a balance...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I agree that the best way to fight addiction, abortion, poverty, and the like is through the church. I once heard someone say that the church should serve as an emergency room, not as an art gallery as it has become in some places. I also find it kind of ironic that I've been in these conversations as of late where it seems like I'm defending abortion against pro-life supporters. I especially find that ironic when I'm getting ready to substitute teach a childbirth class for my wife who can't teach this week because she's in the Philippines serving in a charity-based maternity clinic for women who seriously cannot afford health care! I want to make it clear that I am not defending abortion!!! I despise the practice and am horrified at how common it is. I said before that I believe in a consistent life ethic all across the board. Does that mean I group a convicted murderer in the same class as an innocent, unborn child? Heck no! There are huge differences there, but I don't think anyone has the right to take another human being's life.

I guess what I am getting at is that, in my mind, as a Christian, I cannot boil all of my beliefs down to one issue that determines my candidate. However, I do understand that some topics such as abortion can be so close to someone's heart that it would indeed influence his or her entire opinion.

Anyway, back to my point. One common theme I've been discussing with a few people recently is that the care of the poor and sick should fall on the church and the private sector, not the government...Government programs are too large...we're moving towards a socialist government if we enact all of the government run programs that are being discussed.

I guess I could be completely wrong here, but can't the private sector and faith-based organizations work hand in hand with the government to make things happen? I would think that crisis pregnancy clinics and the like would be welcoming the 95-10 Initiative by the Democrats for Life when they say that "We believe that we must do more to reduce the abortion rate by helping and supporting pregnant women." Why can't churches get excited about the government coming in and throwing money and manpower towards its causes? I'm no fool, and I understand there is abuse in the system, but even flawed help is help in the end, right?

Sure, there are more controversial topics laced in with this initiative like providing contraception with a focus on the poor. I think we do need to provide contraception in some form or another. I know abstinence is the only real way to prevent unwanted pregnancies (out of wedlock), but that isn't happening as much as we might hope. Yes, in our churches and our sphere of influences we should be working with youth to show them God's plan for sex in marriage, but we also have to realize that not everyone hears that message and a good number of those that hear are not listening! We need to provide maternity group homes for at-risk women. We need to figure out this health care mess so financial worries are not a part of the decision whether or not to keep a baby. Adoption needs to be more affordable whether it's through more tax credits or however. Should abortion be illegal? Of course. But in a realistic, legal world, that's not going to happen for a long time regardless of who is elected.

We need to fight on two fronts here. One front has to be the spiritual side where we are in the trenches working one on one with those affected. The other side has to be support through which we as individuals and private groups don't have the power, resources, or reach to provide. For example, the 95-10 Initiative would require doctors to give accurate information to pregnant parents. Now, I realize many people would have a problem with their taxes going to contraception, but is it worth some financial sacrifice to save some unwanted pregnancies (be sure to understand I'm using contraception as an example and not the end-all to abortions!).

Obviously, what we need is balance between the extremes. Obama is not perfect. But in my mind, he's still the best choice with who we have to choose between. Maybe I'll start getting to some other thoughts on other issues pretty soon. Sarah's gone for 2.5 weeks, so I've got plenty of time on my hands in the evenings after the kids are in bed!

Anyway, like I've said before, I'm just getting my thoughts out and hammering down my convictions. I could be crazy and even dead wrong, but I feel pretty good about this right now. My point is not to change minds, but to engage other people in some good conversation which has certainly happened so far!