Recently, we turned our attention to something pressing on our awareness in a fearful way: the more-patent animosity and violence societies are willing to tolerate towards women, our own included.
A friend sent us this link; he noted that it might be of interest for our blog. The piece speaks for itself: http://webmail.nycap.rr.com/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.independent.co.uk%252Fnews%252Fworld%252Feurope%252Fvatican-confirms-report-of-sexual-abuse-and-rape-of-nuns-by-priests-in-23-countries-688261.html%253Fr%253D1. In response, we can be thankful for the relative safety of our own lives, be firm in our commitment to speak up and speak out, and be fearless in our faith in the truth.
Here in the United States, many in Congress have declared open season on women and children, especially poor women and children, who form no powerful voters’ block and contribute little in the way of significant campaign cash. There are numerous signs of a continuing storm, any one of which would require a dedicated and sustained response. We must wonder if the motive for this is truly fiscal conservatism, when the cuts result in no net savings.
Planned Parenthood is under siege. This means that more than a million patients who receive prompt, informed medical treatment every year for everything from diabetes to cancer are under siege. By men—and by some women who have drunk the Kool-Aid of hatred—who would return to a patriarchy where women have little say in their fate.
On this topic, a friend from the center of the country asks if there is not a fundamental inconsistency in the notion that if God sees fit to create a child, even if that child is the product of rape, incest, coercion or war, then the woman should accept her destiny, whether or not she will survive delivery or be able to properly care for a child, but if God creates a barren woman, all manner of medical treatment should be used and insurance or public medical dollars should pay to “correct” the error of God’s wisdom. Our friend’s frustration is evident as she concludes that pregnancy is the optimal female condition. Pregnancy without consent, pregnancy as manifestation of man’s will and man’s power glorified as God’s will.
Our friend raises a difficult topic, so difficult that many cannot speak of it intelligently or coherently. Still, it is a topic that we must address, safely and with mutual respect, even for those who do not share our beliefs or who would consider themselves our enemy.
It is in that spirit that we offer a broad tip of our hat to an artist and scholar who has made a thought-provoking, yet light-hearted must-see video on a serious subject. She has allowed us to add the link here; shortly, we hope, she will contribute her written word to this space. Kudos! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxLkFePwrqg
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