Adoption Frustration 2

Warning: this post may be offensive to some. You’ve been warned.

I’ve had a lot of back and forth over the last month or so, mostly on Facebook, on the subjects of abortion and adoptions – two very sensitive subjects with strong opinions and emotions on each side.

Many people say, “they’re not mutually exclusive.” While there is some truth to that statement, I, respectfully, believe those people are missing the point. I can only share from personal experience, and do not wish to create stereotypes, but that’s probably what I’ll end up doing anyway.

Let’s clear up a few points that all Christians SHOULD be able to agree on.

  1. Life begins at conception (David speaks of God knowing him in the womb and being fearfully and wonderfully made)
  2. Terminating a life, no matter what stage that life may be in, is murder. This includes embryos, fetuses, etc. etc.
  3. If we follow the logical points of #’s 1 and 2, abortion is murder. Period.

If we can’t agree on those 3, feel free to stop reading now.

I find it disconcerting within the past couple years or so, this heavy push, especially in the church regarding adoption.

TO BE CLEAR: I have no problems with adoption and I think it is an admirable, noble thing – FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED.

Here is where I believe the church in general misses the point. Not all are called to adoption. Sorry. Scripture doesn’t back up anything less than this. Yes, God has a heart for the fatherless. Yes, He brought us into His family. Yes, He wants us to reach out and care for others, but we are not all called to adopt.

I would also argue that not all are called to support adoption. I often times see people say something to the following effect, “We need to raise X amount of dollars for so and so’s adoption. Remember, you need to live out James 1:27 and practice real religion.”

I’m paraphrasing, but you get the gist.

I’m fairly certain Jesus wouldn’t want us to twist people’s arms with Scripture in order to get them to support adoption, whether adopting themselves or supporting someone who does.

For reference, let’s take a look at the Amplified Bible’s translation of James 1:27

External [e]religious worship [[f]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

Ahh…external religious worship. I think that is a great point of clarification. It’s a way to reach out to others, but, I feel, sometimes the church gives the impression that if you don’t give or adopt your somehow not exercising your faith properly.

And there’s the whole last part of the verse – “and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.” How many times have you heard that part of James 1:27 brought? My guess would be not much.

I know this sounds critical of those who adopt. That is not my purpose. My purpose in writing is to shed light on the matter as I see it and remind us all that we need to do everything in moderation.

Abortion is an issue I feel strongly about. And here’s where it’s different than adoption. It’s something as Christians we are all called to oppose. Where’s my Scriptural evidence to support that claim? Go back and read the 10 Commandments where it mentions not murdering. End of story.

Many people say, “we can’t handle the increase in babies that would come from outlawing abortion.” I say that’s a pretty weak excuse. Often times these people champion the cause of adoption. Guess what? If there are less abortions, there will, logically, be more chances to adopt.

I feel like abortion gets approached in the following way. Many people seem to think that it will always be an issue, so why bother?

Which explains how we get a man in the office of President who seems to care very little for the unborn.

We need to vote. We need to get the word out. We need to not shut up until something changes.

And while we’re doing that, continue to adopt, continue to foster, continue to support, but don’t guilt others into doing that.

Another big pet peeve is when people complain about how hard it is after they’ve adopted X number of children. Well guess what? You chose to do that. There are thousands of couples who would love to have 1 child of their own, just 1. I can speak from experience saying that it angers those people greatly when others are not thankful for the little bundles of joy they get the honor of parenting.

I guess I’ve gone on long enough. What are your thoughts?

2 thoughts on “Adoption Frustration

  1. Reply D Trout Oct 5,2010 2:25 am

    Am I correct then in assuming then that you are a pacifist? Is war always wrong? Is there no such thing as a justifiable war? According to premises 1 and 2 there is no justifiable reason to kill someone. Which I would have to disagree with. Understand me here, I am against abortion, but I am not against war and self-defense. I realize that there is a great difference between killing someone in a war and killing an unborn baby, but I am curious how you reconcile war with your premises 1 and 2. Let me say here that while number 2 is correct, I think some murder is justifiable, and in a few select abortion cases it may be justifiable (rape, incest, and danger to the mother’s life are the only three that come to mind, and still I do not think that those are light choice. They are choices that must be made in prayerful consideration and and to be honest I am not sure where I stand on such FEW select cases…)

    I didn’t mean to get off on another tangent about war and I apologize. However, from your 1 and 2 premises and the implication throughout the rest of the blog I am wondering where you stand on such an issue…

    • Reply jediwebgeek Oct 5,2010 2:54 am

      Good points. I believe in just war and the death penalty.

      My focus was on abortion. I don’t believe it’s ever right, regardless of circumstances. That’s my take.

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