He lives just inside the entrance to our subdivision, a few houses down on the right. Near the curb he’s laid out a small grid of white crosses, every one of them no bigger than the babies they represent. Just beyond them is a dark blue campaign sign.
It’s wrong to assume so I should probably knock on my neighbor’s door and kindly ask.
What have you personally done to save the life of an unborn child?
Since abortion is an issue of such importance to my neighbor that it merits a front yard memorial, then I’m hopeful he’d have a very good answer – maybe even an inspiring list to share with me.
He could tell me about how his wife volunteers at the crisis pregnancy center. He could tell me about how he simplified his life to carve out enough cash in a year to buy a sonogram machine for the center. He could tell me about the girl he’s adopting. He could tell me all this and more.
Or maybe he’s just pulling a lever for the presidential candidate he thinks will pull the lever for the Supreme Court justice he thinks might change abortion laws.
Maybe I should ask him. Somebody should.
What would you say if he answered “yes” to all those questions? (Even though they aren’t all yes or no questions, but you get the picture.)
I think a picture must be posted of this yard. That’s something.
While I don’t find the front yard memorial very effective; I think that we too easily forget that the memorial isn’t just a memorial.
It is a form of free speech. And while I might find it ineffective personally. By building this memorial; your neighbor has made a statement. He’s contending for life. Which is more than most people can claim to have done.
Could your neightbor do more for his cause? Surely. Could he do less? surely.
Do it.
I have zero patience for militant pro-lifers who do nothing to help children who are already here, and who vote for politicians who make it even harder for poor single moms to raise their children.
To clarify…
Scott, I never said the display was ineffective.
Texas in Africa, I never said this person was a militant pro-lifer.
Very true. And while you’re asking questions you might also those clambering for hope and change, “where’s the justice, social and otherwise, for the unborn least-of-these innocents of our society?”
Just saying…it goes both ways.
Seth asks a good question.
z
I don’t understand, b.davy.
A memorial won’t save a baby’s life, but there is value to caring enough to get involved in the political process and educating yourself to make informed decisions about what kind of person is in office. There is some value to supporting and casting a vote for a person who has the power to effect change on a large scale.
I agree that those are worthwhile questions to ask the neighbor. Is he just putting on a show, trying to look righteous, or is he also working with the practical avenues available to him to effect change? That’s very valid.
I also have a lot of friends who talk a lot about social justice as one of their primary reasons to support Mr. “Hope and Change”. I’m all for social justice, but isn’t their a fundamental inconsistency in it legitimate social justice when you consistently side with the “rights of the mother” over the rights of the unborn? Isn’t their something a bit schizophrenic there?
We need to ask both what are you doing for mothers of the unborn to help them (or what aren’t you doing?) but also ask the other side what are you doing to unborn babes? And which Kingdom are you working for when you are doing/not these things? And in which Kingdom do you have your hope? And is neighbor dude even part of the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of man consistently fails us and is mostly rotten through on both side. There are a lot of lazy pro-lifer advocates (how deep does their commitment really go?) and there are a lot of lazy social justice advocates. Are the same tough questions being asked of the loud voices for social justice? You can always find loudmouths in both camps. I’m asking myself these questions all the time.
Does that make more sense?
Yep. I understand your viewpoint now. Thanks.
Do you have any sort of relationship with this neighbor? I could see myself bringing it up in the context of a friendly conversation. But I can’t imagine myself going up to the house of someone I don’t know and point blank asking a question like that without it coming across as sounding like I am being self-righteous.
First, we should ask ourselves….what am I doing?
Nancy, I don’t know this family. I know people who know this family and I seriously bet they do more about what they believe than put a display of belief in their yard.
