So You Say Your Pro-Life
I am sharing what I believe it means to be Pro-Life and how my position on the issue has changed. I've spent time researching, praying, and listening. I definitely land differently on this issue that I did a few years ago and still have so much to learn. What will your response be?
Here are just a few of the links and some of the information I came across while doing research:
In U.S. politics, the Hyde Amendment is a legislative provision barring the use of federal funds to pay for abortion except to save the life of the woman, or if the pregnancy arises from incest or rape.
I am in no way an advocate or support Planned Parenthood but when we speak of defunding Planned Parenthood we are literally referring to defunding the health services they offer to millions of low income people. If we are going to hold to that position then we must find ways to provide accessible healthcare services to the poor and help fund them. Again I am not a fan of Planned Parenthood but I know women who rely on them for actual healthcare services. The Source is an organization that provides services to women in low income areas. Please consider looking into ways you could support the work they are doing.
2017-2018 services offered by Planned Parenthood
4,960,598 STI Testing & Treatment
2,620,867 provisions of birth control information and services (Not Abortions)
614,361 cancer screenings and prevention procedures
520,710 breast exams and pap tests
345,672 Abortions performed
216,722 well-woman exams
2,831 adoption referrals
The Source exists to support, care for, and equip women by providing high-quality, whole-person health services.
Our vision is that every woman in Texas has access to comprehensive, life-affirming reproductive health and pregnancy care. We are compelled by the love of Jesus Christ to love our neighbors by providing excellent, accessible healthcare. The Source joyfully serves clients regardless of age, race, religion, creed, immigration status, or sexual orientation.
Approximately 862,320 abortions were performed in 2017
Some 75% of abortion patients in 2014 were poor (having an income below the federal poverty level of $15,730 for a family of two in 2014) or low-income (having an income of 100–199% of the federal poverty level)
White patients accounted for 39% of abortion procedures in 2014, black patients for 28%, Hispanic patients for 25%, and patients of other races and ethnicities for 9%
The Hyde Amendment currently bans the use of federal dollars for abortion coverage for people enrolled in Medicaid, the nation’s main public health insurance program for low-income individuals. Similar restrictions apply to other federal programs and operate to deny abortion care or coverage to people with disabilities, Native Americans, prison inmates, poor and low-income individuals in the District of Columbia, military personnel and federal employees.
Although the Hyde Amendment bars federal funds from being used to provide Medicaid coverage of abortion, states may use their own, nonfederal funds. Fifteen states have a policy requiring the state to provide abortion coverage under Medicaid.
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)
On any given day, over 437,000 children are living in the U.S. foster care system and the number has been rising. Over 125,000 of these children are eligible for adoption and they will wait, on average, four years for an adoptive family.
More than 69,000 youth in U.S. foster care live in institutions, group homes, and other environments, instead of with a family.Of the over 61,000 children and youth who were adopted in 2018:
51% were adopted by their foster parent(s) and 35% by a relative.
26% were age 9 years or older.
Of the families who adopted children from foster care, 68% were married couples, 25% single females, 3% single males, and 3% unmarried couples.
93% of the parents rely on adoption subsidies and/or vital post-adoption services to help meet the children's varied, and often costly, needs.
In 2018, 17,844 (7%) aged out of the U.S. foster care system, and a majority left without the emotional and financial support necessary to succeed in life that other children can receive within a family.
Without these vital supports, they will fare poorer as a group in postsecondary educational attainment, employment, housing stability, public assistance receipt and criminal justice system involvement.
70% of all youth in foster care have the desire to attend college, yet nearly 25% of youth aging out did not have a high school diploma or GED and only a mere 6% had finished a two- or four-year degree after aging out of foster care.
Tithers make up only 10-25 percent of a normal congregation.
Christians are giving at 2.5% of income; during the Great Depression it was 3.3%.
Only 5% tithe, and 80% of Americans only give 2% of their income.
3 out of 4 people who don’t go to church make donations to nonprofit organizations.
For families making $75k+, 1% of them gave at least 10% in tithing.
The average giving by adults who attend US Protestant churches is about $17 a week.
Not including your local church here are a few Houston area organizations for you to consider supporting:
For those outside the Houston area I encourage you to simply google search terms like with the name of your city or town:
Crisis Pregnancy Assistance, Family Crisis Assistance, Women’s Shelters, Healthcare Assistance, etc.
Entrusted Houston meets the needs of the foster and adopt community to promote restoration for kids, families, and front line workers in Jesus’ name.
Acknowledging that every human life begins at conception and is worthy of protection, Care Net offers compassion, hope, and help to anyone considering abortion by presenting them with realistic alternatives and Christ-centered support through our life-affirming network of pregnancy centers, churches, organizations, and individuals.
Sex trafficking is a wide-spread injustice, but Elijah Rising is committed to offering solutions that make a lasting impact.
Elijah Rising is ending sex trafficking through prayer, awareness, intervention, and restoration.
CAM provides emergency financial support, food, educational opportunities, and job readiness support for those who need it most.
The Landing exists to empower survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in the Houston area. By welcoming survivors into our drop-in center, providing them with an advocate, or reaching out to them on Bissonnet, our intention is to meet people where they are—wherever it may be—and support them throughout their journey.
Cy-Fair Helping Hands is an all volunteer organization. We have no paid employess. Our volunteer staff consists of over 50 regular volunteers who serve in various capacities. Each and every one of our volunteers are valued and we could not serve the homeless and hungry without them.
We are a Social Service non-profit serving the Katy/West Houston. We have Social Service Departments that offer emergency financial assistance, Food Pantry, a Crisis Center that houses the Domestic Abuse Center and the Sexual Assault Center, Resale Store, Donation Center.
The Mission of Yahweh offers many life-changing programs focused on ending the cycle of homelessness and dependency.
Star of Hope is a Christ-centered community dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless men, women and their children. Positive life changes are encouraged through structured programs which focus on spiritual growth, education, employment, life management and recovery from substance abuse.