politics

Obama is the Anti-Christ! Obama Hates Babies!! Obama Eats Abortions for Breakfast!!! 

I’ve been hearing a lot of rhetoric about the Obama abortion agenda and as with most rhetoric, it’s half baked. I’m not claiming any support for Obama or the U.S. abortion funding policy, but I do think we, as Christians, should at least have our stories straight (with is often times a rarity). 

Steven Waldman and David Gibson list a bunch of data from a group called Third Way that attempts to prove that lifting the so-called gag rule, which would allow U.S. dollars to go to clinics in developing countries that perform abortions (among a range of health care services), would actually reduce the number of abortions. The data makes a fascinating and complex argument…

A few points to keep in mind:

One, reversing Mexico City will not mean U.S. taxpayers are funding abortions overseas. That remains against the law under the 1973 Helms Amendment. What can happen now is that U.S. money can go to groups that support health clinics, largely in the underdeveloped world, where abortion could be among their services, or they could provide information about abortion or a referral for an abortion.

Two, some might say that is a distinction without a difference, but the key distinction is that in the poorest regions of the world where health care is scarce, if it exists at all, there are no other options. A clinic will do everything, or it will do nothing at all. Especially as regards women’s health, one of the least-addressed problems in poor nations, clinics provide contraceptive and “birth spacing” advice, maternal care when women are pregnant, and deliver babies when they are due. They also treat infants and young children, many of whom would perish otherwise. And some perform abortions or tell women where they can go to get one, although that can be a life-threatening procedure not only for the fetus.

Three, so the well-documented upshot is that the Mexico City policy, when in effect, has cut off a lifeline to untold numbers of health clinics that are the sole outlet for millions of poor people–and has resulted in terrible sufferings for women and children, increased numbers of preganancies, and a greater number of abortions. A fact sheet from Third Way, which is associated with progressive religious groups like Faith in Public Life, has many of the numbers. 

[David Gibson - BeliefNet.com]

Now, I’m not saying that I support abortion or the Mexico City repeal, but I want to say that this argument/discussion is more complicated that we realize. It’s hard to argue black and white when the waters are muddy. There are so many wrongs on both sides of this argument. 

If we, as Christians, are going to condemn and judge something or someone, let’s at least have the facts straight. Then we can wear the Pharisee hat and pick up the bullhorn in good conscience.  Otherwise, follow Jesus, walk with grace, love others, pray and keep our mouths shut.  

Any thoughts?

I thought it was weird. It seemed less like prayer and more like a speech sprinkled with nationalism.  But maybe that was just my indigestion speaking last night when I watched it.

Your impressions?

Oh, this is amusing on many levels. 

“President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday for choosing evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration next month.”  CNN

Any thoughts?

Here’s my rant and question of the day…

Did you vote yet? Well, besides it being your civic duty – you can get something for free. And isn’t that even more American than voting?

Anything from a free cup of coffee at Starbucks to a free tattoo removal.

Click here to find out what you can get for free in your area for simply voting in this election:

Free Stuff for Voting!

Tomorrow is coming and there is no plan B…

Any thoughts?