Another Year, Another Million and a Half Dead Babies

Thirty-seven years ago today, the Supreme Court of the United States legalized murder.

Since that day, more than 50 million American babies, disproportionately minority, have been killed in the womb.

As every year, pro-life organizations and individuals are marching in Washington to call for an end to the legal murder of unborn babies. 

We must end this abortion abomination now.

I have in the past compared abortion to slavery. Recently I wrote in a book review at Goodreads for Am I Not A Man? The Dred Scott Story:

We have gone from a ruling by the Supreme Court of the land that Negroes were less than human with no rights whatsoever to a Constitution with amendments that guarantee freedom and equal rights to blacks. We’ve gone from a country where a black man didn’t have control over his own body or the ability to care for his family to a country that elected a black man as president.

The story of Dred Scott gave me hope that one day soon we will see the same turnaround in recognizing the humanity and life of unborn children. One day Roe v. Wade will be overturned like the Dred Scott decision was overturned, and as the slaves were freed, the lives of unborn babies will be saved from murder in the womb. One day people will look back and wonder how we could stand by and allow babies to be killed, just as today we look back and wonder how people could stand by and allow black people to be enslaved.

Added 1/23/10: I wrote this in reply to a comment and wanted to add it to the post:

Many people who are pro-choice also see themselves as the champions of minorities, the poor, etc. That doesn’t quite compute … but that’s the way it is. They probably would say they would not have been quiet and tolerant of slavery. But being in favor of slavery is pro-choice in the same way being in favor of abortion is pro-choice: the slaveowner (or the mother) has freedom of choice but the slave (or the baby) doesn’t.

This year, for the first time, those of us who can’t march in person can join the virtual march online.

Only a few years after the infamous Roe v Wade decision, someone close to me (I’ll call her June to protect her privacy) became pregnant. She and her husband, an enlisted man in the Army, had three children already, and the youngest child was profoundly handicapped. Doctors tried to convince June to have an abortion. They couldn’t explain why her two-year daughter was born with multiple birth defects, and they suggested another child might have similar handicaps.

The doctors pressured June to have an abortion. After all, it was legal now, and she had her hands full with a small child in a wheelchair who required constant care plus two older, active youngsters. June, naturally, was worried about her family’s ability to care for another handicapped child, but she had strong religious beliefs about the sanctity of human life at every stage—from conception to natural death. Although she went through extreme emotional distress in making the decision, she refused the abortion.

Thanks be to the God, her son was a completely normal baby, and today he is a completely normal adult. He’s not rich. He’s not famous. He’s not a political leader or a brilliant scientist. He’s not necessarily considered successful by the world’s standards. But he is a man with a family and friends who love him, a man who works and pays taxes and lives an ordinary life, like most of the rest of us. And he deserves to live his ordinary life as you and I deserve to live our lives.

I have wanted to write a novel about a woman going through similar emotional turmoil as June went through all those years ago. I have a half-finished manuscript that I started several years ago, but I wasn’t mature enough as a writer to tell this story effectively at that time. I’m working on a new manuscript (albeit very slowly) about Bonita, a secondary character in Dream or Destiny, who will face the challenge of a pregnancy as a result of rape.

Life is the the most basic human right. Abortion is a tragedy, as powerfully described a post about the people who never lived because of abortion.

Although I’ve never been in the situation myself, I can understand how difficult it would be for a woman to make the decision to carry to term a baby conceived by rape or diagnosed with a severe disability. Yet I believe that is the only possible decision for a Christian.

The Bible is clear in the following passages:

Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. ~ Isaiah 49:1b

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. ~ Jeremiah 1:5a

You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be. ~ Psalm 139:13-16

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19b-20

Find more Scriptures about the sanctity of human life at Anglicans for Life.

Prayer to End Abortion (from Priests for Life)

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death
by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all,
Through Christ our Lord. Amen! 

Added 1/30/10: Here’s the prayer delivered at the National March for Life Rally by Bishop Martyn Minns, Missionery Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in America.

