11.03.2008

Abortion: AKA Why This Pro-Lifer is Voting for Pro-Choice Obama

Over the weekend, a good friend of mine berated me for my presidential choice, listing off several predictable (and easily debunked) conservative talking points about the evils of Barack Obama. He flat out said that he can not support someone who is in favor of full-term/partial-birth abortions & post-abortion infanticide. I would agree with him, except the belief that Obama is in favor of those things is speculative... if not plain silly. In another conversation this weekend, one of my best friend’s mother stated that it is sinful to vote for Obama. She continued to deny Oboma’s claim to Christianity because of his views on abortion. (something along the lines that he is a liar, and true Christian will recognize that)

Does Obama have a pro-choice stance? Yes. Does that mean he wants to kill a bunch of babies? No. To believe that he does is foolish. So, what is Obama’s stance on abortion? He wants pro-life and pro-choice advocates to work together to reduce the number of abortions. That sounds like a good plan… right? Doesn’t logic demand that a reduction in abortions performed in the US satisfy both camps? Pro-choicers maintain their goal of freedom for women to choose, and pro-lifers preserve the sanctity of life.

Please, understand that I am not taking a pro-choice stance. I am still against abortions. I have heard from several women who have admitted that getting an abortion was the worst mistake they’ve ever made. But, I’ve also heard from other women that have no regrets from a past abortions. I do not agree that an abortion is the best answer for an unwanted baby. But the law is what it is – for better or worse Roe v. Wade is the law of the land. As a Christian voter, I have come to believe Roe v. Wade will never be annulled. It is time that Christians re-think how we approach abortion.

Several years ago, a friend of mine in Boise went to an abortion presentation set up in her church’s basement. The presentation was a walk-through (almost museum like) display showing pictures of aborted babies, horror stories of botched abortions, and lists of why abortion is evil. The display was filled with reasons not to get an abortion, but no alternatives; it was filled with condemnation and accusations of murder, but no attempt at forgiveness or reconciliation. She walked away heartbroken and in tears - what none of us knew (until then) is that she had an abortion and never told a soul. She never went back to that church. In his song What It’s Like, Everlast sings about the stereotypical religious righteous indignation many pro-lifers are known for: “Then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors. They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore.”

Rather than condemning the act of abortion, we should be more proactive in offering alternatives. Instead of shaming women who have had an abortion, we should be offering support. Rather than calling women who have had an abortion “whores” we should be offering post-abortion counseling to women who need it. And instead of wasting our efforts trying to repeal a law that will never be overturned, we should be focusing (like Obama) on reducing the occurrences of abortions.

I will never morally agree with abortion. But, I believe that we can work to end abortions with out banning the practice. I believe that we can preserve and value the life of the unborn with out endless political fighting. As long as our government leaders focus on legally ending abortion, we will never see an end to abortion. If Barack Obama can reduce how often abortions are performed in America, then he has a better plan to meet my pro-life interests.

22 comments:

  1. Whether or not I agree with you on who to vote for, your overall analysis of seeking better solutions than simply legislating rules is to be commended. We, as Christians, must do a better job of viewing others (even those with starkly differing lifestyles) as God sees them. Maybe instead of harsh words (you are correct in hearing way way too many of them) if we would treat each individual life as priceless as we want our laws to demand, then fewer lives would be lost. well written. dad

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  3. Sorry, Leigh, I appreciate your opinion, but I don't appreciate blog comments longer than my original blog post. Feel free to leave an abbreviated version of your comment.

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  4. While I agree that Roe Vs. Wade will not ever be over turned, I couldn't bring myself to vote for Obama because of his record in the Illinois senate for not supporting saving the lives of babies who survived a late-term abortion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRpIf2F9NA
    I completely agree how Christians MUST do a much better job at loving and respecting a person despite differences in political views or values. We are so much more than the "liberal" or "conservative" labels we give ourselves.

