Disturbing Statistics

Today many of my friends have been remembering the Roe Vs. Wade decision by posting either positive or negative articles about abortion.  I generally try not to be political, so I skim over them or skip them all entirely.  I know the facts.  I know my position.  Why get involved in this divisive debate, right?

Well, one of the posts seemed so skewed and ridiculous that I decided to take the stand of my son's government class and fact check it.  I would then, quietly and privately, give him the correct information.  I mean, you shouldn't let friends post inflammatory propaganda, right?

So, I went to the www.census.gov web site to find the correct information to give him.  His statistics were right...  I am actually sick to my stomach for knowing this...

In the US every year 27% of all pregnancies end in abortion.  Sad, but not that surprising.  What I had never seen was the statistics broken down by race...  Only 21% of Caucasian pregnancies end in abortion compared to 63.9% of all African American pregnancies.  Well over 50% of African American pregnancies end in abortion???  505 out of every 1000 African American fetuses are terminated.

Now, I do not believe that the government should be allowed to dictate how a woman cares for her body or what she and her doctor thinks is medically best.  Although I myself could not ever see me getting an abortion, I do not believe in taking the right to choose away from other women.  But that being said, something in our society is really messed up here!

I don't believe, like my friend's rant states, that it is a nefarious plot of the racist head of Planned Parenthood.  I support planned parenthood for all the good they do for confused young people.  I am not going to change my political stance over this disturbing statistic, but I do wonder what should or could be done.

I don't have any answers today.  I don't know if this is somehow related to racism, or cultural differences, or a failure of our education system.  The best I can say is that we are somehow failing these women.  All I can think to do is pray, and deal compassionately with the women who come to me seeking council.  I do know that in our fallen and sinful society what we really need is the compassion and grace of our Lord, Jesus.  I know that Jesus loves these women and knows that they are hurting.

I know that this doesn't leave any of you satisfied.  My heart will hurt for quite a while over this.  But we can pray for a better tomorrow.  We can pray for all of the women, young and old, who are faced with this decision.  We can love, accept, and uphold all God's children, rather than judge them.  That is what we are called to do.

Peace...