There are a few things that trigger rage in me. I don’t typically express outward fury, but this feeling makes my blood boil. I am passionately pro-life, and the deception that masks the truth about our human dignity, our obligation to each other, and the intentional twisting of words that attempt to make abortion a comfortable solution in our society is discouraging to me, at the very least. The temperature ramps up on this topic as election time peaks. The evil one has co-opted the most precious godly gift and has tempted many well-meaning individuals to surrender human dignity for earthly causes.
My top three abortion trigger moments this past year include viewing a sidewalk chalking phrase at the local abortion clinic, a billboard sign on a major highway in Duluth, and online posts by local past pro-lifers who have bought into the rhetoric dished out but the abortion industry. I shouldn’t get upset, but many good people are misled by words that twist, redirect, and misinform. Much of the fighting that robs humans of dignity happens with words, and the evil one masterfully pulls at our heartstrings, which diminishes logic and science. The demonic has even tempted our abundant culture to appear like abortion is a responsible decision.
I observed the words “God Bless Abortion” written in large and colorful letters on the cement pavement outside the door of the abortion clinic during the annual 40 Days for Life campaign. Abortion employees chalk statements to thwart the prayers of the pro-lifers during the campaign. For years, the employees have written the typical talking points, but when I read “God Bless Abortion,” it triggered a maddening response from me. Human life is a gift; the mere mention that anyone would invoke a request from God to bless the termination, through violent means, of one of God’s newest creations is outrageous. The statement is so antithetical to life that it leaves me speechless.
On a prominent Northland highway, a billboard advertised the local abortion clinic. The message suggested the clinic offers “abortion care.” How is someone supposed to interpret the words “abortion care”? The sign did not say women’s care or health care, it said they offered abortion care. Did they mean while they are terminating your child, they are going to be careful? Or did they mean care will be administered to the little one as they abort that child’s short life? I will not accept that “abortion care” is possible. Care cannot be administered when life is intentionally ended. I drove by the billboard frequently, and the message always upset me.
My third major trigger is when individuals I know, who were raised to know better, go public on social media, parroting the talking points of the pro-abortion movement. There are many misleading one-liners in the abortion advocacy business. Probably the one that gets my goat the most is when past pro-lifers make claims pro-lifers are pro-birth only. This birth-only statement deceives people, especially mothers, to think that pro-lifers only care that the baby is born and then they are done caring. This lie is incomprehensible and far from reality.
I have the privilege of repeatedly observing the sacrificial giving of countless pro-life organizations that work tirelessly to support women, babies, and participating fathers. As a matter of fact, more than 50 organizations in the Northland work to accomplish the goal of helping mothers in need until they are stable. In contrast, most of these organizations get little or no government assistance. Volunteers run these organizations and make themselves available around the clock. Some foundations help single mothers get an education, some Catholic colleges make arrangements for single moms to live on campus, and maternity homes educate pre- and post-pregnancy moms until they are steady and can support themselves.
Before the babies are born and after, there are 12 crisis pregnancy centers in our dioceses that rally to support moms and babies. These centers provide education, encourage healthy living, and provide baby supplies, clothing, and ongoing mentoring. We have two maternity homes that go to great lengths to help a mom before and after birth till they are stable and prepared to live independently. We have support groups that provide ongoing emotional support and food. There is emergency foster care that helps the child when not all is going right at home. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Minnesota Catholic Conference advocate government policies that support moms and families in need on both sides of the aisle.
More precious than that are those pro-lifers who independently have offered space in their homes, paid moms’ housing down payments, donated food, clothing, baby toys, childcare, cars, and so much more. When pro-life people know a mom is in need, they move into action like no other movement. Recently, an abortion-minded mom scheduled for an abortion, feeling she could not handle another child without a dad. Initially, she thought it would be easier to abort her children than to release them to someone else to raise. A call was sent out on social media, and in one hour, the number of couples willing to adopt was so numerous that the mother decided to have her child. The decision to keep or release her child is still under consideration.
The openness of pro-life parents to love a child not born to them is immense. In the past month, two dear friends lost their sons due to natural causes. One friend lost their 28-year-old, and the other lost their three-year-old. Both boys were unique souls, yet they both share a significant similarity. With today’s pathetic life standards, these boys would be considered “abortable.” My one friend’s son was literally saved by his adoptive parents 28 years ago before his birth mom’s scheduled abortion, and the other was born with significant health issues.
These generous parents upheld the culturally inconvenient truth that all persons are imperfect, so dignity is merited not by ability or life conditions but by the mere fact that they are the offspring of our Creator. These two beautiful souls bestowed upon their parents, families, and friends the endearing act of being the object of their unconditional genuine love, a gift of immense, incalculable value. When all is accounted for in this world, loving another is the most profound, significant purpose, and these two boys’ lives were those for others. These pro-life parents were not setting out to adopt a child. They were merely showing the dignity deserved by every human, and as God’s design goes, all those who knew them benefited from the lives of these boys, and as such, the world is better because of them.
I don’t know about the appropriateness of my triggers, but I do know that Christ had his moments of outrage. I do know that people are being misled and misinformed. I am convinced unborn babies’ lives have been ended because of word trickery, and that is outrageous and sinful. The further our culture pulls away from our Creator, the more willing our society will be to accept the temptations of the evil one. As pro-lifers, we must ignore the rhetoric, continue to work tirelessly without recognition, and be willing to make abortion unimaginable for women even if our society never bans this evil act.
Betsy Kneepkens is director of the Office of Marriage, Family, and Life for the Diocese of Duluth and a mother of six.