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  5. Here is another resource. Obama tries to justify his voting record on this issue.
    http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20080704/ai_n27904798

    While I am not a "fan" of Obama, I respect him as our president-elect and I hope he will bring on this "change" he speaks of. The next 4 years are going to get interesting. :)

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  6. Anonymous1:42 AM

    It was the Evangelical vote that put Obama over the top. So, thank you Casey family for helping usher in darker times.
    As Christians you should be very ashamed of yourselves, as all Christians who chose "change" over Christ's teaching.
    Love one another, yes. But God would have us stand on what He taught rather than sooth over people's feelings.
    Obama is not going to change this country for the better, no matter how much you "believe" in him.
    If the Evangelicals (the ones who say they are and the ones who are) would vote into office Godly men, yes abortion could be ENDED! IF we voted in Godly men our schools could once again teach Christ and the next generation would love, instead of hate.
    But, as you can see, your pocket book won out, just like so many of those who say they love Jesus.

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  7. Dear Anonymous,

    Who are YOU to judge Mr.Casey's faith? Who are YOU to judge how Christian he is? From what I understand through everything I have studied in the Bible, we are NOT to judge. I am pleading that you spend some time catching up on 1Peter.
    Why should he and other Christians who voted for president-elect Obama be "ashamed of themselves"? It is judgmental and unkind things, like you have posted yourself, that hurt our greater mission as bridge builders to help bring the community to a relationship with Christ. Christianity is INCLUSIVE and not exclusive....God loves everyone no matter who they choose to vote for and Mr.Casey DOES love God. Infact he helped lead me to God and I will be forever grateful. So please prayerfully consider what to post before you hurt the greater mission Jesus set us out to accomplish. Thank you.

    Sister in Christ,
    Mrs. Sarah D.

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  8. Anonymous11:43 AM

    AS a Christian brother and you as a sister, I have the right to admonish you for going agianst ALL that God teaches.
    Reaching out is just fine, but acting like the sinner, to win them over is not. Jesus did not act like the people he reached out to, he told them they were wrong,(the people he drove out of the temple ring a bell?)
    The people we are reaching for want love and support, but as much as they want that, the need to know right and wrong.
    I do not appologize for stating the truth.
    There is a big difference between judging someone, and showing them they are doing something wrong.

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  9. Anonymous,

    When you said: "As Christians you should be very ashamed of yourselves, as all Christians who chose "change" over Christ's teaching. "
    AND
    "as you can see, your pocket book won out, just like so many of those who say they love Jesus."

    You crossed the line from your own spiritual discernment to being judgmental. Keep in mind while I am not an Obama supporter I did not for a second judge or question Mr. Casey's Christianity. Marlin did not question Mr. Casey's faith either.

    The definition of "admonish"- to counsel or warn in a good-natured manner.

    That was not a warning or a reminder...nor was it in a good nature.

    We as Christians should NEVER play the "holier than thou" card which you did when you QUESTIONED Mr. Casey's faith. As Christians we must stop trying to out-Christian each other. Christians have NO ROOM to act or feel superior.

    I am done debating with you on this blog as you will never change my mind and I will likely never change yours.

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  10. Hi “Mr. Casey” lol... weird calling you that. Adam here... haven’t seen you guys in a long time, I’ve kept busy with college and the like. Sorry that I have to say hi here on this blog, but I just can’t not post.

    I get what you are saying about Christians offering more solutions and less condemnation... but how could you ever believe that it’s ok to simply “be ok” with “less” abortions? Sure the fight for what’s right is hard, and laws are hard to change for the better... but laws can be changed. Please don’t give up and just take the path of “less” resistance. As Christians we know how it’s all going to end... I love you guys and miss you! Tell Beck and Christian I said hi!