 

The babies that are never born aren’t the only ones who are damaged by abortion. This video reminds us that mothers who abort their babies suffer regret, guilt, and pain. Let’s end the pain and let the babies live.

Added: Statement of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America on the Anniversary of Roe v Wade

Prayer for Haiti

Haiti has been hit by a devastating 7.0 earthquake that has left tens of thousands of people dead and the capital city destroyed.

O GOD, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant thy help to the people of Haiti in this their need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I donated to Food for the Poor, a Christian ministry that feeds thousands of people every day at its feeding center in Port-au-Prince, and many other worthy organizations are providing help in this tragic disaster. You can find a list of top-rated nonprofit agencies providing relief to Haiti at Charity Watch.

I encourage you to include the people of Haiti in your prayers and the relief organization of your choice in your giving.

Added 1/24/10: I submitted this post to Bloggers Unite for Haiti, joining with nearly 300 other bloggers to provide information and to encourage donations to help in this terrible disaster.

Thanks for Helping Me Support NDVH

Thanks to everyone who ordered a copy of Dream or Destiny during October or made relevant comments on posts in the domestic violence series between October 28 and October 31. With your help, I donated $250 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I wish there were a lot more zeros in that number, but books published by small presses don’t sell millions or even thousands of copies, and I know every donation of any size helps.

National Family Literacy Day

Today is National Family Literacy Day. I’ve written about literacy before, and I recognize that family involvement in developing children’s literacy is important.

Here are some resources and family literacy activities and events:

• ReadWriteThink, a partnership between the International Reading Association (IRA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• National Center for Family Literacy
• Pennsylvania Center for the Book Family Literacy Activities
• Parents and Children Together Online Family Literacy Fun Activities

Domestic Violence and You

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, I hope you have learned more about this serious problem. But, as one reader asked in a comment on an earlier post in this series, the question is this: What can we do?

Here are some suggestions on how you and I can help:

• Be aware: know what domestic violence is and understand the pervasiveness and seriousness of the problem.
• Know the signs of abuse and be alert for them in people you know.
• Take action if you see signs that make you suspect someone is being abuse.
• Find resources and more resources and even more resources.
• Join the Million Voices Campaign to help raise awareness and advocate for the cause.
• Contribute to organizations that work to raise awareness, prevent abuse, and support victims.
• Comment (with a relevant comment using a real name) on this or any post in this series by midnight Central time October 31, 2009, and I will donate $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH). Order a copy of Dream or Destiny, and I will donate another $5 to NDVH.

No one should live in fear or die at the hands of someone who is supposed to love them.

Make a Comment and I’ll Make a Donation

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts in this series, I will donate  $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) for every copy of Dream or Destiny sold during the month of October.

However, not everyone who reads and comments here is interested in my book. I can’t imagine why—it’s the Great American Novel, and if you enjoy reading my blog, you must like my writing style.  If you don’t enjoy reading romance or mystery yourself, surely someone on your Christmas list would love a romantic mystery novel personally signed for them. But, alas, as difficult as it is for me to imagine, some of you don’t want my book. And some of you already have a copy.

Those of you who don’t want to read or give my book can still support the fight against domestic violence simply by leaving a relevant comment.  For every relevant comment left on any post in this series by midnight Central Time on October 31, 2009, I will add $5 to my donation to NDVH.

You can still order Dream or Destiny and leave a comment. I will donate $10 ($5 for your purchase and $5 for your comment). I will also send you a free romance e-book, Fern’s Fancies.

National Domestic Violence Month is coming to an end, but unfortunately the serious problem isn’t going away—yet. Let’s do all we can to bring an end of domestic violence.

Christians and Domestic Violence

When Bluestocking interviewed me on her podcast during my blog book tour, she raised an interesting question. She asked how I would respond to someone who blames domestic violence on Christianity. She explained this issue came up in a law school class on domestic violence, and she had been surprised at how many people said Christianity caused domestic violence.

