http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... &start=190
Jazman wrote:Are you sure it's genuine though? I'm skeptical... In the long run, does move really further the cause of anti-abortion?Dan Z wrote:I know this has been said, but I too deeply appreciate this President’s Pro-life support, including being the first in-person president at the March For Life.
Even if he's turning towards something that could be genuine, he really is only a few years removed from publicly bragging about assaulting women and with that, the implication he doesn't care about the procreative possibilities involved either... Rob Schenck, who spent years in the pro-life/anti-abortion movement, recently wrote this, and I think it's spot on:And then there's this really good piece from Scot McKnight on "statism""With the campaign of Donald Trump, the movement I once devoted my life to was swallowed up by a political leviathan. In Trump’s craven pursuit of power, prestige, and the adulation of the crowds, the once poster boy for a lifestyle of pleasure-seeking and self-absorption that required legalized abortion for its own preservation, offered a deal to pro-lifers: Sell out to me and I’ll sell out to you. You’ll get everything you want if you give me everything I want." Rob SchenkMost of the anti-abortion, politically active christians I know, have all bought into this "statism" completely... It's why they're one-issue voters - they really think one man, as president can magically change things..."At no time in my life have I seen the church more engaged in politics and more absorbed by a political story. I’m not referring here simply to Republican vs. Democrat or Conservative vs. Progressive. Rather, I mean the belief that what matters most is what happens in D.C. and if we get the right candidate elected America can be saved." - Scott McKnight
He doesn't specifically address Trump or abortion, but I think it applies... I personally think it's wrong to hang the pro-life movement/goals/etc on one person, especially the Pres; and that idea has been wrong since the 80's when the same group of politicized christians did it with Reagan (even though he had earlier promoted more liberalized abortion in the state he governed...) IMO, I'd rather no pres show up at the march and especially not trump. I think it's a poor strategy at changing hearts & minds (especially neighbors), which is where the real work of anti-abortion beliefs needs to be done. I would pretty much guarantee that most or all of the progressive/liberal movers/shakers etc who support abortion and the "lifestyle of pleasure-seeking" mentioned by Rob above, are having the biggest and hardening-of-heart laugh of their lives knowing a person like Trump went to the pro-life march... to me, trumps appearance at this is actually a setback to the big picture goals of the movement... but I guess I can't prove that now because the future that we don't know is involved... maybe I'll be proven wrong.
i don’t think DECADES of effort by MILLIONS of diverse people VOLUNTEERING for prolife can or should be damaged by 1 visit by 1 POTUS. if he has this kind of power in your life, i recommend self-check of heart issues.temporal1 wrote:i can’t be sure, but my perception is, this was a milestone for decades of effort made without much public acknowledgement. Nick Sandmann’s presence and recent settlement was another special encouragement. Dr Alveda King positively “glowed” that day. LOADS of college and high school students present.Dan Z wrote:I know this has been said, but I too deeply appreciate this President’s Pro-life support, including being the first in-person president at the March For Life.
It seemed so positive, healthy, and peaceful.
the “others” i can’t “unsee,” or unhear, are (esp) obama and hillary, each making DNC party platform pledges to Planned Parenthood, for-profit-corporate-abortion and infanticide. other DNC leaders following right along. they are invested! this is off-the-charts wrong for me.
the DNC OWNS THIS. and much more.
no one forced them to draw this line in the sand. THEY CHOSE IT.
Historically, politicians are not anywhere near as candid as this, double-talking for votes, but, for however long it lasts, it can sure help some decide what’s acceptable and what’s not.
i’m replying in B.T.s, the (Good things) thread had been wandering, but when a thread specifically on “good things” goes so far off, B.T.s is available.
presumably, some mistake gov for god, some may confuse DJT, obama, etc., for god, but i’ll hold out for the majority to know better. well, and, many just don’t care. (i agree, “gov as god” is a big deal. one i believe MLK Jr inadvertently spearheaded .. another topic.)
go ahead and hate as you desire, tho. i don’t mean to be a total buzzkill.
personally, i’m always kinda amazed at how much influence the office of POTUS, and all places of leadership, for instance, school principals, have. for me, it’s curious how that works.
i find this visit by DJT to MFL an interesting gesture.
after decades of presidents, and MSM silence.
MSM silence for decades represents more questions (in my mind) than DJT’s one visit.
that, and the fact media silence did NOT stop all those dedicated individuals over all those years. something important must have been motivating them. something more than media limelight.
i guess there is more than media judgment.
.. what could it be?? ..
(i suspect) those that hate DJT no matter what he does or says, have made a sort of UN-idol out of him, inadvertently attributing much more power to him than is humanly possible.
he really is just a man. really limited to 8 years max as POTUS. really limited to 1 life on earth.
hate is powerful. i suppose it could be a false god, itself.
the more it continues, the more i expect it’s possible.
The DNC could not have made decision-making easier.
