 |
|
|
B C R T L
PO BOX 1613
COLUMBUS, IN 47202
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletter Spring 2008
|
|
|
|
We have reprinted the articles from the Spring 2008 edition of the Bartholomew County Right To Life Newsletter. Click on a title of an article on the right, or scroll down to read each article.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From The Presi dent’s Pen By Judy Jackson
In 2008 the American people will elect a new President. It is essential that we elect a strong Pro-Life President.
President Reagan was the first president to write thoroughly about abortion. In 1983, the 10th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, he wrote an essay to Human Life Review. Reagan said “The Court’s decision has by no means settled the debate. Instead, Roe v. Wade has become a continuing prod to the conscience of the nation. We cannot diminish the value of one category of human life – the unborn – without diminishing the value of all human life.” Even though President Reagan was one of our country’s most outspoken pro-life presidents, he failed with one of his Supreme Court’s appointees, Sandra Day O’Conner, who ended up supporting abortion, even the Partial –Birth Abortion procedure. This underscores the profound importance of a Pro-Life president to ending this modern-day holocaust.
President George W. Bush, on the other hand, has appointed to Justices who will impact our nation for generations to come, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. It is accepted by both sides of the abortion debate that the Court is only one justice away from reversing Roe v. Wade. If Americans pick a president who appoints pro-abortion justices, the legal killing of our nations’ preborn children could conceivably continue for decades.
Your obligation to this between now and early November is to register to vote; find out who the pro-life candidates are and do your moral and patriotic duty to help elect them.
We also must continue to fight for the unborn through our continued effort in bringing this issue into the public light. Bartholomew County Right to Life participates in the Ethnic Expo Parade, the Christmas Parade, has a March and Rally in January, signature ad, a booth at the 4H Fair, a monthly “Facts of Life” ad in the Republic, and a banquet scheduled for the Fall. This all takes active participation and some money. Our financial goal this year is the same as last year, $3,000 to help support all of these activities, but of course we could do much more with help from all of you. Please, when you sit down to write a check this month, take a minute to consider becoming an active member of BCRTL with your membership dues and a donation. We will be good stewards of your money in our fight to help the unborn.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
RETURN To INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Planned Parenthood Deceptive on Abortifacient Action of EC
On February 15, 2008 Planned Parenthood of Indiana press release using free media publicity for its giveaway of emergency contraceptive (EC) drugs is deceptive in stating, “It cannot terminate an existing pregnancy”.
The drug, which is promoted for use up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse, is known to work as an abortifacient if fertilization has already occurred but the human embryo has yet to attach to the uterine wall.
It is an established medical fact that the EC drug has three possible ways is which it can work:
Ovulation is inhibited, meaning the egg is not released.
The normal menstrual cycle is altered, delaying ovulation.
It can irritate the lining of the uterus so that is the first and second actions fail, and the woman does become pregnant, the human life created at fertilization will be unable to attach to the lining of the uterus.
In other words, if the third actions occurs, the living human embryo will be rejected and the new life will die.
“Indiana media outlets will perform a great disservice to women if they take the bait and give Planned Parenthood thousands of dollars worth of free advertising for this deceptive program,” stated Indiana Right to Life executive director Mike Fichter. “Every newsroom editor should question the abortifacient action of the emergency contraceptive drug when it works to prevent the implantation of the human embryo. If fertilization has occurred, and if implantation is prevented, this drug kills a human life. That’s an abortion.”
Fichter also notes that Planned Parenthood’s press advisory reference to the timing of its EC giveaway and college spring breaks is an example of predatorial marketing at its worst. “This is all about Planned Parenthood gaining free advertising to build its customer base among sexually active teens’, states Fichter. “When Planned Parenthood’s message of sex without consequences results in a new life that is not terminated by the EC drug, the next step is selling of more profitable surgical abortions at one of Planned Parenthood’s three abortion clinics in Indiana.”