People who are hostile to Christianity will use any excuse to blame Christian faith and practice for anything and everything. Unfortunately, there are people who claim to be Christians who give ammunition to the critics. In Dream or Destiny, David’s father claimed he had the moral right as the head of the Christian family to discipline his wife and children using violence. David turned against religion until he left home and came in contact with true believers and realized that his father’s words and actions were the opposite of the teachings of Christ. The abuser’s excuse was just that—an excuse, not a justification.

St. Paul’s words in Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5 are often misinterpreted to mean that the husband should completely control the wife.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ~ Colossians 3:18, NIV

However, the rest of the passage is frequently ignored by those hostile to Christian faith and by those using the Bible as an excuse for abuse.

 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  ~ Colossians 3:19-21, NIV

The word submit does not mean subject yourself to abuse. Submit means to yield to the authority of someone else or to defer to another’s judgement. In any organization—a business, a club, a government, a family—the buck has to stop somewhere. Someone has to make decisions.

The owner of a business will probably surround himself with talented people he trusts. He will solicit and consider their advice. He will probably authorize them to make many decisions independently. However, the business owner retains the authority to make the final decision on major issues. He has the responsibility of the success of the company, but he values his employees and heeds their opinions.

In the same way, a Christian husband will discuss decisions with his wife. If they don’t agree, she can try to persuade him to her way of thinking. A good husband will listen to his wife and give serious consideration to her ideas. However, if they continue to disagree and a decision has to be made, the husband’s vote is the tie-breaker.

A Christian husband who is sincerely striving to follow God’s will shows respect for his wife and prays about his decisions. He will never abuse his wife or children. Rather, he will do everything in his power to love, nurture, and protect them.

Unfortunately, many churches fail to recognize domestic violence in their congregations. The book Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence describes the experiences of a woman who was abused by her pastor husband. Although I’m not in complete agreement with some of the theology author Jocelyn E Andersen espouses, I think it is important for Christians to be aware that domestic violence can happen within the church. An abused woman needs spiritual help, of course, but she also needs help to get out of a dangerous, life-threatening situation.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am trying to do my part to raise awareness of this serious problem everywhere it exists, including the church.

I am donating $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for every copy of Dream or Destiny sold during the month of October. 

I will also give every purchaser a free e-book of Fern’s Fancies as a thank-you for supporting my efforts to raise money to fight domestic violence.

You can order Dream or Destiny from the publisher, Amazon.com, or directly from me. If you order directly from me, I will make the donation and send your e-book from the information on the order. If you order from the publisher or Amazon.com, please complete the form below so I can send you the e-book and make the donation.

Note: request form removed 11/1/09 as promotion is over.

Let’s End Domestic Violence

As part of my efforts through the Million Voices Campaign, I am sharing information and resources about domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

You will find many startling statistics on the Web site of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH), including the following:

CDC  Adverse Health Conditions and Health Risk Behaviors Associated with Intimate Partner Violence – United States 2005

•  
  • Each year, intimate partner violence (IPV) results in an estimated 1,200 deaths and 2 million injuries among women and nearly 600,000 injuries among men.
  • 23.6% of women and 11.5% of men aged 18 years or more have a lifetime history of intimate partner violence victimization.
  • Highest percentage for women is adults aged 45-54 (31.2%)
  • Highest percentage for men is adults aged 25-34 (21.4%)

These appalling statistics are for the United States, but domestic violence is a critical problem around the world.

Those of us who have never experienced abuse may find it difficult to understand why a woman—or man—who is being abused doesn’t just leave. However, the abuser has likely isolated the victim from family and friends, destroyed their self-confidence, and instilled such fear that the person being abused feels helpless. Also, the physical danger increases when a woman tries to get away from an abuser.

NDVH even has a quick-escape button on its Web site so someone can get away from the site to a totally unrelated site in case their abuser discovers them. The Web site also warns that Internet usage can be monitored, and if the visitor fears for their safety to call the hotline [1-800-799-SAFE(7233)] rather than risk having their visit to the site discovered.

