The Abortion Debate re-opened?

I suppose this is one post that crosses borders, and can be posted here and on The Roaring Lion, and so it will be.

It appears that after far too long, an MP from Ontario is attempting to open up the abortion debate in Canada, producing a private members bill to discuss when life begins.

pol-abortion-stephen-woodworth-motion.html

It’s a step in the right direction.

A Step in the Right Direction

The following article appears in the most recent edition of The Carillon News, a local weekly newspaper:

“Think Again”
Michael Zwaagstra

Status quo on abortion not acceptable

Canada is one of only four countries in the world with no law restricting abortion (the other three being China, Vietnam, and North Korea).

This legal vacuum came about as a result of a unique set of circumstances. In 1988 the Supreme Court struck down Canada’s existing abortion law on the grounds its procedural requirements were manifestly unfair. Contrary to popular myth, the Supreme Court did not rule that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees abortion rights. In fact, the court even invited Parliament to draft a new abortion law.

The Mulroney government proceeded to do so and introduced a bill that would have banned abortion except when a doctor determined the mother’s life or health was threatened. While it received approval in the House of Commons, it was defeated on a tie vote in the Senate. Since that time, no federal government has chosen to tackle this issue.

Although many abortion rights supporters claim Canadians have arrived at a pro-choice consensus, the reality is considerably different. In a 2010 Angus-Reid survey, only one-fifth of Canadians were even aware that abortion is completely unregulated in this country. Other surveys indicate most Canadians believe some restrictions on abortion should be in place.

For example, two Angus-Reid surveys conducted in 2010 reveal more than half of Canadians believe girls under the age of 18 should not be able to get an abortion without parental consent. A 2008 poll by Environics showed almost two-thirds of Canadians would support informed consent laws requiring doctors to provide women with information about fetal development (i.e. ultrasounds) before performing an abortion. In a 2011 Environics poll, 92 percent of Canadians stated the selective abortion of female fetuses should be illegal.

It’s not difficult to see shy most Canadians are uncomfortable with an extreme pro-choice position that assigns no rights to the fetus. The science of embryology makes it clear the fetus is more than a blob of tissue as it develops a heartbeat and brainwaves remarkably  early in the pregnancy. It is illogical to recognize a newborn baby as a full-fledged person and simultaneously deny personhood status to an equally developed nine-month-old fetus.

Interestingly, some pro-choice advocates recognize the lack of distinction between born and unborn babies and support the right of parents to kill babies even after birth. A recent article in the Journal of Medical Ethics by Drs. Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva argues parents should be allowed to conduct “post-birth abortions.” In other words, they call for the legalization of infanticide.

Although Giubilini and Minerva acknowledge fetuses and newborn babies are human being, they deny this gives them an inherent right to life. “Merely being human is not in itself a reason for ascribing to someone a right to life,” argue these doctors. In their view, all babies, born and unborn, are merely potential persons because they lack self-awareness.

Fortunately, most pro-choice advocates distance themselves from the extreme views of doctors like Giubilini and Minerva. However, the fact Giubilini and Minerva are able to use many of the standard pro-choice arguments to support infanticide should give us pause for concern.

Some lawmakers are looking to introduce some legal rights for the unborn in this country. Stephen Woodworth, a Conservative MP from Ontario, recently introduced a motion in the House of Commons to legally define fetuses as human beings. It will be debated some time in April.

The status quo on abortion in this country is unacceptable. At a minimum, we need to recognize that unborn children need some legal protections. Accepting Woodworth’s motion would be a first good step.

I agree Michael.

Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation.  God, end abortion and send revival to Canada!

Heavy Hearts

I am having a difficult time this morning. The issue of abortion lays heavy on my heart all the time. I find it appalling that people would willingly decide to kill a baby through abortion techniques. There are way too many babies who never see the light of day because of abortion. And then a loving, caring, hungry-for-more-of-God family gets pregnant wanting their child, and for reasons unknown to humans but part of a greater plan, the baby dies in the womb.

I have shed so many tears already, and know that my crying isn’t over yet. I lived a joyful life the last sixteen weeks knowing another child was coming to a loving couple. I never got to hold my niece. I weep.

Stephen Harper

This past week i had the opportunity to attend the Onething conference in Kansas City that the International House of Prayer puts on every year from Dec. 28 – Dec. 31. As always it was an enjoyable time. Lou Engle, one of the leaders at IHOP and founder of Bound4Life, was speaking on the last day of the conference and he said something that greatly impacted me. He was speaking about President Obama, and how for 390 days he would be praying for Obama. His prayer would be that President Obama would become a Pro-Life supporter and change the laws of the U.S.A. that would make abortion illegal.

Immediately as he said this my heart was impacted for our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. Harper is a Christian and has done a lot of great work as far as his political life goes. I have heard people in the political realm say that Prime Minister Harper is one of the smartest politicians to ever be in office, regardless of what party is represented, and that gives me hope for our country. As i am reminded, i pray for various polititians, but something about Lou Engle’s cry of the heart for President Obama resonated with me.

The reality of the situation is that Canada’s laws towards abortion are worse than those of America. In Canada, it is legal to have an abortion right up until birth. I have even heard stories where doctors have pushed the baby back into the womb during the birth process just so they could still legally administer the abortion, because technically the baby is not born yet. This is sick. It’s twisted. And it needs to stop.

In the past few weeks i have been looking to re-write my prayer list. And what better time than this? As i re-write it, i will be adding certain politicians to the list, including Prime Minister Harper, on every day of the week. I will be praying that God will impact Mr. Harper so that he will change the laws of abortion that we currently have in Canada, to make abortion illegal in all respects.