I betcha I could talk to them without coming across self-righteous. I woulnd’t come at it in an accusatory way at all. I’d probably start by saying I noticed the display (because, really, how can’t you?) and I was wondering what motivated them to put it out. And then, I think it would be natural and honest to applaud them caring so much about the issue of abortion and ask what else they think could be done about it. No doubt some of that answer would have to do with presidents, justices, etc, but I think at that point it’s simple enough to say, “If the government refuses to do something about this issue, do you figure everyday people like you and I could do something about it?” Where I’d try to take that conversation is toward what he HAS already bee doing about it. And again, I bet he’s done something about it. I’m just not cynical enough to think a guy goes through all the trouble of putting that kind of display together and doesn’t do anything else about the issue. Surely not.
Seth, if he said “yes” -if he said he was already doing something about abortion on his own I’d compliment the peewaddlin’ out of him and probably devote a week’s blog posts to his efforts. Seriously, I’d be impressed and brag on him as much as I could publicly just as I’ve done here in the past when I’ve met folks and visited churches who impress me with their generosity and selfless innovations.
haha-you said “peewaddlin”
okay, in order to not make this a pointless comment……
I think too often we judge people by their acts. We begin trying to figure out what they are thinking and their motives. We tend to expect the worse until they prove themselves other wise.
Are they sitting in the pew for entertainment? Are they posting a blog on Blog Action Day to gain posts? (I actually read a few Blog Action Day-hater’s posts about just that) Are they trying to spread the news about the poor to act holier than thou? Are they (as a band) joining in efforts with organizations to reap benefits?
Now, I can’t say that the thoughts never come to mind. I imagine there are times that I have questioned the motives of people with the most sincere hearts.
But I feel that our energy can’t be focused on such things. We can’t ask if the poor are REALLY poor before lending a hand. We can’t say an entire church is going to worship for the wrong reason when they attend a congregation of instrumental music for entertainment. We can’t say that I won’t listen to his music because he only does what he does to gain benefits.
I say “can’t” but sadly….. we can and we do.
I really enjoyed reading your post though. It made me stop and think of how I would have responded to a memorial/display of belief and I had to laugh at the jump offs that people took. To even go to call someone a “militant pro-lifer” that knows nothing about this man or his family.
I think that it would make for a very interesting conversation. Clearly he wants his voice to be heard and he feels that this is one of his ways. I’m sure he would love to talk about it!
There could be many reasons why this neighbor took the time to place a tiny cross for unborn children. It’s easy to jump to conclusions. That’s why they call it “prejudice.”
I think we all have certain causes that we are passionate about for various reasons and just because we differ on what they may be doesn’t mean we’re ‘militants.’
I found that comment to be in poor taste to say the least. Christ didn’t say that the unborn were more important than the poor among us or vice versa. Murdering unborn babies is just as much a sin as neglecting the poor, wherever they may be. One cause doesn’t trump the other.
Beth
Love the comment Beth. I couldn’t agree more.
What I find more questionable than a man putting a sign and crosses in his yard, is a woman of faith who sputters out names and attacks about someone she doesn’t know and we are the ones who are suppose to be sharing the love of Jesus with others. Scary.
Unless perhaps, I misread or misunderstood the comment entirely.
At least he’s doing something. The truth of the matter is that one candidate for president has no problems with unborn babies being killed. The other candidate, as far as I can tell, will fight to put an end to abortion.
This video is horrifying:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo
Why is it that killing an unborn baby can be considered murder by the courts if the child is WANTED, but it’s perfectly legal to kill a baby if it’s your own child and you want it dead? They can’t have it both ways. During the Scott Peterson trial, I wondered why people were so horrified that Scott killed his unborn baby along with his wife. Many of the same people who mourned for that baby boy cheer on other moms to do that very thing.
Sure, Jesus would have demonstrated love to ALL people, even murderers. But I can’t imagine that he would expect us to stand idly by and let a man be elected president when almost everything that man stands for is in opposition to God’s teachings. Get out and vote, you guys!!!
Abbie…who are you referring to in the comment above? Maybe I missed something in the previous comments?
Apologies to anyone who felt I was attacking anyone or name calling. I was stating my opinion on the “militant” comment only; not the one who made the comment.
