Moral Ramifications

Every day now, for over a month, there have been dedicated protesters standing outside the planned parenthood down the street from my house. I pass these dedicated Christians every morning around 7:30 am, and then again well after 4:00 pm on my return home from work.

It is no secret that I am against abortion. And without going into all of the anatomical or emotional reasons I think my main implication is of moral standing based on the faith that surrounds most of my reasoning. I think that any sound bible believing christian can agree that abortion is wrong. Despite this, I found myself mentally criticizing them each time I passed. Thinking that protesting was an arrogant approach to the continental problem. But, after time, their dedication has amazed me to the point of reconsideration.

I am hoping that their protests are against the act of abortion and not in standing judgement towards the women who, in desperation, seek abortion. One day soon I hope to pause in my own selfish routine to have a conversation with them as to their purpose and goal of protesting. But in reflecting more deeply, I can greatly appreciate their underlying plea from the passersby "Pray to End Abortion." I must confess, this is an act I have not participated in. I believe in prayer, but until recently my prayer life has been so weak that my "prayers" have been more like passing thoughts as opposed to pleas of action towards our heavenly father.

My devotion today was found in Leviticus 20. In reading this passage, God made it apparent that anyone who is participating in Human sacrifices was to be put to death. Leviticus highlights the practices of Israelites sacrificing their children to the Ammonites god Molech-where children would be tossed into a fire to be burned alive, often times, these children were the first born infants. Leviticus continues to highlight that not only are those who are sacrificing guilty, but "...the people of the community [who]close their eyes when a man gives one of his children to Molech." God says that the punishment for doing nothing in the eyes of such sin results in God setting his face "...against the man and his family and will cut [the] off from their people."

Now my fascination has peaked and I research child sacrifices in history and it seems as though just about every culture in the course of history has child sacrifice involved. Therefore I had to ask myself, is Abortion our cultures way of continuing this sinful practice? I must admit that I feel overwhelming that it is. We as America have allowed abortion to occur legally for over 40 years now, we have in essence done what the Israelites did by turning, or "closing" our eyes to it. We Christians know that it is happening, yet what are we doing about it? Are we seeking out young pregnant teens, desperate for support and solution? Are we counseling our youth as to the benefits of Abstinence and sexual responsibility (whatever that means?) Are we defending our stance to the public? Are we protesting? Are we voting against it? Are we praying?