|
|
|
|
|
By Their Fruits Timeline: 1830 - 2008 Ernst Haeckel by Tony Hillen
1874 --- After reading Darwin's Origin of Species..., Haeckel closed his medical practice and was given a position as a zoologist. Originally trained in medicine and chemistry, Haeckel was an accomplished artist and was enthralled with design in nature. 1874 would be the year in which he would use his artistic applications in embryonic studies. He made some drawings of developing embryos in which he greatly enhanced similarities between different kinds. Using the gradualism of Lyell and Darwin, Haeckel produced a concept referred to as the biogenic law, which is an allusion to the common ancestry of all life. In doing this, Haeckel attempted to prove that human life was (and is) not truly human until the embryo/pre-natal baby have full, human form. His theory held the unborn child would pass through several stages until, at the end of gestation, a human being would appear at birth. These stages included: flatworms/segmented worms, fish, frogs, turtles and so on. Haeckel's work was labeled as fraud as early as 1900 but this did not deter thos
e who were (and are) avid followers of Darwin. It was only a formality for these fraudulent drawings to find their way into school textbooks. Only since the 1970's has there been any attempt to correct this bad information in the public school system. Thus, you now have several generations that have been indoctrinated (at taxpayer expense) to believe that human life only begins late in the pregnancy or that human life does not begin at conception!! Seemingly, any fairytale can be foisted onto an unsuspecting public if it is accompanied by pictures. This may be the sad and evil legacy of Ernst Haeckel. He drew the pictures that made evolution and abortion acceptable to millions. We now deal with the results of this dubious artwork.
Next issue: Margaret Sanger.
|
|
|
|
THE NEED FOR UNITY AND TO END ROE v WADE By Kay Cull
To every person reading this, I bring you greetings in love and admiration for you. You have been faithful in obeying the love of Christ. Not only for those growing outside the womb but those whom God has created growing inside the womb for future generations. In January, my husband, Joe and I attended the BCRTL rally. It was good to see old friends, and the faithful ones who were still attending as well as new faces to carry the torch of life for future events. In order for Roe v Wade to be overturned, it will take the continued efforts of dedicated pro-lifers, which include every bible believing church and minister, pastor, and priest. Now more than ever, everyone needs to stand up and speak up to honor life. We are living in an age where it does make a difference to have your voice heard. Some will say, well, marching and rallying every year does nothing. If you are thinking that or have ever thought that, you are so far from the truth. For everything is seen by God. I have often said, God watches the faithful and will bless those who are serving HIM. I don’t know why God has not ended this terrible carnage but I do know, obedience by every one who confesses Christ is required. Loving others is being obedient to God and shows our love for God. Loving others growing outside the womb is sometimes easier than loving someone you cannot or have not seen. Think about this next January when you are marching on a cold winter day or attending a rally on a cold January day, or volunteering at a CPC. There are tiny human beings gathering in heaven to watch a parade in their honor, and God is saying, they are honoring you and they are honoring me. Every time you speak out against abortion or help someone in a crisis pregnancy, heaven is watching. The next march or rally you participate in, raise your hands to heaven, for those whom you are honoring are watching!
Obedience is a word that is not discussed too often, even in the pulpit. We talk about accepting Christ into our hearts and being saved….all one has to do is believe. But it doesn’t end at that point, because God tells us, even the demons believe. Obedience is the key that opens hearts to everlasting salvation. Obedience to God’s word is the road to eternal life and along that road, the only thing that saves us is the blood of Jesus Christ. God’s love is everlasting but we must be obedient to HIS love…HIS word to us. Being a living sacrifice to God in our everyday lives is showing Christ to others. Now let me apply that to participating in the pro-life movement.
The latest statistics tell us the abortion rate has dropped since 1990 by 20 percent. Seventy percent of American women say there should be restrictions on abortion and 53 percent say abortion should remain legal. There are about 3,000 Pregnancy Care Centers in the US that meet the needs of women and are providing alternatives to abortion. Our Supreme Court has upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban passed by our Congress and there are other laws throughout our states that protect the unborn child. However, even though good efforts have been accomplished, the work is not done and everyone needs to stay encouraged and participate in the pro-life movement on every level in defeating Roe v Wade. Every life is precious and we should not be content until Roe v Wade is removed as law of the land for America. Our nation is more concerned about the effects of global warming than it is about the effects of killing America’s most treasured resource, human beings. Abortion affects every facet of our lives. I have often ask those defending our environment, who are we saving the earth for? Which is of more value, trees, frogs, lakes, endangered species, or humans? “Which one of these is the least protected?” Our nation puts more value on saving the environment than saving human beings. When did we lose our sense of value for human life? I contend it was with the passing of Roe v Wade which devalued human life for the most innocent, an unborn child growing in the womb. Our nation in her disobedience chose to serve self instead of obeying God’s word. Fifty million lives have been lost since Roe v Wade and millions will continue to die. It is up to us to continue to make a difference. To be obedient. It is vital that we not be content with encouraging statistics. We must continue our efforts to ending Roe v Wade.
