Twenty-first Century Holocaust

Holocaust. [hol-uh-kawst] -noun
1. a great or complete devastation, especially by fire.
2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
3. (usually initial capital letter) the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. (usually preceded by "the")
4. Any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.

Some of you might have already guessed this, but yes, I'm referring to the abortion holocaust that goes on today all over the world. And yes, I realize that "holocaust" is a powerful word to describe what many people view as a "medical procedure." Everyone knows what The Holocaust was, we learn about it in school, we read about it and even hear a few first hand accounts of how damaging it was- to families, to its victims, to the entire world. I remember in the middle of my freshman year, we were reading "Night" by Elie Wiesel and for an in-class assignment we had to look at pictures of holocaust victims online. It was horrifying. Similarly, I've looked at photographs of abortion victims on standtrue.com (go there- click "Educate Yourself"- click the "Abortion" link under "The Issues"- scroll down and click "Pictures of Aborted Babies.") and been totally shocked. They're babies. Premature and tiny, but babies nonetheless. Babies that have been pulled from the womb or drowned or chemically murdered.

It seems to me that the biggest debate relating to abortion is the exact moment that human life begins. The most convincing proof that I've seen that supports the idea that life begins at conception is this:

Psalm 51:5 "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me."

This psalmist states that he was conceived in sin. Think about that for a second. Sin. Does sin affect your physical body? No, it hurts your soul. Therefore, since the psalmist, and all of us for that matter, were sinful from the moment of conception, we must have had a soul from the moment of conception. From a biblical standpoint (and in my opinion, that's the truest standpoint there is) abortion is murder. I think everyone will agree that murder is wrong, yes?

Well, it's happening in unfathomable amounts. 4,000 babies a day are aborted. Murdered. 50 MILLION have been killed in the United States since the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973. Can you picture 50 million people? I have trouble imagining any amount above 25 thousand (because that's how many there were in the superdome during the NYG). Anyway, I firmly believe those 50 million aborted human beings are now with Jesus in heaven. Which is certainly a better place to be, but it's devastating to think of the lives they could have led here on Earth, the people they could have touched, and the ideas they could have contributed to society. COULD HAVE, but never will.

Now, you might still disagree with me. If you choose to discredit the bible, which is definitely a popular standpoint, then talk to women who have had abortions. Many women have reported having terrible nightmares about their unborn children crying out to them. The psychological effects are extensive and unsettling. Some polls show that 19% of the women surveyed regretted their decision, other polls came up with results as high as 50% who wish they had chosen to have their baby.
Post-abortion syndrome is an untreatable, often long-term condition that many women suffer from after having an abortion. While they do feel relieved immediately after, feelings of guilt and loneliness often surface on the anniversary of an abortion or during any kind of counseling. There are many symptoms of PAS, including: desire to "replace the baby", eating disorders, shame, substance abuse, bitterness, unexplained depression, removal from anything that would remind the woman of her abortion, broken relationships, nightmares, resentment, and suicide.
Many doctors would tell you that PAS does not exist or is extremely rare, but they usually conduct their studies soon after the abortion takes place, before the negative feelings begin.

Okay. I'm not a doctor, and if you don't believe me, by all means research it yourself. Some sites that have been helpful to me:
About the effects abortion has on women-
http://www.realchoicespcc.org/pastness.html
http://www.abortionfacts.com/reardon/after_effects_of_abortion.asp

Some statistics and information on Pro-life Silent Day of Solidarity-
http://silentday.org/
http://standtrue.com/ ("Educate Yourself" has some very good answers for skeptics and anyone wanting to learn more)

By reading what I've written up until this point, you have a choice: Reconcile this sinful behavior and make excuses, or take a stand for life. There is forgiveness to be found in Jesus, and we should certainly be reaching out to these women who are broken and hurting, but we cannot let this sin continue to plague our nation and our world. You are no longer ignorant, now please don't choose to be apathetic. Write letters to thank politicians who are fighting to stop abortion or write to them sharing your views on why they should start working to end abortion, participate in national events such as Pro-Life day of Silent Solidarity or 40 Days for Life, or simply know what you believe and be willing to speak up and defend the lives of unborn children who can't speak for themselves.

Please know that this post isn't meant to accuse or blame, but to inform and defend. Thank you.


Psalm 22:9-10
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

Jeremiah 1:4-5
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations"