The Latest from
@AmplifyTweets:
Facebook
"So you would rather a licensed professional kill a child, than for the woman to TAKE CARE of the child herself". This was the statement mad by a fellow classmate of mine when I asked for his support for the recently announced "Join the Hanger Project". I started the conversation like any other; I explained what the issue was with abortion and how our legislators are trying to omit abortion out of health care. Which would lead either women paying a fortune to have a doctor perform the surgery or to them performing the surgery themselves.
The conversation started off calm and by the time I got around the classroom my fellow classmate asked me was I pro-choice or pro-life. Thoughts ran through the back of my mind as to whether I should answer the question or just avoid it all together. I went on to explain to him that regardless of my personal views women should be able to make decisions that affect their life without paying a fortune. Well to see as I go to church with this student, and he is quite the one to voice his opinion he then became louder and called me a hypocrite and went on to explain a brutal pro-life abortion aid that out church showed this past May (incidentally during Teen Pregnancy Month).
The conversation started off calm and by the time I got around the classroom my fellow classmate asked me was I pro-choice or pro-life. Thoughts ran through the back of my mind as to whether I should answer the question or just avoid it all together. I went on to explain to him that regardless of my personal views women should be able to make decisions that affect their life without paying a fortune. Well to see as I go to church with this student, and he is quite the one to voice his opinion he then became louder and called me a hypocrite and went on to explain a brutal pro-life abortion aid that out church showed this past May (incidentally during Teen Pregnancy Month).
Outraged by the student response I ended the conversation there, put my materials away, closed my binder, and continue on with my new nametag "Christal Walker, Senior, Christian, and Hypocrite". As I walked out the class it reminded much of a novel our class had read for the summer. The prolific novel, The Scarlet Letter. Stunned of what I had encountered thoughts ran through my mind: Is he not a hypocrite for raising his voice and causing a seen, the last time I checked yelling at someone and calling them names was not very "Christian like". I posted this blog because I was not sure what else to do, I was mentally drained and need some inspiration should I be faced with this situation again; let alone go to church Sunday.
Get email updates and action alerts:
by AFY_Abby
A lof of people identify as being both Pro-Choice and Pro-Faith and that does not mean they are hypocrites. Check out the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice's website. There you can search for your specific religion and read what leaders in that faith have to say about protecting a woman's right to choose. Most importantly, you're not alone!
Sarah
Thanks so much for your post. I am sure there are many others who have similar thoughts and feelings.
Like we talked about this weekend, this is hard work! It's never fun to be called ugly names and made to feel uncomfortable and unworthy. Know that you are worthy, that your voice is strong, and that your passion is a blessing!
I want to remind you of one of the great things Lonnie King said this weekend:
I am so proud of you for today- you stood up when others wouldn't. You stood your ground and were respectful and professional even if your oppenents were not. You were a force to be reckoned with and I know you will find the strength and will to move forward on this journey!
Use your religion to help you find comfort (and joy!) in this. Christianity teaches us to love and be kind, to speak up, to fight for whats right and good, and to honor the gifts we have been given.
Call me if you want to talk!
Love you~ Anna
It seems like you are asking for some inspiration to allow you to feel good and proud of your advocacy beliefs and the things that you accept as truth.
You are super brave for looking out for help, and thank you for writing this! By asking the question that someone else may be too uncomfortable or nervous to put out there and ask, you did it and are helping many people. Thank you!
RCRC is SUPER great! You should definitely go to their website and check out their information. There is also Liberals Like Christ, which goes in detail about the pro-choice movement, as well as many other aspects of the more "liberal" side of politics, and how they are actually Christ-like. You can check out their website http://www.liberalslikechrist.org/, as well check out their article on why Christians should be pro-choice, and perhaps feel more comfortable and grounded in your identity as pro-choice and Christian here: http://www.liberalslikechrist.org/ChristianChoice.html
If you have anymore questions at a later date, and need information or resources about identity or about sexual health issues or about the theory and politics of it all, be sure to drop me a line at leah@mail.youthresource.com and I would love to speak with you. You can check out my profile in the Youth Resource peer educators section on the Youth Resource website http://www.youthresource.com. I work with many talented and intelligent individuals who would be more than happy, in fact probably quite excited, to communicate with you.
Peace,
Leah
You HAVE to check out SYRF (Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom)!! They will totally hook you up with the answers to the questions you're having about your faith and your politics, and how to actively combine them for beautiful good and great action in the future!
There website is http://www.syrf.org/
You gotta check them out!
Leah
Meg