Setting the Record Straight

In Our Midst Ministries, while wholeheartedly pro-life, is equally pro-woman, pro-family, and pro-freedom. What I mean by that is that some have characterized this ministry as being "anti-abortion," arguing that we are against a woman's right to choose. Semantics aside, because the United States of America has determined that a woman does indeed have the legal right to terminate the life of her unborn child we are bound to uphold the law of this great land. Whether we agree with the law or not, we respect the institution that has passed it.

My reason for writing this entry today is in response to an apparently obscure web site that calls itself "Abortion Facts and Information," a title rife with irony considering they have classified IOM as an "anti-abortion" web site using the following criteria, quoted from their own home page:

"The purpose of this site is to help women in accessing abortion clinics, accurate information and contraception while avoiding those who oppose women's right to self determination. Anti abortion organizations are also opposed to contraception and sex education. All women have the right to decide if, when and how many children they will bear, without coercion, deception, stigma or guilt."[Emphasis mine]

The FACT is that IOM does not "oppose women's right to self determination." Self determination is defined by Encarta as "the ability or right to make your own decisions without interference from others." We at IOM believe completely that women have a right to self determination according to this definition. However, we also believe that in making the decision to terminate the life of one's child, a woman should have access to all pertinent information pertaining to said decision and the possible (and probable) affects thereof. For example, women considering abortion should have access to factual information concerning the very real physical and emotional risks (to themselves) of abortion. What we at IOM have found is that abortion hurts every life it touches. Because we care about women, we want them to know about these risks so that they may make informed decisions.

In fact, we are vehemently opposed to the coercion of women to have abortions. One recent report by the Elliot Institute stated that about 64% of abortions involve coercion by the father of the baby, the parents of the mother and/or father, or others.

A report by Vanderbilt Students for Life stated that "By vesting all reproductive responsibility in the woman, a pro-choice male creates a situation in which men can easily rationalize their irresponsibility toward women who choose not to abort.

They go on to say that:

As Daniel Callahan puts it, ``If legal abortion has given women more choice, it has also given men more choice as well. They now have a potent new weapon in the old business of manipulating and abandoning women.`` Given that 80 percent of all abortions are sought by single women (according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute) the advent of reproductive rights has created a situation in which a man can coerce a woman to have an abortion by denying his responsibility towards her, or even abandoning her when she gets pregnant and ``chooses`` to carry the pregnancy to term.

Coerced abortion is in direct opposition to self determination.

The FACT is that "anti abortion" organizations, generally speaking, and IOM, specifically speaking, are not "opposed to contraception and sex education." We believe that there are safe and reliable methods of contraception, but we also believe that sex was created by God to be enjoyed within the constraints of marriage -- marriage as defined by God -- between one man and one woman. (The BEST sex is that that is enjoyed as the Creator intended it to be!) And we believe honest, trustworthy sex education should be a part of every young person's life. The sex education promoted by Planned Parenthood, for example, does not meet this criteria. Condoms do not prevent most of the sexually transmitted diseases and they are not a reliable method of preventing pregnancy, for that matter. "The pill" (as well as other chemical/hormonal contraceptives) do not prevent any sexually transmitted diseases and can cause a variety of health risks for the woman.

The FACT is that the very basis of the Abortion Facts and Information web site, by their own definition, is sorely lacking in "accurate information" -- at the very least in their characterization of "anti abortion" organizations. With such glaring errors at the core of this web site, I would question the credibility and reliability of information found within its pages. In fact, as I examined their "abortion fact sheet" I was appalled at the misinformation printed there.

My caution to those seeking accurate information on this emotionally charged and sensitive issue is to carefully consider the source. If the information talks about abortion as though it is as harmless as having a cavity filled, run! Many times those that have had abortions will try to influence others to abort so their own abortions will seem more justifiable and "okay." This type of behavior is not consciously intended to harm others, however it is a common practice among those that have not sufficiently dealt with their abortions.

The bottom line is that, based on our years of experience in working with those that have made the decision to abort, we do believe abortion not only destroys the life of an unborn child, but it also devastates the lives of others touched by that decision -- namely the mother of the baby, the father, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends -- and the list goes on. In short, abortion wounds every life it touches.

For accurate information regarding abortion and its after-effects, go to SafeHaven Ministries or Elliot Institute. If you or someone you know is struggling with the decision to abort or not, there is accurate, reliable, helpful information out there. Make sure the source you go to is one that is trustworthy and has your/their best interests at heart.

Because we care,
Mary