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  11. Dear anon person: As the father of the author of this blog, allow me to share some reactions to your writings. While I know nothing about your life experiences, I know that Nic has experienced some of life's happenings that no one should ever deserve. Have you, sir, spent the night trying to sleep in a hospital chair praying that your wife and unborn child make it to see sunlight of another day? That was a conscious choice they made in taking that risk rather than taking the baby to insure the mother lived. And it was a significant risk they took. To imply that Nic does not understand the role of fighting abortion is very personal to him. With some humor, that decision then to protect life also is the source of daily discipline he has to administer. Additionally, if one grandmother of his had chosen to have the result of a rape aborted, then he nor I would be present. Abortion in (as you put it)the Casey family is an oft-considered/talked about issue. I respectfully agree with Sarah about the attitude of your admonishment seemingly slightly harsher than necessary. Nowhere do I see that the assignment of "shame" that you indicate Nic and his like-thinkers should have as necessary. Personally, I think you were wishing that all Christians, regardless of how they view life or whatever circumstances they have experienced, thought and reacted and voted identical to yourself. Sorry, Christians, like individuals in regular society, are not designed to be cookie cutter images of each other, or like one particular person. My next point is your use of "ALL" in refering to what God teaches. Frankly, that made me belch some bad gas. It also reminded me of the fact that Jesus didn't act out that kind of attitude with individuals. Respectfully, as we were raising our kids, we allowed them to come to different solutions, different processes, and encouraged them to think through tough questions without them being expected to replicate our exact thinking. They have each successfully learned that process (images of Is. 1:16)and the freedom to arrive at their choices. That means that his mom and I also entrusted God to reprimand, mold, protect, and guide each of them in their decisions. It seems that God has a historical past of being far more trustworthy in delivering guidance than any of us parents. My same thinking applies to this election. Alot of people I know and have incredible confidence voted opposite of me. In fact, our family (kids and us) split our votes with 2 couples on each side of the ticket. I also know each of their reasons, and NONE of them represent blind duplicate populist voting patterns. That alone earns my respect. Specifically, I know and respect Nic's faith. He has experienced more in a few years of marriage in making difficult decisions than most of us encounter in an entire lifetime. Perhaps each of us would be better to experience a desire to understand and walk a mile in their shoes first than to simply wag a pointed finger and go tsk, tsk. Sir anon, I wish you well. Probably, your value of a pro-life stance and mine match extremely close. However, "love one another" sometimes is painful and never is it automatically implanted that it would be convenient---if with a fellow Christian. Last question to you...didn't a guy named Paul have extreme differences with someone named Tim one time?

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  12. Anonymous5:49 PM

    My point with this subject is that Christians who voted for this man that claims to be a Christian, did not look at the truth of the matter. They did not search out what what best for all concerned.
    I may not think exactly like you or the Casey family, but as "Christains" we should be like minded. Knowing that this man is going to sign into law the "Freedom of Choice Act" the minute he gets in office was enough to make ANY person who believes shiver and weep. By voting this man into office, you have initaily signed the death warrent to millions more who don't have voices.

    I commend Nic and his wife for keeping their son. He is a beautiful image of God. But sir, how many are now going to die because the Christain right did not get off their behinds and defeat this man?
    That is where I was going with this post.
    Yes, Nic is very capable to vote like he wants to, but when it brings this kind of horror, I say shame, shame, shame.
    The people of Jeremiah's time didn't like his message either, but God sent it anyway.
    I love my brothers and sisters, but can say very seriously that they did not do God's will when it came to voting for that person.

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  13. Mr/Ms Anonymous, if I have any shame, I am ashamed that there are thousands of Christians (like yourself) preaching a message of fire, brimstone, condemnation, and wrath - a message that chases away those who may be desperately searching for God (and possibly searching for an alternative to abortion).

    The "abortion is murder" message (while true) has never convinced anyone out of an abortion. Lovingly offering alternatives has. You ban-abortion crusade, while noble, accomplishes nothing. It does nothing but turn hearts cold against the true hope we have in Christ.

    While I appreciate (and commend) Christians who ardently oppose abortion. I believe there is a better way. We will more effectively save one child at at time than trying (and failing) to save them all.

    But you can keep preaching shame if you want. We'll see how well that works for you.

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  14. Anonymous8:59 AM

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  15. Anonymous5:35 PM

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  16. Anonymous11:45 PM

    Nic, I thought you believed in freedom of expresion? I guess not.

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  17. my blog, my rules. If you don't like it Get your own blog.

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  18. Anonymous9:06 PM

    Riddle me this Mr. N Casey.

    Why was John the Baptist's head taken?

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  19. Because Herodias urged her daughter to ask Uncle Herod to give it to her.

    Now riddle me this. What does that have to do with anything?

    (Don't bother answering. If your response eve resembles the inane pointlessness of your question, your comment will be deleted)

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  20. Anonymous12:08 AM

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  21. pete, you don't listen well, do you?

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  22. Oh, pete... I get it now. Johnny B got beheaded because people were mad about the truth he spoke. Now that I speak truth, I'm making people like anonymous mad. That makes so much more sense. Should I take that as a death threat?

    You don't listen well. And, if you think that abortion dominates the majority of topics on this blog apparently you don't read well either.

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