Every week it seems there is another story pointing to the absolute degradation of our culture. I realize that many will label this assessment as a musing from a nonsensical prude on our current society. Granted, those that label me as such would probably find very few commonalities with me on just about every topic. I can assure you, however, this post is not from the aforementioned “nonsensical prude.” This post, instead, is from a guy that has deep concerns about the direction on life that the cultural and political elites are trying to take this said culture. These are legitimate concerns that, frankly, should concern us all.
This past week we saw a lot of talk on social media and a Republican debate about life and pregnancy. We heard from presidential candidates, pro-choice organizations, and a women’s fashion magazine. The sad truth about this “talk” was the lack of compassion or care for life and pregnancy. We, instead, were given a lesson on the hateful rhetoric and ignorance of those that hold extreme views.
We were first “blessed” with a very enlightening, sarcasm intended, article by Cosmopolitan. Cosmo decided it would be best to summarize their view of more pregnancies in TX, after the defunding of Planned Parenthood across the state, with a gem of a tweet.
Notice the disdain for life here. Also notice the “sad-face“ emoticon. Is this where we have come as a society? “Women are having more babies” is now a negative truth? Cosmopolitan has recently deleted the tweet, but they continue to push the article and their their agenda by calling for more abortions in TX.
This story alone should be enough to concern us, but there were more stories that deserve our attention. This one comes from the latest Republican debate. Here we heard Chris Christie explain his “pro-life“ viewpoint. When asked about exceptions for abortions he said this, “That women should not have to deliver that child if they believe that violation is now an act of self-defense by terminating that pregnancy.”
Sometimes we find ourselves on the pro-life side being pigeon-holed and attached to a specific candidate or party. This isn’t fair, but it is the nature of the work we do. However, I find it very important to call out any and all candidates when they take stances that are in direct opposition to the life cause. Chris Christie’s statement is damaging to the life issue, but also to those men and women that were conceived through rape and ultimately given the opportunity to live.
I recently read an article by Frederica Mathewes-Green where she expertly discussed the “tug of war” mindset that many abortion supporters believe. Although she did not discuss Christie’s comments, I believe her take on the abortion issue is a great way to look at where Christie stands on life. She had this to say: “This issue gets presented as if it’s a tug of war between the woman and the baby. We see them as mortal enemies, locked in a fight to the death. But that’s a strange idea, isn’t it? It must be the first time in history when mothers and their own children have been assumed to be at war. We’re supposed to picture the child attacking her, trying to destroy her hopes and plans, and picture the woman grateful for the abortion, since it rescued her from the clutches of her child.”
The last issue we faced this past week had to do with NARAL, a pro-choice organization, and their attack of a Doritos’ commercial during the Super Bowl. NARAL said that this commercial was “humanizing” the fetus.
They are attacking the ultrasound here for showing what is actually happening in the womb. This commercial is only guilty of showing us what an ultrasound allows us to see. We see a baby in the womb, and that baby is certainly a human. Moms and dads all across the world agree with this, but this hurts NARAL’s agenda and their constant attack on all things celebrating life.
The above news items are a lengthy introduction to the point I would like to make today. I am afraid that many have forgotten what pregnancy is and is not. I am afraid that the narrative of the day is detrimental to the future of life. I am afraid we have allowed ourselves to truly neglect the amazing truth a pregnancy brings to the world. I hope I can help clear this up.
Let’s start with what pregnancy is not. Pregnancy is not a curse that we seek to reverse. Pregnancy is not a punishment that we seek to correct with discipline. Pregnancy is not a death sentence that we seek to follow through with. Pregnancy is not a dream killer that we accept as truth. Pregnancy is not a temporary event that lasts for a brief time. Pregnancy is not a disease that we can cure via abortion. Pregnancy does not represent a “blob of cells” that has no life or is not a human.
This is clear. Don’t let the cultural narrative change your outlook on pregnancy. Now, let’s look at what pregnancy is. Pregnancy is a blessing that should be celebrated. Pregnancy represents a life that has dreams, DNA, and a heart. Pregnancy is a forever that amazingly never ends. Pregnancy is a gift that should be stewarded well. Pregnancy is a love that is unconditional. Pregnancy is a miracle that we don’t deserve but are blessed to have. Pregnancy is a chance that we must take. Pregnancy is a future that is bright and glorious. Pregnancy is a dream that we pray never ends. Pregnancy is what brought my family Gavin, Summer, and Evelyn…three of the most wonderful gifts I could have ever been given!
Our culture is one that opposes truth. We must all agree that our “emoticon” world needs to get a little deeper. We need to move beyond the surface-level and truly discuss the issues. A woman’s pregnancy should not be represented with a “sad-face.” I’m not denying that a pregnancy can bring about anxiety and concern for the mom facing this, but the cultural narrative should not be pushing for the eradication of pregnancy under the veil of “women’s health.” Instead of attacking women and their babies, why not try celebrating them and serving them as they need assistance?
Are these news’ stories a reflection of society as a whole? The funny thing about mirrors are that they show us our truest self. Is that what this is? Are these news stories a mirror into who we are as a culture? Is this is our identity? Is this our future? I don’t think so. Another funny thing about mirrors is they also allow us to see what changes may need to be made. I pray the news of today will be that reflection that ultimately forced society to change course and make the proper corrections so that we would become a people that love, celebrate, and cherish all life…from the womb to the tomb.
posted by Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Hope Resource Center
