I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid I might throw a rock through my television screen before the ongoing Presidential race is settled more than a year from now.
The political discourse in our nation is full of partisanship. It is commonly charged that if you hold a particular view, you automatically are diametrically opposed to another precept that all hold dear. The partisanship is found on each end of the spectrum. A part of it is seen in the view that “our guy” can do no wrong, and if he is proven to have done so, he is to be excused; while “their guy” is obviously worthy of being horsewhipped at the slightest suspicion of wrongdoing.
I freely admit to being a social conservative. I believe my convictions regarding morality to be informed by the Bible, and make no apology for the ethic I uphold. As such, one such example of partisanship is bothersome to me. It is the claim that a desire to put a stop to abortion constitutes a war on women.
This is a false dichotomy. A dichotomy is defined as “a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.” In this case, the represented opposing “things” are an individual being both pro-life and pro-women. The idea that you can’t be both is simply not so!
That is not to say that there are not people out there who are misogynists. There are people who have unbiblical and inappropriate feelings toward women. Violence against women is a problem in our society, as it has been in the past. The idea that because men and women are different, in some way women are inferior is an outlandish and stupid view that reflects poorly upon the one who holds it. Paul (who some claim to be a misogynist) wrote in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This is an affirmation of the equality of each soul in the sight of God. God does not differentiate regarding the value of any person, regardless of gender.
It is offensive to state that because I believe an unborn child is a living soul worth saving and defending, I have feelings of animosity toward women. I do not wish to refuse any woman needed medical care. I do not desire for women to suffer any inequity. I want the best of medical care for my wife, and will fight diligently for her in every way possible.
What I also desire to be stopped is the wholesale killing of the unborn. I have long contended that the fetus is a living being, separate from its host, the mother. I believe the Bible informs that contention (cf. Luke 1:41,44), and I will not compromise in my defense of that unborn child.
The Planned Parenthood videos describe atrocities performed upon babies that have been killed. Let us never forget the greater crime that preceded the dismemberment and selling of the body parts of the unborn. It is the killing itself of those precious souls. Abortion is a crimson stain upon these United States, and speaking out against the offense is in no way waging war against women.
Partisanship is common, and the Christian should have no part in it. We should be measured in speech and in our reactions to the news of the day. But, we should never compromise in our stand against all ungodliness. Rest assured, God will stand in judgment against it: “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14-15).
