I have been talking to a person from high school on facebook for a couple of years now. She and I tend to disagree rather vehemently on abortion issues and religion. I thought we were having heated, yet respectful arguments. But, I decided a few months ago that the arguing was taking up too much of my time, and she often had inflammatory posts and statuses, so I just blocked her content. I didn't unfriend, just blocked it so that I would not feel like I had to comment on everything she had to say. I just felt like it was better that way.
I had also been reading her blog - she only had a couple of posts up before she stopped blogging, so it didn't occur to me to take her out of my Google reader. Yesterday she popped up with a truly angry post, directed at Christianity, and pro-lifers. To be fair, she was mad about legislation recently introduced to the Georgia legislature (among other things) by House Republican Bobby Franklin - crazy, nutso legislation. He's been introducing it since 2002, so it's old news. Why it is suddenly making news is beyond me. Anyway, she was very angry, and criticized Catholic hospitals for not performing abortions or sterilization procedures (this is a whole other post). This of course, got my back up, and I had to respond. I probably over did it, and probably did not sound like the Christian I claim to be (I'm not perfect - a work in progress just like anyone else), but I just can't understand ... Can someone please explain to me how it is okay to kill a baby? Life at the moment of conception is scientifically proven - to me it is a no-brainer. But I want to understand the mindset. She accuses Christians of being brainwashed. I believe she has allowed herself to believe what she wants, hook, line and sinker - and it's all lies. The people who started the pro-abort movement in this country can tell you it's all lies. Why then, is it defended, and people like me, who want to protect the unborn, are mocked? I have posted this several times today, but I will do it again:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Re...member the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."
—John 15:18-20
—John 15:18-20
For some reason, after posting to her blog my apologies for being overly harsh, I decided to check her Facebook wall. I must be twisted or have some propensity towards self flagellation. She and some of her Facebook friends were mocking me, accusing me of reporting her facebook posts as spam (I didn't even know she had written any, I had blocked her content) - it's okay, I know they think I am a nut. I didn't even mind when someone commented that she was talented for bringing a "True Believer" out of the woodwork. I took that as a compliment actually, but when she described me as "turning mean" when I couldn't get her to agree, I was actually hurt. I think our discussions have been pretty respectful. I don't use profanity, I try to explain my point as best I can.
I am honestly flabbergasted when people don't know what's behind planned parenthood, abortion, NARAL, and the like. They get so angry when a "woman's right to choose" is threatened, but they think nothing of the child. Please, I am dead serious, someone explain this to me. But please, be factual. Don't spout opinions and invented numbers. Don't tell me a baby is better of dead because of horrible parents or circumstances. I believe that EVERY SINGLE CHILD should get a shot at life. And yes, my faith is enormously wrapped up in this, but if you read my last post, you know it's not only faith, it is my belief in the Constitution of this great nation. It's being abused in so many ways, but honestly, this is the most egregious. When in the WORLD did we get so arrogant as to think we should determine who lives and who dies?!
Please - someone who understands this - please explain it to me. I truly don't get it. I am not sure that I will be able to comprehend, and I know you won't change my mind, but I would like some insight - truly. And I'm not talking about the rape/incest/health of the mother 1%, I'm talking about the other 99%. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with abortion under ANY circumstance. But I have heard those arguments, and I have my beliefs in regards to those as well. But how does anyone justify the rest?
In the end, I went back and deleted all of my comments from her blog. They weren't being heard anyway. I unfriended on Facebook, as I thought that best to keep my thoughts from turning entirely uncharitable. I was spending too much time on it when it wasn't going to win any hearts. I need to learn how to pick my battles. That one was lost. So, I went upstairs, cuddled three smelly, gorgeous little boys. I read books and sang some songs and prayed with them. They will be the ones who win this. Our children will change their minds. I know it. I can feel it happening. So many are starting to understand, finally. They are starting to see. I pray it continues. I know it will - I just hope and pray I am alive the day this country decides it is done killing it's children. Jesus...have mercy on us and on the whole world...Blessed Mother of God, pray for us. Amen.
I'm with you Megan :) I have many liberal school-mates that I attempt not to get involved with in argument - but still stand my ground - if that makes sense! I think you know what I mean! It is hard to believe, but again, what early Christians fought - pagan beliefs, life issues..have not gone away - they still remain in our battle grounds today. I think our early Fathers, both church and state, would be appalled ...but I know I'm preaching to the choir here -- pray above all, pray for conversion...it's amazing how it can come - God willing!
ReplyDeleteHI Denise, I know just what you meant :). I am praying for conversion, but I have to let this one go. I deleted my comments on her blog, not because I thought I was wrong, but because I would feel compelled to respond to any arguments with them. Same with the Facebook stuff. I just had to unfriend and admit that I am never going to convince her, so just let it go. It's hard, as I tend to be like a dog with a bone about stuff, but it has to be done. My time is better spent sharing my ideas with my children, so they can go out and help change hearts someday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for always reading and commenting. You always bolster me! Blessings, Megan
I can totally understand why you blocked her and why you don't even want to see her posts. You felt like all you were saying was falling on deaf ears, anyway. You were being criticized and made fun of, all for defending the life of little ones yet to be born. It hurts when people don't want to see the truth. I can only imagine that this is how it feels to be out there picketing the abortion clinics. How are we supposed to fight this awful thing when it seems like they are winning? I don't know about you, but it seems to me that for every person who does NOT believe in abortion, there are about 1000 people who DO. I feel very outnumbered. They are so strong and so boisterous, so willing to DEFEND their views, and can be quite vicious when doing it. So much so that we tend to back out of the argument. I've been in a group where I've expressed my views on the subject and about 15 women turned on me and told me all about women's rights and blah, blah, blah...and I was the only one standing there saying, "but...but...but what about the babies?" and I was so ALONE. And they out-powered me. They were louder than me. And so I stopped talking. After all, all that I was saying was falling on deaf ears. What I was saying wasn't doing any good. Sometimes it seems that the people who are wrong are "winning" the battle, winning the debate, because the people who are right are backing down when it gets too heated or uncomfortable. I don't know. Maybe I'm being pessimistic tonight. But this is how I sometimes feel :(
ReplyDeleteHI Katrina!
ReplyDeleteI know it is easy to get...disheartened is the only word I can think of. I do feel like it falls on deaf ears a lot of the time. I do have some benefit in living in the middle of the country, where people just happen to be more pro-life, but sheesh. We've done the 40 Days for Life, my girls have walked with Crossroads Walk for Life. We've had horrible things shouted at us. The girls had trash thrown at them, foul words flung at them. And all they were doing was WALKING with Pro-life shirts on. That's why I can't decide if I was right to let it go or not. Should I have kept on, maybe in a gentler tone, or was I right to just let it go? I just can't make up my mind - so you know....it's like, a week later, and still niggling at me. Is this my own stubborn streak, or is the Holy Spirit nudging me to do something more? And ya know, if you ask a priest, you know what answer you will get, depending on which priest you ask. So where does that leave me? I have no idea. Praying. And teaching my kids that life is sacred...from conception to natural death. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI ended up leaving facebook all together after something very similar happened in response to a note I posted. It was absolutely the best decision. It is a great time waster. Haven't looked back! And, I have generally avoided internet fights with liberals - am much happier for it!