Coming together as one, as a community in every denomination, to honor God is so important. It is so easy and comfortable to stay in our churches or in our living rooms and just do things on our own. But, coming together gives a picture here on earth, to our God in heaven, that we are showing love, respecting each other., and praying together that God will change hearts and minds to ending Roe v Wade. Yes, we can do things privately and be honored by God but it is learning that we need each other as a pro-life community to encourage one another for each new year and day of life. Coming together in number to love and encourage one another is what Christ wants us to do. One thing I have always loved about the pro-life movement is that you meet people from all walks of life and different denominations who love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul. To me that is proof that heaven will not honor just one group of people or one denomination, but those who are doing the will of our Father in heaven. I believe in witness to help change hearts and minds but I also believe that striving to change a corrupt law is of up-most importance. I have heard some say, lets not worry about the political aspect of abortion, just change one heart and mind at a time. Well, let me express to you that in one ruling of a decision to legalized abortion, it changed hearts and minds to accept the evil of abortion. Up until Roe v Wade, there were abortion laws passed by the states, but abortion was widely considered wrong. Thirty-five years later since the infamous Roe v Wade decision, we witness family, friends, co-workers and churches accepting the carnage of abortion . Obedience to God’s word is no longer a value but an individual decision. Because of Roe v Wade, and other issues that dishonor God, America is no longer a Christian nation. Our churches (not all), no longer address the issue of abortion from the pulpit because churches do not want to offend anyone. Most churches today support the efforts of the CPC and let them handle the issue of abortion for the church. Before anyone starts to think I am saying anything negative about CPC’s, I am not. I support their efforts and I think they are a blessing to the community to counter Planned Parenthood. CPC’s are vital to communities and schools in giving alternatives to abortion. Having said that, more churches could reach more people in their denominations if they would speak out more from the pulpit and have their own pro-life ministries within each church to work with their local pro-life organization and the CPC. Has one ever thought that maybe God is waiting on the church to turn from a lukewarm position on abortion? Could it be that only then will HE heal our land? For the church cannot serve two masters…in this instance, self and God. Many churches will not address the issue of abortion for fear that it might offend someone. I know this for a fact. When I was knocking on church doors to start a local pro-life organization for Logan Co. in Ohio years ago, I was told by a minister that pro-life efforts would not be supported by him or his church leaders against abortion for fear of offending someone in the church. That attitude or belief existed in the 80’s and it still exist in pulpits today. We who are Christians are fooling ourselves if we think that people who attend church have not been wounded by abortion, or do not know of someone who has had an abortion. In fact, the abortion rate of “born again” teens is equal to that of the secular world.
What would happen if Roe v Wade were overturned? I believe with all my heart that if Roe v Wade were overturned, it would be, as in 1973, a change. Only this time, hearts and minds would change to honor life for the unborn child. The law that gives a woman the right to kill her unborn child would no longer be a law that blankets our nation. For future generations, overturning Roe v Wade would say, we have come back to our senses as a nation to uphold life. It would be naïve to think that women seeking an abortion would end because it wouldn’t. The issue of abortion would go back to the states as before Roe v Wade and there would still be a need for CPC’s across our country to help women in a crisis pregnancy. However, to have a law that blankets every state as legal would end. To regain the dignity and blessings of life that comes from God would be the start for future generations. We must remove the blanket of blood that covers our land and be willing at every opportunity to stand up and speak up for what God has told us in HIS word. “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV). God also tells us, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV 2 Chronicles 7:14)
We must strive to be obedient to God’s word in every aspect of our lives. We need one another for encouragement. We must continue to pray to bring an end to Roe v Wade..
Blessings.
Life is Precious,
Kay Cull
|
|
|
|
This web-site is provided and funded by Seven Baskets Ministries. We invite you to visit their web site for links to wonderful Christian sites and more information about Seven Baskets
SevenBaskets.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
RETURN To INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Getting At The Root ---
Recent violent attacks at universities and colleges portend a grim future for the unprotected and innocent in these different venues. Hands are wrung and anguish is shrill from observers and pundits alike. We hear, "What can be the possible cause of such madness or What extenuating circumstances drove the person responsible?"
