Two years ago this past week, authorities raided the offices of Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia. This raid began as a prescription drug bust, but turned into one of the most gruesome discoveries in the history of this country as officers in this raid saw far more than a drug ring. They were met with blood stained walls, old-corroded equipment, roaming cats using the facility as their litter box, jars filled with deceased babies, and bags of body parts. This was a picture of brokenness that one would expect to see only in a horror film. Gosnell painted himself as a man seeking to help women with healthcare. He painted himself as a man seeking to assist a broken community. He painted himself as a man that cared. However, the reality of Kermit Gosnell was much different. He was a man that lied to everyone about his credentials. He was a man that targeted low income minorities. He was a man that cared not about his community, but only about his bank account. He was a man that snipped spinal cords of breathing, life-filled babies. In reality, Gosnell was no man; he was a murderer and a predator.
I hate to give any breath to the Gosnell case, but I bring it up because our House of Representatives did something last week that I believe is a step in the right direction for our country to begin to heal. Our Representatives voted and passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This Act will restrict abortions in the United States after the fifth month of pregnancy. This seems logical, and most polls show that this is the direction the American people are seeking, as a majority of citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, argue that late-term abortions should be outlawed. This piece of legislation is a giant step in the life movement. I applaud our leaders in DC for seeing a need and seeking to stand for those that cannot stand for themselves. This legislation celebrates women’s health…all women!
I realize that many people will argue that this law is a vast overstep from our lawmakers. Many will argue that legislation like this will only hinder the progress of women’s health. They will tell you that this will force women to visit back alleys or illegal operations for their care and their abortion. They will tell you this and they will be wrong. The truth does not back up their claims.
The claims of back alley abortions have no merit. Kermit Gosnell did not operate out of a back alley. He had a corner office located in the middle of a busy community. He operated for 30 plus years without anyone seeking to end his horror show. He operated without oversight from the very government that allowed him to open his doors and prey on women. He continued, after women died, to operate this death hole he called a business. He continued to kill babies day after day with the help of unlicensed and unequipped personnel. He cared not if the baby’s death ended in the womb or outside of the womb. His goal was a clear and concise one as he sought to end the life of any and all babies being carried in his care. He did this right under our nose. There was no hiding as he cashed his bloody checks. There was no hiding as he traveled the world on the backs of the women he mutilated. There was no secret in his motives. He was operating in the open and allowed to do so because there was no legislation or law stopping him, which is why I thank the House for this passing.
Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood believes this legislation, however, lacks compassion and respect. She argues that this 20-week ban would hurt women. I appreciate Mrs. Richards’ opinion and her “care” for women, but I am a bit confused at how far her care actually goes. I would argue that this ban is full of compassion and respect. This ban is full of compassion and respect because it shows compassion and respect to the “least of these.” Too many times we neglect the unborn as we discuss these issues. Too many times we neglect the absolute life-changing decision a mother is about to make. This legislation goes a long way in loving and respecting all involved. A decision to end a life is not something that should be made on a whim or flippantly; and make no mistake about it, an abortion’s ultimate goal is to end life.
This is where Mrs. Richards is missing the point. Her love for women stops with the mother. She cares not for the countless little girls that are being aborted. This is where we are different at HOPE. Our love, compassion, and respect overflows from the mother to her baby in her womb. We desperately care about women’s health. We desperately want to counsel and mentor the people in our care. We desperately want to show that life matters, both the mom’s and the baby’s.
Our country has had some defining moments in its history. We have overcome some amazing obstacles. We shed blood, tears, and money fighting for what we believe is right. There is one depressing commonality throughout each of these moments, though, and that is the fact that many of our citizens stood by and did nothing as the world around us burned. I truly believe that the life issue is our next defining moment. How will you engage in this debate? Where will you stand? Will you be silent or will you give voice to those that have none?
Anger and bitterness will not win this debate. Hate and violence will not win this debate. Championing straw man arguments will not bring victory. The winning strategy is one saturated in love and grace. The winning strategy is showered in compassion. As science and legislation continue to point to life, we must be prepared to welcome these people into our churches, our lives, and into HOPE. We do not have a hidden agenda. Our agenda is clear and I am prepared to shout it from the rooftops. We seek to love the women and men of this community. That includes the teenager, adult, and the unborn. Some people will make the arguments that the back alley is ultimately the destination for you. I am here to tell you that this message is a lie. There are places in this community that will love you and love you well, and they are out in the open and they are light filled.
Thank you for your support and thank you, House of Representatives, for seeing the hurting in our communities and seeking to rectify wrongs. God bless.
posted by Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Hope Resource Center