Please join me in this prayer…

Adoption Video

I came across this video on a friends blog and had to share it. So moved to tears by how people can be so awesome…

A Hiatus

After considering the comments made on my blogs as well as the conversations i have had with people in my life, i have decided to take an extended break from blogging for a time of discernment. I apologize in advance to you, my readers.

Shalom.

180

I just watched this video. I’m undecided as to whether or not i like his approach, yet at the same time it does cause people to stop and think.

Mommy

I came across this today… 

Hi, Mommy.

I’m your baby. You don’t know me yet, I’m only a few weeks old. You’re going to find out about me soon, though, I promise. Let me tell you some things about me. My name is John, and I’ve got beautiful brown eyes and black hair. Well, I don’t have it yet, but I will when I’m born. I’m going to be your only child, and you’ll call me your one and only. I’m going to grow up without a daddy mostly, but we have each other. We’ll help each other, and love each other. I want to be a doctor when I grow up. …

You found out about me today, Mommy! You were so excited, you couldn’t wait to tell everyone. All you could do all day was smile, and life was perfect. You have a beautiful smile, Mommy. It will be the first face I will see in my life, and it will be the best thing I see in my life. I know it already. …
… … … …
Today was the day you told Daddy. You were so excited to tell him about me! …He wasn’t happy, Mommy. He kind of got angry. I don’t think that you noticed, but he did. He started to talk about something called wedlock, and money, and bills, and stuff I don’t think I understand yet. You were still happy, though, so it was okay. Then he did something scary, Mommy. He hit you. I could feel you fall backward, and your hands flying up to protect me. I was okay… but I was very sad for you. You were crying then, Mommy. That’s a sound I don’t like. It doesn’t make me feel good. It made me cry, too. He said sorry after, and he hugged you again. You forgave him, Mommy, but I’m not sure if I do. It wasn’t right. You say he loves you… why would he hurt you? I don’t like it, Mommy. … … … … …

Finally, you can see me! Your stomach is a little bit bigger, and you’re so proud of me! You went out with your mommy to buy new clothes, and you were so so so happy. You sing to me, too. You have the most beautiful voice in the whole wide world. When you sing is when I’m happiest. And you talk to me, and I feel safe. So safe. You just wait and see, Mommy. When I am born I will be perfect just for you. I will make you proud, and I will love you with all of my heart.

I can move my hands and feet now, Mommy. I do it because you put your hands on your belly to feel me, and I giggle. You giggle, too. I love you, Mommy.

Daddy came to see you today, Mommy. I got really scared. He was acting funny and he wasn’t talking right. He said he didn’t want you. I don’t know why, but that’s what he said. And he hit you again. I got angry, Mommy. When I grow up I promise I won’t let you get hurt! I promise to protect you. Daddy is bad. I don’t care if you think that he is a good person, I think he’s bad. But he hit you, and he said he didn’t want us. He doesn’t like me. Why doesn’t he like me, Mommy?

You didn’t talk to me tonight, Mommy. Is everything okay?

It’s been three days since you saw Daddy. You haven’t talked to me or touched me or anything since that. Don’t you still love me, Mommy? I still love you. I think you feel sad. The only time I feel you is when you sleep. You sleep funny, kind of curled up on your side. And you hug me with your arms, and I feel safe and warm again. Why don’t you do that when you’re awake, any more?

I’m 21 weeks old today, Mommy. Aren’t you proud of me? We’re going somewhere today, and it’s somewhere new. I’m excited. It looks like a hospital, too. I want to be a doctor when I grow up, Mommy. Did I tell you that? I hope you’re as excited as I am. I can’t wait.

…Mommy, I’m getting scared. Your heart is still beating, but I don’t know what you are thinking. The doctor is talking to you. I think something’s going to happen soon. I’m really, really, really scared, Mommy. Please tell me you love me. Then I will feel safe again. I love you!

Mommy, what are they doing to me!? It hurts! Please make them stop! It feels bad! Please, Mommy, please please help me! Make them stop!

Don’t worry Mommy, I’m safe. I’m in heaven with the angels now. They told me what you did, and they said it’s called an abortion.

Why, Mommy? Why did you do it? Don’t you love me any more? Why did you get rid of me? I’m really, really, really sorry if I did something wrong, Mommy. I love you, Mommy! I love you with all of my heart. Why don’t you love me? What did I do to deserve what they did to me? I want to live, Mommy! Please! It really, really hurts to see you not care about me, and not talk to me. Didn’t I love you enough? Please say you’ll keep me, Mommy! I want to live smile and watch the clouds and see your face and grow up and be a doctor. I don’t want to be here, I want you to love me again! I’m really really really sorry if I did something wrong. I love you!

I love you, Mommy.

Every abortion is just…

One more heart that was stopped.

Two more eyes that will never see.

Two more hands that will never touch.

Two more legs that will never run.

One more mouth that will never speak

Abortion Funeral

For the original post of this on Moral Outcry, click HERE. 

While my attention has been focused elsewhere as of late, the issue of abortion will always be close to my heart, and i continue to read more about this issue all the time.

The picture says it all.

Jesus, we plead your blood over our sins and the sins of the nation. God, end abortion and send revival to North America.

A Much Needed Absence

For the faithful followers of this blog, i apologize for being absent.

I wrote earlier in the post “The Wrestling Match” about a stirring. Something from within me that was warring in me.

But that wrestling match has ended.

And out of it came something i could never have guessed would show up.

The Roaring Lion.

A new blog. One that will receive more attention than this one.

I am not lost on the irony that for a long while i have been authoring a blog called “The Silent Siege” and how God has now brought me through that silence to now proclaim loudly, as though a lion roaring, the things on my heart.

The Roaring Lion can be found at www.jasonkehler.wordpress.com.