Here at the end of the year we remember the birth of Jesus. We often forget, however, how unexpected and unusual was Mary's pregnancy. It is good to remember the circumstances of this pregnancy. Mary was a faithful Jewish girl; and such girls did not fall pregnant before marriage. What did this betrothed-not yet married-young woman do, who now found herself mysteriously with child? Imagine the unkind looks and comments she (and Joseph) must have endured as Mary's pregnancy became more and more obvious. Yet out of love for God she carried that unexpected baby to birth, and delivered into the world our Saviour. Billions of peoples' lives have been improved both on earth and eternally by Jesus Christ. We thank God the Father for sending us the Saviour, and we can be glad that Mary was willing to do God's will for her by giving birth to Christ.
The life of Mary teaches us something more today. Note that God chose Mary for this unexpected task, to carry this unexpected (at least for Mary!) child. We thus see that no child is ever a "mistake", whatever the intentions of the man and woman who conceived that child. God has a unique and valuable plan for the earthly life of every child who comes into existence. Let us honor God by honoring His good intentions for each human life conceived. Like Mary, may women unexpectedly pregnant protect and carry to birth their children. Like Joseph, may the rest of us stand in solidarity with these mothers by supporting them through pregnancy, delivery and beyond (recall the difficulties Joseph had finding a room for the family on the night of Jesus' birth, and the family's flight from King Herod's attempt to kill the boy). As in the case of Jesus, God the author of life wants to do special things with each human person. Let us cooperate with Him in protecting and nurturing each human life. No to abortion, yes to life.
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Abortion and Memory
At this time of year, we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For the one billion Christians alive today, this is an anniversary of joy for the coming of their Saviour.
For many post-abortive women, however, the anniversary of their abortion or the anniversary of what would have been their child's birthday is a date of grief, regret, and loss. These two dates haunt these women, sometimes for the rest of their lives. A survey published in 1994 found that 36% of the 252 post-abortive women surveyed strongly agreed that they were "preoccupied with thoughts of the child I could have had". That same survey found that 21% of 238 women surveyed strongly agreed that "negative feelings about my abortion became worse on the due date of pregnancy"; one out of four of 235 women reported stronger negative feelings about their abortions on the anniversary of the abortion itself.
A woman should be happy when she learns she is pregnant; this happiness should reach fulfillment when she gives birth to her son or daughter. Let us make sure no woman suffers anniversary grief over a child she destroyed through abortion. May we protect women and children from the death and despair of abortion; may we support them in our roles as husbands, fathers, siblings, parents, and friends. No to abortion; yes to life.
More information on abortion's effects on women is found at www.afterabortion.org
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
For many post-abortive women, however, the anniversary of their abortion or the anniversary of what would have been their child's birthday is a date of grief, regret, and loss. These two dates haunt these women, sometimes for the rest of their lives. A survey published in 1994 found that 36% of the 252 post-abortive women surveyed strongly agreed that they were "preoccupied with thoughts of the child I could have had". That same survey found that 21% of 238 women surveyed strongly agreed that "negative feelings about my abortion became worse on the due date of pregnancy"; one out of four of 235 women reported stronger negative feelings about their abortions on the anniversary of the abortion itself.
A woman should be happy when she learns she is pregnant; this happiness should reach fulfillment when she gives birth to her son or daughter. Let us make sure no woman suffers anniversary grief over a child she destroyed through abortion. May we protect women and children from the death and despair of abortion; may we support them in our roles as husbands, fathers, siblings, parents, and friends. No to abortion; yes to life.
More information on abortion's effects on women is found at www.afterabortion.org
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Abortion and Slavery
Abortion advocacy consistently claims a woman's "right" to choose an abortion, even as medical science makes it abundantly clear that a pregnant woman carries a living human person. A disturbing and illuminating parallel between abortion and slavery comes to mind. From its inception until the end of its civil war in 1865, the United States allowed white people to keep black people as slaves. The United States Supreme Court called slavery-the possession of human beings as property-a constitutional right in its 1857 "Dred Scott" decision. Abolitionists at the time argued that it is wrong for some people to keep other people as property. These abolitionists were told "You may not like slavery, you may think it is morally wrong, and you need not choose to keep slaves. But do not force your morality on slave owners. They have a legal right to keep slaves." Today, this argument sounds as absurd as it is morally repulsive.
Today's pro-life advocates assert that abortion is wrong, because no one has the right to kill an innocent person. In an eerily similar fashion, these pro-lifers are often told "You may not like abortion, you may think it's morally wrong, and you certainly do not have to choose an abortion. But do not force your morality on women who want to abort. They do (or should) have a legal right to abort their baby".
In 1858, Stephen Douglas ran against Abraham Lincoln for the presidency of the United States. The two of them engaged in a series of lively debates during the campaign. Douglas advocated letting each state choose to keep slavery legal or not. Lincoln answered Douglas this way: "No one has the right to choose to do what is wrong".
Abortion kills a human being. It often injures or kills the mother too. May the citizens of the Kingdom of Swaziland protect the right to life of all people, from conception to natural death.
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at http://letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
Today's pro-life advocates assert that abortion is wrong, because no one has the right to kill an innocent person. In an eerily similar fashion, these pro-lifers are often told "You may not like abortion, you may think it's morally wrong, and you certainly do not have to choose an abortion. But do not force your morality on women who want to abort. They do (or should) have a legal right to abort their baby".
In 1858, Stephen Douglas ran against Abraham Lincoln for the presidency of the United States. The two of them engaged in a series of lively debates during the campaign. Douglas advocated letting each state choose to keep slavery legal or not. Lincoln answered Douglas this way: "No one has the right to choose to do what is wrong".
Abortion kills a human being. It often injures or kills the mother too. May the citizens of the Kingdom of Swaziland protect the right to life of all people, from conception to natural death.
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at http://letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
Peace on Earth
We are approaching Christmas, the time of "Peace on earth, good will to men". In 1994 Mother Theresa, the nun famous for working among the very poor in India, addressed a breakfast meeting in Washington D.C. The crowd included then-President Bill Clinton and other Washington luminaries. During her address, Mother Theresa said "The greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child...and if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?"
As we prepare to remember the birth of baby Jesus-the One who made peace between God and man-may Mother Theresa's words ring in our ears. For the sake of peace on earth and good will toward men (and women), may Swaziland say no to abortion and yes to life.
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at http://letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
As we prepare to remember the birth of baby Jesus-the One who made peace between God and man-may Mother Theresa's words ring in our ears. For the sake of peace on earth and good will toward men (and women), may Swaziland say no to abortion and yes to life.
Rudy Poglitsh
rpoglitsh@live.com
more letters at http://letterstotheTOS.blogspot.com
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