The Problem With Loving the Unborn
This Facebook post from June 2018 by Dave Barnhart, a Methodist pastor, is worth quoting in full:
“The unborn” are a convenient group of people to advocate for. They never make demands of you; they are morally uncomplicated, unlike the incarcerated, addicted, or the chronically poor; they don’t resent your condescension or complain that you are not politically correct; unlike widows, they don’t ask you to question patriarchy; unlike orphans, they don’t need money, education, or childcare; unlike aliens, they don’t bring all that racial, cultural, and religious baggage that you dislike; they allow you to feel good about yourself without any work at creating or maintaining relationships; and when they are born, you can forget about them, because they cease to be unborn. It’s almost as if, by being born, they have died to you. You can love the unborn and advocate for them without substantially challenging your own wealth, power, or privilege, without re-imagining social structures, apologizing, or making reparations to anyone. They are, in short, the perfect people to love if you want to claim you love Jesus but actually dislike people who breathe.
Prisoners? Immigrants? The sick? The poor? Widows? Orphans? All the groups that are specifically mentioned in the Bible? They all get thrown under the bus for the unborn.
(thx, caroline)
Discussion 3 comments
This is brilliantly insightful. Why don't these things ever pierce the bubble of the people that need to hear it? Even if you put it front and center on every one of their Facebook pages I don't think it would change any of their minds.
Some Methodists are still good, and I'm glad for the reminder. (I grew up Methodist, though am not any longer.)
That is a great quote.
As someone born and raised in Europe, I was surprised by the attitude towards religion and churches when I moved to the US. Haven't gotten over it even after 24 years.
Some religious leaders are honest, caring, and insightful, as this interview demonstrates. Unfortunately, many others use religion as a weapon and a tool to pursue their personal gain, and they are the ones who tend to be more influential. Preaching love and altruism is never as effective as stoking fear.
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