Do not grow weary in fight for life, says speaker

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Jan. 18, 2007

Despite snow and frigid temperatures, about 230 people attended the Siouxland Pro-life Interfaith Prayer Memorial to mourn 34 years of legalized abortion in the United States. The service was held at Central Baptist Church in Sioux City on Jan. 14.

In welcoming comments, Tim Blanchard, pastor of Central Baptist, mentioned that there are many positive things happening such as a decrease in the number of abortions but at the same time he reminded them of the deaths that continue to occur through abortion.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City was introduced by Kelly Engelhardt of Central Baptist Church who was master of ceremonies for the service. In the opening prayer, the bishop thanked God for the love the creator has shown in giving people life as they strive to be holy.

"We beg forgiveness for all of our sins against life," prayed Bishop Nickless. "Give us your vision and help us to see more clearly that all life is sacred from the first moment of natural conception to the last moment of natural death."

The bishop asked God to help the people never tire of defending and promoting life.

After a musical number by the St. John Lutheran Bell Choir, Kim Lehman, executive director of Iowa Right to Life, delivered the keynote presentation.

She pointed out that the title of her talk was Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Well and the reason she chose that title was that they want to rush things along and see results but she keeps going "because I know that we are right. It seems like we are in a culture today that we are the bad guys."

Lehman's talk was centered on Scripture, 2 Timothy 2:25-26: "With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition and perhaps God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth so they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been captive by him to do his will."

While they must go to their opposition and speak the truth, she said they must do so with gentleness. Unfortunately, she said they (the opposition) have changed what the truth is.

"When I am in opposition to Planned Parenthood or whenever we stand outside of the abortion facilities and we are watching the girls going in as we pray for them, we recognize that we are in spiritual warfare. We are not in opposition to any person but to the principality - to the evil side," said Lehman. "What we try to recognize is that we love everyone, but they are in the snare of the devil."

She pointed out that Iowa Right to Life tries to work hand in hand with the other Right to Life groups. Lehman mentioned that one of their main functions is to serve as a lobby group. They have recently proposed the option of Choose Life license plates, have developed pro-life posters with 1-800 numbers to direct pregnant youth to pregnancy centers rather than abortion clinics, sponsored a book sale with proceeds to go to crisis pregnancy centers and funded billboards. The organization is presently planning a campaign to tour Iowa, presenting public forums that center on the pro-life message.

Lehman raised the question as to how this country got to the point when killing babies through abortion was a right. She then presented a historical overview of contraception and abortion in this country.

One law that dated back to 1873 forbade the mailing of obscene material. Among other items, this law made it illegal to mail contraceptives and information about contraception or for unlawful abortion.

"I think it is important to recognize that there was no mailing of pornography. I didn't realize the connection between abortion and pornography until I got into this work," said Lehman.

She pointed out that attitudes towards children, marriage and contraception have changed since that time.

"The spirit of contraception is the spirit of unchastity," she said.

Lehman also presented some quotes from Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood. In 1922, Sanger said, "Our objective is unlimited sexual gratification without the burden of unwanted children." Another quote, "The most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."

Prior to 1930, she noted, all Christian churches in this country agreed that contraceptives were evil. In 1930, the first Christian church approved use of contraceptives for married couples and only for serious reasons.

The FDA approved the pill in 1960. In 1965, using the privacy argument, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Connecticut law that prohibited birth control for married couples violated one's right to privacy.

In 1968, Humanae Vitae was published by Pope Paul VI, confirming the Catholic Church's ban on contraception.

Unmarried couples were allowed the right to use contraceptives in 1972.

"One year later, we had Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton - using the privacy clause. They struck down all abortion laws in one sweep, permitting abortion for any reason in all stages of development," said Lehman.

While some promote the use of contraceptives as a means to decrease the number of abortions, the pro-life speaker said that doesn't happen. She pointed out that statistics show that 54 percent of all abortions are due to failed contraception. Eight percent of abortions are by non-contraceptive users.

"It's the spirit of unchastity," she stressed.

Lehman said that while she favors abstinence education, she would prefer to teach marriage education and tying it into abstaining until marriage.

Christians, she noted, are trying to solve the problem of abortion, "but it goes deeper."

The attitudes of the people have changed today, she noted, pointing out that American people have bought into the small family - two children - concept.

"The only reason why America today is not at a negative birthrate is because of illegal immigration," she said. "God said be fruitful and multiply. I think that is something we need to look at."

She said abortion wasn't necessarily the problem they needed to look at, it was the fruit of the problem.

"We need to come back to the root of where God started us - that is marriage, children, selflessness," said Lehman.

The memorial service included the Presentation of Roses where young people from one to 34 years old carried roses to the front of the church. During the procession, Larry Walsh, a member of the memorial planning committee, recited Scripture verses and quotations from church leaders, politicians and the nation's forefathers.

Jason Geary, a Sioux City Councilman, offered the closing prayer.

Originally the flowers were to be laid upon the Tomb of the Unborn Child at Trinity Heights where they would wither and die in the harshness of winter, symbolizing the children that die through abortion. However, due to inclement weather, that portion of the program was delayed.

Deacon Bill Berger, who was to lead a short reflection at Trinity Heights, offered a few closing comments as the service drew to a close. He extended thanks to the organizers of the prayer memorial, to those who attended and to the Knights of Columbus for providing an honor guard.

The deacon encouraged people to draw strength from God's word.