One of the many limitations of cyber-communications is that we do not have the benefit of tone of voice and body language of the speaker.
I was only trying to say that sin is sin. The reasons we have for supporting or being passionate about different areas doesn’t make any of us more right or wrong than another. I also don’t think that because I support cause “A”, that I think cause “B” isn’t equally important. I know I couldn’t choose between abortion and the poor, or any other of the world’s problems, and I don’t think Christ wants us too. As Christians, we should do whatever God lays on our hearts to do in whatever areas He calls us.
Again, sorry for any misunderstanding. It was not my intent to cause any harm or to offend anyone.
Beth
No, no, no-Beth I wasn’t referring to you or your comment. I was referring to the quick attack of the man with the crosses being called a militant.
I agreed with your statement.
I know, Beth…I’ve had people misinterpret my posts for exactly the same reason you mentioned.
As far as thinking abortion is more important than helping the poor, though, or vice versa…there is no reason why one political party can’t fight against abortion while helping the poor. I think that the party that is pro-abortion also exploits the poor. There are abortion clinics out there that actually target African-American women in poor urban areas. I think that would be considered genocide. It seems to me that the party that wants to “spread the wealth around” has historically done everything they can to keep minorities on welfare. And somehow they still get their votes. Sorry to get off the subject and ramble, but it’s late and I’m on cold medication.
Goodnight, you guys!
I was hoping this would happen: SPecifically, I was hoping someone would out themselves in the comments as being for McCain because he and they are pro life. Susanne did just that.
I wanted this to happen so I could ask someone besides my neighbor the question at the center of this post. So here goes, in a slightly different way. Susanne, if Barak Obama is elected president in November, what will you, a pro life McCain supporter, personally do about the issue of abortion for the next four years?
(This is not asked assuming you’ll do much, little, or nothing.)
Good question, Shaun. With a Democratic president and Democratic Congress, there wouldn’t be anything any of us could do about changing the laws concerning abortion. The best I could do is to follow through with my plan to start helping out at the Pregnancy Resource Center (I currently have no childcare for my preschooler, but that will change soon when he goes to preschool). There are many women out there who get abortions because they are desperate and don’t think they have any other options. If they knew how much help a place like the PRC could give them, I believe many of them would make a different choice. Other than that, the only thing I know of to do is to pray for God to change the hearts and minds of the people in this country. Our country is hurting and needs a wake-up call. I think we’re about to get it.
I hope you’ll answer this question for us too. I’d love to hear your ideas.
Good answer, Susanne.
We’ll keep giving financially to folks who are adopting, helping out and giving to our local food pantry (some folks have abortions because they can’t feed the family they already have) and one of our neighbors is planing to move this year so Becky and I are looking into buying their house and “renting” it out to folks who truly need it. Some of them would no doubt be young women who decide to keep their baby but need financial help to do that. We’re thinking through partnering with a crisis pregnancy center, our local food pantry and our church to find folks who need more affordable housing short term. But at the moment it’s just possibilities. We’ll see what the house sells for, how my finances look then, etc.
Shaun, wasn’t meaning to sound “gotcha” in my question. I honestly don’t know what I’d say if the fellow down your street were to answer “yup” to all those questions. As far as his location, it sounds a little like he’s preaching to the choir, but I don’t know.
I would probably ask something unrelated like, if he was concerned about scaring all the trick-or-treaters in the next few weeks? But I’m a simple man and I get more into the simple day to day fun-neighborly joys than I do about stuff like that. They seem to do more good in the long run anyways. Again, that’s just me. I suppose its a free country and a man is free to put whatever he wants in his yard that isn’t obscene or law-breaking but… whatever happened to good old yard deer?
At least he is passionate, and hopefully he is as passionate about showing as he is about telling.
Shaun, what a great idea with the rental house. I’ll pray that God will lead you guys to make the right decision. With the housing crisis like it is, I’m sure there would be no shortage of families that you could help.
