Perhaps you have seen the clever “hashtags” such as #childofgod, #todayisgreat, and #herewegoagain.
Hashtags use the number sign (#) in front of a word or an un-spaced phrase, making it easy for social network users to find messages with a specific theme or content. Hashtags are often used for social activism to promote certain agendas or social movements. In September, our society experienced a new level of hashtag insanity with #shoutyourabortion (shout your abortion). Women and men around the world are now shouting their abortion decision by way of a quick, emotional hashtag. This confuses me.
Why? Because those who claim that abortion is nothing more than a woman’s right to a medical procedure do not, as far as I know, shout out other medical procedures. For example, we don’t hear of women’s health organizations encouraging #shoutyourkidneystoneremoval or #shoutyourmammogram or #shoutyourstdtest. No. There is something deeper going on, and the timing of #shoutyourabortion is more than concerning—especially in light of the recent exposure of Planned Parenthood’s hideous practice of selling aborted baby body parts.
Studies show that abortion is linked to depression. “After Abortion Facts” statistics reveal that as many as nine in ten women regret having their abortion, seven in ten women feel bitter and desperate after their abortion, and up to 70% experience uncontrollable weeping. The mainstream media and organizations with financial gain agendas are working feverishly to blame these statistics on people like you and me who won’t embrace the killing of innocent children in the womb. Those who believe that a woman’s “right to choose” trumps a baby’s beating heart often note that it’s our fault that post-abortive women feel the depression and shame that most typically follows abortion. Let’s follow this line of thinking. Our society does not openly embrace rape and murder. That being the case, why isn’t this world filled with rapists and murderers who feel shame and guilt over their actions?
Our human nature celebrates things that we delight in. In a different kind of way, we celebrate things that we mourn. For instance, we celebrate our child’s birthday but also 9/11. We can look through history to find many days recognizing joy and life and others recognizing tragedy or death. Those celebrations stand in contrast. The purpose for one is to remember the gift and value of life. The purpose of the other is to remember loss with sadness and reverence.
Could it be that those who are driven to shout their abortions have been deceived yet once again? Could they be deceived into thinking that the “shout out” that they’re giving is in celebration of their own personal life when, in truth, their hearts are feeling and expressing a very real loss? I believe the statistics show this to be true for many. In fact, we can use a statistic very close to us at The Lighthouse Center of Hope in Iowa Falls, Iowa (where I am the executive director). Linda Bartlett, former president of Lutherans For Life and current president of the Lighthouse board of directors, says, “At last count, at least 25 of my friends, relatives, and acquaintances have shared their abortions with me. These women grieve the loss of their child and their motherhood. They tell about their depression, drug abuse, withdrawal from relationships, feelings of doing self-harm and, worst of all, their separation from God.”
There is another kind of hashtag that expresses unselfish love for life. A friend of mine recently posted #shoutyourADOPTION. Now that’s something to celebrate! At The Lighthouse, we come alongside women and families with the love of Christ, whether they grieve their abortion choice or find peace in their adoption choice. Christ’s mercies never end! They are new every morning! Because we have seen hope and healing through the decisions that have haunted families for years, it is our desire to shout the things that please God and show evidence of His faithful and holy work.
Proverbs 24:11-12 reminds us, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?”
Let’s whisper and let’s shout the hope of Christ. Let’s bring hope to those who have been deceived by the world to sin against God, themselves, and their child. Let’s help others look forward to the future with great hope and trust in the Lord of life.
Sherry Ellis is the Executive Director of The Lighthouse Center of Hope in Iowa Falls, Iowa. www.thelighthousecenter.com