As usual, Dear Readers, the root cause of these incidents was and is the unregenerate nature of mankind. Starting with the original sin and building in momentum to our present day, governments and judges continue to ignore man's need for Divine intervention. Instead, they search diligently for any and all ways to excuse evil behavior. This has been primarily accomplished since the teaching of evolution became prominent in the late 19th century. Subsequently, after a few basic tenets were in place, this blight on humankind has progressed to what we have now.
Pro-life people need only review this progression and the answer is obvious. That is, when a society has been brainwashed by their own public school system to believe that: mankind is just another animal with no special relationship to their CREATOR, human life does not begin in the womb, there is no Heaven to be gained or Hell to be shunned and that nihilism and atheism are sensible, intellectual positions of philosophy. That society shouldn't wonder when violence is the result. Anytime violence can be done to an unborn child, with the blessing of government, this most evil of acts will send a message of opportunity to those looking to let out their hatred on the next captive audience.
Lastly, we understand that there can be mitigating circumstances in some instances but the bottom line is crystal clear. We can make all the excuses that we want. This approach will only make things worse.
Until our country stands up for the unborn, the future looks a bit scary.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
RETURN To INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abortion in the Church by Catherine Myers
January 20, 2008 saw the 35th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in America, which was marked by the annual March for Life in Washington, DC. Most of those who took part in the event did so because of their profound faith, love for Jesus Christ, and deeply held religious beliefs. I thank them for their dedication in standing up to oppose this procedure.
The legalization of abortion has had tragic consequences. While numbers vary, the total number of abortions performed since 1973 ranges between 40-50 million unborn babies. Some estimate that one-fourth of all pregnancies conceived in the last 35 years ended in abortion. Imagine—in this generation, one out of four people is missing, because they died in abortion clinics.
Think about these numbers for a moment. If 40-50 million babies have been aborted, this means that millions of American women have had an abortion. Who are these women? According to the website www.prolifeaction.org, 74.7% are 15 to 29 years old; 82.9% are unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed); white women account for 40.9%, black women, 31.7%, and Hispanic women, 20.1%.
However, the most incredible statistic concerns the religious affiliation of those receiving abortions. According to www.prolifeaction.org, 42.8% of those receiving abortions described themselves as Protestant, 27.4% as Roman Catholic, but only 22.2% as having no religion. Statistically, the chances are very good that most churches—both large and small—have someone among their members who has had an abortion.
The church must assume these women are in their midst. So how should the church treat them? Should they be judged, or loved unconditionally? In his video series The Way of the Master, Intermediate Course, Ray Comfort uses a graphic called the “Tree of Sinful Nature”. Each branch on the tree represents various types of sin. Comfort does this to illustrate that in the eyes of the Lord, sin is sin, and that God views sexual immorality and murder the same as the “lesser” sins like lying.
This is not to minimize the sins of sexual immorality and murder; indeed, many of those who have had an abortion suffered as a result—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But the church must remember that it exists as a representative and extension of Christ Himself. Women affected by abortion should find the church to be the one place where they receive the unconditional love and healing of Christ, so that confession, repentance and salvation can occur, resulting in new creations and transformed lives! There is nothing more powerful than a changed life, and one who is on fire for her Savior.
Those recovering from abortion are a huge ministry just waiting to happen! Who is better to counsel those considering abortion, than one who has had one and regretted it? Who is better to teach girls the virtues of purity and holiness, than those who have suffered as a result of immorality? Who is better to teach all women the important role abstinence plays in their futures (academic, financial, and familial futures) than one who made wrong choices, and lost out on the blessings of a bright future? It’s precisely those who made wrong choices, but were radically changed through salvation in Jesus Christ.
As much as abortion is a political issue, it is much more a heart issue. The church still needs to take a stand against the murder of the unborn in the political arena, but it also needs to address those heart issues that drive religious women to seek abortion. The church must minister to its own, and offer them love, and teaching that leads to healing. Then those who have been healed can reach out to the culture at large, with the same love of Christ and teaching they received. In this manner, not only can babies be saved, but also the vessels carrying those babies. It’s just one more way to carry out the Great Commission.
|
|
|
ANCHES
