Focusing on Women

Read another preview from The Jericho Plan book,
then get a free copy to share with your pastor.

This is Coerced Abortion Awareness Week (April 15-22, 2012). You can still participate and "light one candle" of hope and illumination in your church, versus those who are tempted to curse the darkness!

We are sharing another book preview ("Focusing on Women") below and a reminder to join this simple outreach. You can be sure that individuals and families in your own church are at risk of unwanted or coerced abortions or already experiencing post-abortion heartbreak, whether the abortion happened weeks or years ago. This can include trauma and suicide risk.

These risks of coercion, abuse or post-abortion issues affect many of all ages and from all walks of life, but our youth may be especially vulnerable. Your involvement in this simple project can save lives, hearts and souls before or after abortion.

Just sign up to get a free book for your pastor that will help him to look at this issue in a new way and encourage him to teach and preach about it from a unifying and life-saving perspective. You'll also receive supporting materials and project ideas to use this week or anytime, if you wish.

Here is another excerpt from The Jericho Plan: Breaking Down the Walls Which Prevent Post-Abortion Healing by Elliot Institute Director, Dr. David C. Reardon.

Focusing on Women

The traditional framing of the abortion debate is based on the view that the rights of the unborn child are in conflict with the rights of the pregnant woman.  But in fact, the rights of the mother and the rights of her unborn child are not in conflict--and in upholding the rights of both, we can create a society that is both pro-woman and pro-life.

In at least a few cases, the traditional adversarial position has led some pro-lifers to focus almost exclusively on the rights of the unborn child. A few even believe any effort to focus public attention on the physical and emotional consequences of abortion on women undercuts the moral high ground of opposing abortion simply because all human life is sacred.

Unfortunately, there are more than a few anti-abortionists who have very little sympathy for women who suffer problems after abortion. There are also many--including those in positions of authority or influence--who overlook abuses, such as unwanted or even forced abortions and negligent, coercive or unsafe medical and professional practices, which exploit and endanger vulnerable women and families. Some of the more extreme activists and advocates have even expressed disdain for women injured by abortion with comments such as, “They deserve what they get.”

Less punitive pro-lifers may believe that somehow, with just a better education program, or a more articulate argument, we will be able to awaken America to the moral superiority of our position. To advance this moral argument, evidence of fetal development is relevant but evidence of exploitation or physical and psychological harm to women is not.

As this chapter will show, the pro-woman approach is not only consistent with the pro-life moral imperative, it is in fact a fuller and more complete expression of it.

Read more

Light One Candle

If you haven't already, join this outreach. You can simply share the free book and cover letter with your pastor, or do other very simple but important projects. You'll receive other materials to share, if you wish, during Coerced Abortion Awareness Week -- or anytime -- plus easy project and outreach ideas that individuals or groups can do.

If you can, please donate to support our work. For donations of $20 or more, you'll receive two hard-cover copies of The Jericho Plan to share with pastors, church libraries or elsewhere.

Thank you and may God bless your willingness to "light one candle!" Remember to post about your participation, ideas and experiences on our blog!