Nothing I could write will make last week's event any more meaningful. I
have no beautifully-worded speeches or wise sayings to recall that can
bring a tear to one's eye or provide greater clarity as to the magnitude
of the travesty we've witnessed. I have no heartfelt stories to tell of
11th hour cell phone calls. I bear no pictures of missing friends or family.
Many have spoken more elegantly than me — from President Bush's
comforting words and demonstration of leadership following the crashes to
Billy Graham's candor and acknowledgment that his faith in God is the only answer he has to the question of why evil exists in our world.
Yet, I'm struck by the enormous unity and perseverance of the American
people. Time and time again we rally around our common beliefs in freedom,
sacrifice, and love for both our neighbors and fellow citizens we don't
know. America is speaking with one voice against the acts of war
perpetrated by these suicide bombers and we're shouting together with
alacrity and fervor that we will not sit idly by and allow our nation to
be brought to its knees by those who despise us.
With some exceptions.
Sadly, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others shattered the moments of silence around the nation in remembrance of those who died with words of scorn and condemnation. They and others blamed the horrific deaths of thousands on numerous political groups with whom they disagree –including abortion advocates. In so doing they trivialized their deaths and wrongfully exploited this senseless travesty for political gain.
Thankfully, I did not know anyone killed or injured as a result of the
attacks on New York City and Washington, DC. I can only empathize and
share from afar the grief thousands of Americans must feel as a result of
the loss of friends and loved ones. However, I can only imagine that friends
and families of the victims found Falwell's and Robertson's words terribly
offensive — that somehow someone or some group other than a bunch of
crazed vigilante terrorists are to blame for the deaths of people close to
them.
In some respects, theirs was the right message at the wrong time.
Yes, abortion has been a tremendous scar on our country. Yes, God must
mourn the lives of 40 million unborn children. Yes, the number of abortions in one day almost equals the number of lives taken on Tuesday, September 11th.
However, as a Christian, I firmly believe now is the time to focus on the
grace and peace the Lord offers through the death of Jesus Christ. Now is a time for hope and healing instead of chastisement and condemnation.
We don't need to use this travesty to put another rhetorical tool against
abortion in our quiver. We already have all the opportunity we need and all the information we need to educate the public on the travesty of abortion without using these attacks as some kind of springboard or comparison. If we feel obligated to do so, we ought to ask ourselves what we've been doing for the last 28 years to stop abortion. If we've truly presented the pro-life perspective we ought not feel compelled to advance it now on the back of such a tragic situation.
Jesus said no greater love is shown than when we lay down our lives for
our friends. This is the example He gave us through His torturous death on
the cross. This is the kind of pro-life spirit we have seen over the last
several days.
Stories have already surfaced of selfless acts that typify the Christian,
pro-life values we ought to celebrate and aggressively promote.
* Several passengers on Flight 93 band together to prevent their plane from becoming the fourth to crash violently into an important building or public place killing hundreds if not thousands of people. One of the passengers is a Christian who helps overtake the terrorists and makes several calls to his wife to share his love with her and to help provide descriptions of the terrorists for authorities.
* In a World Trade Center already ablaze, one man carries a wheelchair-bound disabled woman down at least 40 flights of stairs rather than allow her to fend for herself in a crumbling building.
* Perhaps as many as 200 firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers rushed into a burning World Trade Center to save as many lives as possible. Little did they know they would be making the ultimate act of sacrifice when the buildings collapsed and they too became casualties of this brutal terrorist attack.
* A Catholic priest ministers to victims of the plane crashes in New York City. As the buildings crumble and the twin towers fall, he becomes a victim himself.
* Following the tragic events, millions of Americans unite together in candlelight vigils, to attend special church ceremonies and rallies, to participate in prayers and moments of silence, and to donate their time, money and services to the victims.
Show the country these Christian acts. Celebrate these pro-life deeds. Encourage young Americans to emulate these people.
Fortunately, Jerry Falwell has apologized for his remarks. However, he let an opportunity slip through his hands to show our country the right thing to do.
As pro-life people, we're not just “anti-abortion.” We're pro-life. We're for something and not against everything. There's an alternative — a better way. We present realistic solutions as alternatives to women facing crisis pregnancies and Christ's forgiveness as a solution to emotional and personal destruction following an abortion. In the same way, instead of
condemning a nation, Falwell and Robertson should have promoted these
stories as the way things ought to be.
One day in Heaven we'll be able to thank these brave men and women for
their Christ-like actions. They proved what it means to be a Christian. They proved what it really means to be pro-life.
(This article courtesy of the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)
