Organization: Penn State University
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 19:15:31 EDT
From: Tim Bieling <QAA@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Subject: Re: Apology to Phil Donahue

In article <CHRISTIA%92090509511693@ASUACAD.BITNET>, Kerry Stephenson
<KSTE@PURCCVM.BITNET> says:
>
>Hi all:
>
>I saw it, but I'm still not sure I believe it.  Phil Donahue did a show
>yesterday on the (get ready) PROBLEMS associated with LEGAL abortion.
>There was a woman who had been aborted in a Planned Parenthood clinic &
>later gave birth to a perfectly healthy child.  There was a woman who
>had been aborted and later gave birth to a child with one arm missing
>from the trauma of the botched abortion.  There was a lawyer.  And there
>were beautiful, healthy, happy babies.
>
>The first woman was told, during her abortion (by the compassionate
>Planned Parenthood doctor), "If you don't relax, I'll miss my lunch."
>
>Seeing those babies may well help some to make the decision not to
>abort.  Hearing those stories may change some minds and hearts.  Thank
>you, Phil Donahue.
>
>And thank you, Jesus, for a wonderful end to a less-than-perfect day.
>
>May God bless the children, and may God bless all of those working to
>ensure their survival.
>
Kerry,

I have always admired Phil Donahue because he really tries (in his
serious shows) to probe issues.  I saw this show and was almost ill
at the vivid description of how an abortion is actually performed.
However, I still remain pro-choice and support legal abortions.  My
reasons are quite clear - when you make something such as this illegal,
it won't stop underground, unsafe abortions to be done anyway.  The
current tactics of the pro-life people (from what I've seen) that
includes terrorizing patrons, bombing clinics, etc.

I think a better approach is non-threatening education about the
process, it's dangers, etc.  Solutions to social issues rarely come
from new governmental legislation.

As an aside, here are some social problems, and suggested solutions:

o  Abortion.  Promote abstinence and/or birth control.  If a pregnancy
   occurs, promote taking it to term, and encourage giving the child
   up for adoption (if the parents can't handle/don't want the child)

o  Homosexuality.  Promote and accept (legally) same-sex marriages.
   Provide education which demonstrates homosexuality as equal to
   heterosexuality.  (There are lots of gay teens who, seeing no
   way out, choose suicide - I was lucky, since I'm still around)

o  Racism.  Promote race based education at an early age.  Teach about
   different cultures and impress the fact that people are people.
   (It'd be funny if there wasn't such a big racial problem that white
   people spend money to tan, and dark skinned people spend money
   to be lighter... weird)

o  Drugs.  Legalize, and educate with factual information about the
   various dangers.  Some currently illegal drugs are much safer with
   proper use than currently legal ones (alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, etc)

There may be others, but these are the biggies.  Basically the answer
to many social "problems" is to get the government out of running peoples
personal lives - and for Christians this is most important.  The typical
Christian view (correct me if I'm wrong) is that abortion, homosexuality,
and drug use is wrong - so what?  Are you (Christians) ready to handle
the consequences of the legislation you push?  (I refer specifically to
the OCA's and CFV's anti-homosexuality positions)  Such legislation will
not solve any problems - it will make otherwise quiet law abiding people
angry.

Now, you'll say - but we MUST have "morals" - I agree with you, but
why should those "morals" be based on one source?  For example, if you
think the Christian Bible denounces homosexuality (I dare to differ on
that), others feel it is quite acceptable.

"Morals" is a vague term - my definition of it means:

"That set of rules which allow each and every sentient individual to
interact with each other without causing harm to another sentient
individual"

Since this is getting long, I'll close by saying that tolerance not
legislation is the answer.  All I ever wanted in this lifetime is
happiness.  What would make me most happy is to publically demonstrate
my love and committment to another man. (and have it legally recognized,
since laws prohibit such a union)  I thank those who have sent me private
e-mail with your blessings. :)

Please think about what I've said, and re-read The Bible if you must
because I don't see the "bad" things as you see them.  (I do have an
online Bible, so provide references if you need to - it's a KJV)

Again, thanks to those of you who've blessed my relationship, you are
special ...!

Comments welcome (flames to me, not to the list)

-Tim