Protesting

[Bootstrap]

The Bible says to teach against fornication, which would do quite a bit to reduce abortions. It doesn’t say in the Bible to make life easier for fornicator - rather it tells us to teach them to repent.

The Bible tells us to make disciples. If we don't do that, many people will never grasp what's wrong with fornication.

[Neto]

The Bible says to teach against fornication, which would do quite a bit to reduce abortions. It doesn’t say in the Bible to make life easier for fornicator - rather it tells us to teach them to repent.

The Bible tells us to make disciples. If we don't do that, many people will never grasp what's wrong with fornication.

I know that there was no intention to imply otherwise, but repentance is essential before the process of making disciples can begin. (At least Peter, in his 'sermon' recorded in the beginning of the book of the Acts, makes a clear and rather confrontational call for repentance. He, as the one who was known to stick his foot in his mouth at regular intervals, minced no words.)

[PetrChelcicky]

If abortion is sinful,
- wouldn't the first point be to opt out of it, to not take part in it - and to not be forced to take part in it.
Thus, opting out of insurance schemes, by which your money is used for abortions (if we have a movement against war taxes, we ought likewise to have a movement against abortion fees).
Also, giving doctors a real opportunity to opt out of taking part in abortions.
I see the "march for life" mostly as a demonstration of dissent which is the necessary base for the demand to be left out of the "abortion system" - the same way I see a pacifist demonstration mostly as demonstration of dissent, as a necessary base for the demand to be left out of the "war system".
Well, such a demonstration can be interpreted as an attempt to force one's will upon others. (Above all, because Catholics don't draw the fine line here.) But if I actually have other goals and those other goals cannot be met in a different way I think protesting/demonstrations/marches are okay.

[Bootstrap]

The Bible says to teach against fornication, which would do quite a bit to reduce abortions. It doesn’t say in the Bible to make life easier for fornicator - rather it tells us to teach them to repent.

The Bible tells us to make disciples. If we don't do that, many people will never grasp what's wrong with fornication.

I know that there was no intention to imply otherwise, but repentance is essential before the process of making disciples can begin. (At least Peter, in his 'sermon' recorded in the beginning of the book of the Acts, makes a clear and rather confrontational call for repentance. He, as the one who was known to stick his foot in his mouth at regular intervals, minced no words.)

I think you are talking about this verse?

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I see repentance as closely related to turning to Jesus. If I am facing South and I turn to face North, did I turn away from the South or toward the North? Both. But until people see Jesus and turn to Jesus, I think it's hard for them to see a compelling alternative to what they are living now.

I think we need every verb in that verse. We need to repent, we need to be baptized, we need the forgiveness of sins, and we need to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

[Szdfan]

If abortion is sinful,
- wouldn't the first point be to opt out of it, to not take part in it - and to not be forced to take part in it.
Thus, opting out of insurance schemes, by which your money is used for abortions (if we have a movement against war taxes, we ought likewise to have a movement against abortion fees).
Also, giving doctors a real opportunity to opt out of taking part in abortions.
I see the "march for life" mostly as a demonstration of dissent which is the necessary base for the demand to be left out of the "abortion system" - the same way I see a pacifist demonstration mostly as demonstration of dissent, as a necessary base for the demand to be left out of the "war system".
Well, such a demonstration can be interpreted as an attempt to force one's will upon others. (Above all, because Catholics don't draw the fine line here.) But if I actually have other goals and those other goals cannot be met in a different way I think protesting/demonstrations/marches are okay.

This is where the US is different from Germany. Access to abortion in many states is rather limited and it generally happens at abortion clinics, not hospitals. No doctor can be required to perform an abortion. Most insurance plans don’t cover abortions. No federal funds may be used to subsidize or pay for abortions.

[barnhart]

If abortion is sinful,
- wouldn't the first point be to opt out of it, to not take part in it - and to not be forced to take part in it.
Thus, opting out of insurance schemes, by which your money is used for abortions (if we have a movement against war taxes, we ought likewise to have a movement against abortion fees).

I have never thought of this. One weakness of protest is the failure to extricate from the system being critiqued. This would have double effect, both the moral authority of one free from the system and possible economic consequences if enough people participate.

[Ken]

If abortion is sinful,
- wouldn't the first point be to opt out of it, to not take part in it - and to not be forced to take part in it.
Thus, opting out of insurance schemes, by which your money is used for abortions (if we have a movement against war taxes, we ought likewise to have a movement against abortion fees).

I have never thought of this. One weakness of protest is the failure to extricate from the system being critiqued. This would have double effect, both the moral authority of one free from the system and possible economic consequences if enough people participate.

You have the right to do that now with religious-based health insurance cooperatives or "health sharing ministries"

[Wade]

If abortion is sinful,
- wouldn't the first point be to opt out of it, to not take part in it - and to not be forced to take part in it.
Thus, opting out of insurance schemes, by which your money is used for abortions (if we have a movement against war taxes, we ought likewise to have a movement against abortion fees).

I have never thought of this. One weakness of protest is the failure to extricate from the system being critiqued. This would have double effect, both the moral authority of one free from the system and possible economic consequences if enough people participate.

The Mennonites I know in Canada don't partake in the "free" health care here(Canadian healthcare funds abortions through tax money) The Mennonites, again in Canada I know, pay hospital bills out of pocket and support one another through brotherly love. Is this not how it is in other countries?

[Szdfan]

The Mennonites I know in Canada don't partake in the "free" health care here(Canadian healthcare funds abortions through tax money) The Mennonites, again in Canada I know, pay hospital bills out of pocket and support one another through brotherly love. Is this not how it is in other countries?

It depends on the country’s healthcare system. Here in the US, there are a number of options, including mutual aid or Mennonite run health insurance like Everence. In other countries with single-payer systems, it’s harder to do that. Of course abortion isn’t always the same cultural wedge issue that it’s here.

After reunification, the German Baptists took over a couple of former East German hospitals in Berlin-Brandenburg. I recall that it was controversial when these hospitals stopped providing abortions, but it wasn’t near the vehemence that it is in the US.

While abortion is controversial in more conservative Catholic counties (like Ireland), I get the sense that in general abortion is not the same culture war defining issue in other countries that it is in the US.

[Chris]

Protest in your heart and the actions you take. You don't need to go make your statement or voice heard. If you are doing what God wants, that's what is important. God's light using you will shine before men and they'll know.