Seth – your yard deer comment gave me flashbacks to my drives through the country when I was growing up in the Deep South. I never understood the appeal of fake creatures in one’s yard. The pink flamingos are the best though. Too funny.
Shaun:
While your post is somewhat humorous. I think that your neighbor is probably trying to put action to his convictions. If that means all he does is vote for John McCain because he knows his pro-life voting record- that is probably more than a lot of christians are willing to do in this election. I wonder what the goal of your post is? Is it to bring glory to God or put down your neighbor.
God cares about his children obeying him and he says, “before you were born I knew you.” I think all is joking of Christians is not helping to take serious the implications of this election in the United States. Barack Obama has said that his first order of business will be to pass the Freedom of Choice Act that takes away the rights of States to restrict abortions and demand parental consent. http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-is-freedom-of-choice-act.html#links
Thanks for listening to my ranting…I have a sign in my yard that says “Pray to End Abortion” and right now that is all I do. I pray. I pray for the babies. I pray for the mothers. I pray that they will have all they need to make a decision that will not leave scars on their hearts and that the Lord will bring people in their lives to support them. One day maybe the Lord will call me to be one of those people. And before you judge me- right now I feel like my call is to serve my family and keep my heart open to the calling of the Spirit and to pray. God is much more equipt to help women than your neighbor, John McCain or myself; and I trust that he is hearing my prayers and acting. Praise be to God.
Megan, there’s no joking at all in this post. Nor is there judging. It’s a completely serious question I’m asking and, as I’ve said already in the post, I suspect this man is doing more about abortion than putting white crosses in his yard.
Shaun:
Your post also says:
“Or maybe he’s just pulling a lever for the presidential candidate he thinks will pull the lever for the Supreme Court justice he thinks might change abortion laws.”
I guess my questions for you are
Why did you write this post?
How do you want people to react?
What message are you trying to send?
I think what your neighbor did is commendable. Maybe, it is their only what to show their support for the cause. They might not have any other means to do this. We should at least thank them for their concern whatever their motives are.
First, let me say that we as Christians need to get out of the Judgment game. It is not our place to judge the motives of others. That is God’s purview. All we can do is look at their actions and judge based on the fruit we see in their lives.
Now to answer Shaun’s Question, since I am also staunchly Pro-Life and have always been, and I support McCain Palin.
“if Barak Obama is elected president in November, what will you, a pro life McCain supporter, personally do about the issue of abortion for the next four years?
(This is not asked assuming you’ll do much, little, or nothing.) “
I’ve always said, that the way to change the country’s stance on abortion begins with us, not the white house. The only thing the President has control over is Judicial Appointments, and possible vetos of legislation. All Legislation has to pass Congress first, and I believe we can change Congress a Lot easier then a president.
That having been said, what can we do? First off all reach out to struggling families of all sorts. We’ve begun to give away Stephen’s good, but outgrown clothing in an effort to help those in town who have so little. There are many other things we can do as well, donating to the food bank is just one.
The other thing we need to do is realize that we will not win the war against Abortion, until we persuade the people to change their minds. To do that, we must reach out and spread the Gospel. We must Evangelize those around us and bring them around to God’s thinking on this matter, and we must do so using scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Now, what am I doing right now? I’m working to get out the word on issues like this to put Godly men in office, like John McCain, and Dan Greear who will govern with an eye to the things God says is right. Abortion is not an issue that is going to go away with a Mccain presidency. Even if he is electing, we must strive to educate, to reach the lost and to draw the people around us to God. Only then can we see this abomination torn down in our land.
I love this post and all the conversation it’s sparking. Honestly I ask myself those same questions…regardless of who is in the White House, what am I doing for the causes that I care so deeply about? And how deeply do I actually care if I’m not voting with my life everyday for the kingdom of God? How I spend my time and money, what I do with my leisure, who I associate with and don’t associate with and the places I go…we all have the opportunity every single day to vote for the kingdom way. Do we? Maybe we should care more about that than who we’ll vote for on November 4.