It breaks my heart to think of anyone living in that kind of danger and fear. We must do all we can to save every victim, and that means we have to understand the problem and what can be done about it.

You can find excellent information and resources about domestic violence on the Internet. In addition to the NDVAM and NDVH sites, the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women has extensive links to all kinds of information.

 When I started doing the research for Dream or Destiny, I spent hours following link after link. What I learned appalled me, but the first-person accounts of abuse victims touched my heart and motivated me to do something.

The first thing I did was to write my story. I hope Dream or Destiny is an intriguing mystery and a compelling romance. I hope it also educates readers about domestic violence and motivates them to want to help as well.

During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am donating $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for every sale of Dream or Destiny. I will also give every purchaser a free e-book of Fern’s Fancies as a thank-you for helping me do something.

You can order Dream or Destiny from the publisher, Amazon.com, or directly from me. If you order directly from me, I will make the donation and send your e-book from the information on the order. If you order from the publisher or Amazon.com, please complete the form below so I can send you the e-book and make the donation.

Note: request form removed 11/1/09 as promotion is over.

Million Voices Campaign

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had no idea when I started writing that domestic violence would play any part in Dream or Destiny. When David (the hero of the story) started telling me about the abuse he and his sister suffered, I pointed out the story wasn’t about domestic violence. (Yes, I argue with my characters when they talk back to me.) However, I decided to do a little research so I could put in just enough information to shut David up. I had some knowledge of abuse from reading the lessons my husband had to study to keep his law enforcement certification active.

However, in my research, I came across first-person accounts from victims of domestic violence, and I realized my character was leading me in the right direction. The abuse David and Barbara experienced had to become a major part of the story. Perhaps through my story, readers will gain a better understanding of domestic violence. In a small way, I could become a voice for domestic violence victims.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) is seeking many more voices.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline and campaign founding partner General Federation of Women’s Clubs, along with many individuals and organizations, are dedicated to signing up one million people who are willing to educate, inform, and raise awareness about the problem of domestic violence and the programs that can help.

I have joined the Million Voices Campaign to help raise awareness of domestic violence. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I encourage you to  learn more about domestic violence, and if you’re as distressed as I am about the problem, join the Million Voices Campaign.

I don’t have any personal or professional experience with domestic violence. However, Bluestocking, who has been a domestic violence victims’ advocate, said this in her review of Dream or Destiny:

I think the author did an excellent job with developing his psychology throughout the book.  I have extensive personal experience with Domestic Violence, and I can tell you none of David’s story is farfetched.

If you enjoy romance and mystery, you can learn more about domestic violence as you read Dream or Destiny for enjoyment. I will donate $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for every copy of the novel that is sold during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

To thank you for your purchase and the opportunity for me to make a donation, I will send you an e-book of the contemporary romance, Fern’s Fancies.

If you purchase an autographed copy of Dream or Destiny directly from me, I will automatically e-mail your e-book and make the donation. If you order from GASLight Publishing, LLC or Amazon.com, contact me using the request form to let me know where you bought the book; I will make a donation to the NDVH and send your free e-book.

Podcast at Bluestocking Guide

On my blog book tour for Dream or Destiny, The Bluestocking Guide interviewed me on a podcast.

The interview is posted again on The Bluestocking Guide for Domestic Violence Month. Bluestocking was a domestic violence victims’ advocate, and we had a fascinating discussion about the subject.

Bluestocking said that David’s psychological reactions in Dream or Destiny were very accurate from her experience of dealing with victims. I don’t have any personal experience with domestic violence, so I’m glad my research—especially reading first-person accounts of victims—resulted in an accurate portrayal.

If you’re interested in understanding and preventing domestic violence, listen to the Inklings podcast.

Remember, I’m donating $5 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for every copy of Dream or Destiny sold during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I’ll also give each person who buys Dream or Destiny an e-book of the contemporary romance Fern’s Fancies. Learn more in my previous post on supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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