake of our Truth Tours, a thousand conversations begin with “I saw a bunch of anti-abortion Christian wackos today” and end with a frank, and long overdue, discussion of abortion, we consider the insults we have the privilege to bear well worth it.
“Lambs among Wolves”
The reality is that following Jesus Christ is not easy. In fact, it’s extremely demanding, and can be very dangerous — as Our Lord told His disciples: “Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). And, it always requires sacrifice.
Now, if our intent as Christians who show graphic abortion pictures were rooted in pride and vindictiveness, I would agree that doing so is the wrong course of action.
But that’s not at all our intent. Rather, our intent is rooted in love: love of God, first of all, and also love of the babies He created who are victimized by abortion. But also of the parents who are considering abortion, as we do not want them to do something wrong that will cause them enormous hardship, as well as love of those who have previously been involved in abortion, that they may seek the mercy and healing that can only come from our merciful God.
One woman I know who has been participating in our Face the Truth Tours for years once told me that she never looks forward to going out on the street and showing graphic abortion signs. In fact, she dreads it.
She dreads it because she hates the fact that we have to do it, and she prays for the day that we won’t have to.
When we show the horrific images of what abortion actually is, it comes front-and-center into a community. Precisely because abortion is so mind-bogglingly harmful — and has touched so very many lives — nobody wants to talk about it. As the advocates of unborn babies, and as Christians, we have to break that silence.
[Cross-posted at Pro-Life Action League]
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Rebecca says:
‘…were rooted in pride and vindictiveness…’ – no, it’s rooted in your sanctimonious, self-righteous, subjectively opinionated, personal viewpoint as dictated by your intellectual subjugation to an invisible entity providing fulfillment because of what you lack as a person.
‘…abortion is so mind-bogglingly harmful…’ – an untrue statement based on all the above-stated factors.
But you know what? Please feel free to practice your faith. Feel free to conduct your campaign against womens’ free choice. Maybe just ask yourself to what extent you are justified to take things, given that your entire ethos is a minority viewpoint.
Comment posted July 1st, 2010 at 5:24 pm
RSD says:
“Justified”, Rebecca?
As John Paul II once said “If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life”
And AMEN to this woman who ” hates the fact that we have to do it, and she prays for the day that we won’t have to.”
My family and I will be on the July 17th date..and my daughter is bringing her friend…
Comment posted July 2nd, 2010 at 11:35 am
Rebecca says:
Citing the pope is not going to convince me of anything RSD.
The lady will be praying for eternity then won’t she.
I hope your trip involves some elements which are enjoyable for you all.
Comment posted July 2nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
hector78452 says:
Rebecca, abortion hurts women and men alike. It may sounds freeing but it swallows you up in grief, pain, heartache, regret, depression, and more. People do regret abortion, it’s a simple fact. Sometimes you do have to face the truth about what you did to finally start the healing process. God Bless
Comment posted July 2nd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Rebecca says:
Hector, not being able to have an abortion hurts women, men and children. Having children they either don’t want or can’t cope with swallows them up in grief, pain, heartache, regret, depression, and more.
People do regret not having an abortion too. Sometimes you have to deal with reality and the least worse option.
You may have noticed that when four people die in a car accident in the area where you live it makes front page headlines. When fifty-four die in a bus accident in say, Lagos, it might make page 5 or 7 or 9 or 11. Why do you think this is so? I believe that this is the way the vast majority view abortion, the mindset if you will.
Comment posted July 2nd, 2010 at 8:36 pm
hector78452 says:
notice that if a pregnant women is murdered than it counts for TWO murders, but if she was driving to an abortion clinic and she killed her baby, people wouldn’t bat an eyelash at it. That shows just how messed up our society is. A child shouldn’t be considered a person based on how wanted he or she is.
Comment posted July 3rd, 2010 at 10:53 am
hector78452 says:
oh and if parents can’t afford to give birth to more children there is always adoption. If they give the child a better home, they can feel peace about giving them a future. It is human nature to feel guilt and sorrow after KILLING your own child.
Are you going to feel worse after giving birth to an unplanned child or killing it?? Besides, crisis pregnancy centers are there to offer financial assistance to women in these types of situations. My family has donated baby items and money to men, women and children going through unplanned pregnancies who need assistance.
Comment posted July 3rd, 2010 at 10:59 am
Rebecca says:
That would be because the woman did not choose that path and the act was perpetrated without her consent.
Perhaps better sex education and availability of contraception, including RU486 would reduce the need for abortion. Unfortunately many of the same groups who are anti-abortion also preach unrealistic and unachievable social behaviors.
I have also provided material and other support for young single mother groups. But I still support womens’ right to choose.
Comment posted July 3rd, 2010 at 6:50 pm
RSD says:
“…many of the same groups who are anti-abortion also preach unrealistic and unachievable social behaviors.”
Hmmm….excuse me? Unachievable/Unrealistic only to those who lack self-control and the discpline to live it.
Since man is capable of rational thought, this poor excuse brings down people to the level of animals who have no control over their
way of life.
Comment posted July 6th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Rebecca says:
So, no human or societal advancements for you then RSD? We should all still live within medieval strictures? Your assertion of a lack of self-control and discipline verges on fundamentalism.
Mans’ capability of rational thought is what elevates him above animals. That includes being intelligent enough to have developed ways to deal with a way of life that consists of not just ‘coming into heat’ like animals, but having the ability to express pleasure and love.
Comment posted July 6th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
RSD says:
“That includes being intelligent enough to have developed ways to deal with a way of life that consists of not just ‘coming into heat’ like animals,”
——————————
You just answered your own question protesting “unrealistic and unachievable social behaviors”.
Comment posted July 7th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Rebecca says:
Your logic fails me.
Comment posted July 7th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Rebecca says:
Found this on another pro-life site celebrating this little tour de farce – ‘Me and my husband noticed your protest while driving down 59 on July 10 2010. I do believe in the freedom of speech and protest. However, I would like to know if your group thought about the folks who lost their babies naturally? Those pictures were so distasteful. I understand you may want to get your point across though shock value but please be more considerate of others through the images you display in public. Me and my husband lost our baby through miscarriage. Those awful pictures you displayed brought back heartache for the both us. I just ask your group to think about what you display and who it affects. There has got to be more clever ways to get your point across then displaying grotesque images.’
Comment posted July 12th, 2010 at 12:49 am
RSD says:
People who lost their babies naturally are NOT the target audience of the said tour…hence the warning signs several blocks in advance of the display, to allow parents and others to choose an alternate route if they would rather not see the pictures.
*note: I am one of those parents who lost a child to a natural miscarriage…
Comment posted July 14th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Rebecca says:
Why should people, in their own neighborhood, going about their daily lives, have to detour or seek alternative routes just to suit you?
You really do think you are someone don’t you? You do realise you’re on the path to deifying yourself by your actions.
Comment posted July 14th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
RSD says:
Now, who’s getting snarky here?
Comment posted July 15th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Rebecca says:
Grrr! – well what do you expect when you impinge on the freedom of others. Ducking and weaving with your feigned innocence gets a bit wearing.
Comment posted July 15th, 2010 at 4:36 pm