Do you care?

The Dutch organisation Schreeuw om Leven (Cry For Life) has announced it intends to distribute a plastic 10-week-old fetus to show people why abortion is wrong. This is causing an outrage on weblogs and in the media. Many Christians are outraged by this effort also.

It seems to me this initiative is both deeply provocative and thoroughly unhelpful. Deeply provocative in that it will upset many, many people; thoroughly unhelpful in that it will convince absolutely no one. What it will do is the following: it will polarize the conversation and leave many with a bitter taste in their mouth once again.
Schreeuw om Leven has announced that the first round of plastic fetuses will go to medical specialists and doctors. Does Schreeuw om Leven really think these people don't know what a 10-week old fetus looks like? Will anyone really say: "Oh, wow, look at how small - I didn't realize this is what a 10-week old fetus looked like. I've been Prochoice all my life but now I am going to proLife...!"?

But I am not posting to let you know whether or not I disagree with this initiative. I am looking for your input...

As a wannabe trendwatcher (see previous post) I am interested in how Christians are changing on the issue of abortion. It seems to me that twenty years ago this was a hot topic for many Christians in Holland. Christians were always protesting abortion. Then, when I lived in the U.S. (96-99) we experienced an election there. I got to know people who called themselves 'single issue voters', i.e. abortion was the one issue that determined who they would vote for.

Now, in 2008 — and perhaps a little ways into the postmodern/postChristian era— abortion seems to be less hot of a topic. Even in the more conservative U.S. many Christians voted for Obama, even though he clearly pro-choice and has announced that one of his first acts in office will be to overturn some of the prolife measures Bush put in place.

What is happening? Do you still care about abortion? Is abortion an issue in your voting choices? Has your thinking on how wrong abortion is changed? In your opinion, how should Christians respond to this issue?

Of course I have an opinion (you know me...), but I am going to wait a while to see what comes in. I look forward to hearing from you!

Comments

[Erik]

Hey Rogier! I think that this old school style of approaching this problem is counterproductive just like you, but I still think we should voice our concern over the abortion issue.
I think Shane Claibornes answer (which is actually Mother Teresa's is the best), "if you don't want your baby, I'll take care of it."

That is a radical challenge! This is maybe a third way. Not condoning or protesting but somehow offering a hopeful message that shows we don't necesarily agree with abortion but we are willing to be part of the solution.

[Paul]

I agree that Schreeuw om Leven's initiative will not be very helpful - it will only make people upset and it is not likely to change anybody's points of view on this issue. It is also very painful for women suffering from a post-abortion trauma or a miscarriage. It's a stupid idea.
However, for me abortion is still an important issue, but as a member of a pro-life minority in our democratic country it is not possible to change the current political situation. The best we can do is to offer real alternatives (adoption, practical and financial help). And it all starts with education, of course. I am supporting VBOK (Dutch organisation for the protection of the unborn child) - I think their caring approach deserves our respect and support!

[Shawna Snow]

I want to tell a story as a response to this post. A couple of years ago I was at a local church here in Amsterdam and they had a discussion about displaying your faith at work. A nurse told us how she refused to take the girls into the operating room where they would receive an abortion as her way of "taking a stand". I found this approach appalling. I asked her why she would miss an opportunity to be the last person this young lady would talk to before going into that room. What about her? She is young, confused, and in a crisis. Where is the compassion? I guess it is so much easier to "take a stand" than it is to get in the messiness of someone's life. I don't recall Jesus condemning anyone except the religious. I think a christians approach should fall under the banner of love, grace and compassion for those who find themselves in a crisis situation.
I know many women here in Holland who have had abortions, and thought there was no other solution. What about adoption? The usual response is, " I didn't know that was even an option... If I had known then that could have changed things."

[Dawn]

It is a very hard decision for any woman to have an abortion and if the child is not wanted it may not have a good up bringing and may lead a disturbed life! The mother did not want it for a reason (drug use, rape, physical abuse ... etc).
Shawna, how could someone not know that adoption was an option! What nonsense! I am also resident in the Netherlands and find the woman to be well educated there.
Also consider the heartbreak and confusion for all involved. Sometimes although it is very hard it is better to have an abortion as early as possible. After all the child has no feelings until around 20 weeks old. This is not murder of a child, a fetus is not a child, it is completely dependent on the body of the mother and has no independent thought. Further there is no guarantee that it would have been a healthy child. Perhaps it has saved a person from a miserable life of being resented and unloved.
I have never had an abortion and don't intend to in the future.

[lids]

i'm only gonna say: a person who have an abortion for what ever reason is a monster. how could some one even think of taking a life of an ineccont child.
IT IS JUST CRUEL.

[Bri]

what if you didnt even have a choice against it?