As far as who to vote for, yeah, it’s tough when you vote on the real issues to choose between candidates that each carry a thread or two of my ideology. I completely agree with Veretax that our congressional leaders hold much more power to change the laws than our President, but even with that do we really accomplish kingdom of God activities through kingdom of man means? How did Jesus do it? The kingdom of God always looks like Jesus.
Shaun, great discussion here!
I think you and your readers might find the interview I just did with Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee somewhat interesting.
Mr. Johnson can fill in the gaps on abortion legislation and where Obama and McCain stand. Some people think it’s all about Roe V. Wade being repealed, but it’s not.
As I say in the interview, even though Mr. Johnson is clearly Pro-McCain, I’m not pushing for either candidate (honestly). I’m not even telling you how much of a factor the issue of abortion should be in everyone’s decision. I only wanted to help folks understand the issue and be more informed.
Bryan Allain Interviews Douglas Johnson on the NRLC
thanks,
Bryan
Shaun, WONDERFUL idea about the house.
I’ve been praying about and looking for ministries that are stepping in and buying foreclosures to turn over to families/individuals in need. Anybody know of any? In the suburban Detroit area especially, good houses are super cheap and the need is huge.
Megan asked…
Why did you write this post?
How do you want people to react?
What message are you trying to send?
1. Because I see my neighbor as representative of us all in America, Democrat and Republican, Christian and not. We get very passionate about an issue or four when it’s time to vote but our passion is better gauged, I think, by our action in a non-election year.
2. To self-examine. To stop focusing on and defending their party or politics and examine their lives. I want us to ask ourselves if our lives, our investments, square with our stated convictions? I want us to ask that of close we’re in relationship with too. We’ll spam each other for our candidate, so why won’t we hold each other accountable for our King? I’d like to see more of that.
3. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Hey Shaun,
I just had a question. For you, personally, how do you choose what what to be involved in? or how to contribute for that matter?
There are many things I am passionate about, but only so many things I can dedicate myself too… at least if I want to be effective. Thanks for your answer!
EDIT: sorry, this question is really for anyone… not just Shaun!
Nancy, I am not sure if this is what you are after.
Habitat for Humanity
http://www.habitat.org/
&
Lincoln Village Ministries.
http://www.lincolnvillageministry.com/Home.html
The sad thing about buying a house that was foreclosed on is that the house probably will need work before someone could live in it.
Someone did buy a house in Detroit for under two dollars on e-bay.
Thomas
Noelle, I think choosing what to get involved with has more to do with how we sense God is leading us in general in our life…what’s your purpose, what’s your passion, what’s your past, why am I here? Oftentimes we get most passionate about helping others who are going through what we or someone close to us has. Sometimes God just lays a burden on our hearts. Hope that helps or makes some sense.
Shaun,
I’d say mission accomplished with this post. Just one more reason I love to red your blog. It makes me think and I like that
“Maybe I should ask him. Somebody should.”
I’m not sure anybody should ask the man for three reasons.
1) If somebody knew the man personally, even if they weren’t good friends, the answer should be obvious and the question wouldn’t need to be asked.
2) If somebody didn’t know the person, then questioning whether they are doing more than that comes across as judgmental and tacky.
3) Only somebody voting for the pro-abortion presidential candidate in this election would even ask such a question, so it would also indicate bias.
MB
I wholeheartedly agree, MamasBoy.
And I admire the guy for being a voice for those who don’t have a voice. And unfortunately, only one party/presidential candidate is an advocate for the unborn.
I’m late to the conversation as usual.
My heart breaks for the women who are reminded every day they pass this man’s house of the choice they made.
I wonder how I would feel if someone took all my sins and displayed them in their front yard for me to pass by everyday. Maybe it would bring conviction. Or maybe it would heap on the guilt and shame.
I am pro life. But I also don’t believe legislature will change hearts. Only God can do that. And he calls us to be His hands and feet. I know without a doubt I am called to love the women who have made this choice and who are contemplating this choice. I am called to love them without reservation.