Seeking Common Ground
by Pastor Pip - August 16th, 2009.Filed under: Uncategorized.
Well, I’m actually going to do it. I’m going to introduce the subject of abortion into this blog – but NOT to try to convince you to be “pro-choice” or “pro-life”.
I’ve been catching up on my reading and so, having devoured the July and August issues of Sojourners magazine, I am currently reading through June’s issue. I know, I know…but I’m actually further behind than that.
Julie Polter writes a very encouraging article (http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0906&article=bridge-over-troubled-waters) about how many people on both sides of the abortion issue are putting down their verbal swords in order to work together toward a common goal – reducing the number of abortions. I find it encouraging that people, without giving up any of their strongly held convictions, decided to look for agreement rather than difference.
The article lays out a number of initiatives that can be supported by proponents of both sides and you can read the details yourself, but there is a common thread that touches on our patron saint, Clare of Assisi, and her life’s witness. When circumstances were studied, it was found that one of the best ways to reduce the number of abortions was to reduce the number of people living in poverty and to provide a little extra support to the poor. It’s simple. Poverty leads people to have unplanned pregnancies at higher rates and to choose abortion at higher rates when they do get pregnant.
In the end, my thoughts today really aren’t about abortion. They are about refusing to demonize those who don’t agree with us and instead choosing to find ways to work together to reach common goals in the midst of disagreement. And they are about following in St. Clare’s footsteps in caring for the poor as a way of showing our devotion and thankfulness to God for all our blessings.
August 26th, 2009 at 10:57 am
There is no more common ground with people who find excuses for abortion than there would be with those who wanted to exterminate Jews in the Holocausst.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I certainly understand your strong feeling on this, Wil. This issues stirs up very strong emotions for people on all sides, and on this blog, I’m not trying to change anyone’s opinion on this. But I do agree with the article I referred to that if people on both sides are willing to work together in ways that don’t compromise either person’s deeply held convictions (i.e., working to reduce poverty), we might be able to reach a common goal - reduce the number of abortions - and thereby make the world a better place.
Each side can continue to work for their ultimate goals, but in the meantime, a lot of good is done.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
It is difficult to restrain my own feelings although I can be ambivalent if challenged. But to me there is no argument that can be made against the one you put forth. We need to leave judgment to God, love each other, and care for the poor. Just as elimination of poverty can eliminate the oppression of women and the threat of terrorism, so can it reduce the number of abortions. Is that enough–probably not. But it is a start and is far more desirable that merely lobbing judgments and threats at each other. Thanks for broaching this very difficult subject.