Planned Parenthood

There were shouting protesters. There were also people holding signs with pictures of fetuses and warnings of doing things Jesus’ way. It was odd seeing all this up close. The first time I really understood abortion was when I was thirteen. I watched a close friend of mine endure being called a baby killer after other people found out about a choice she’d made. We were both young, but I quickly learned how cruel people can be. As I got older, I’ve talked with other women who’ve shared their experiences of entering Planned Parenthood to do what they believed was the right choice for them, and while I listened to their stories, I never judged them. Why would I?

I’m a Christian, but I’m not God.

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood and I wonder do people who are in protest of it and suggesting it be defunded, have a warped perception of it? Planned Parenthood provides birth control, various forms of contraception, and healthcare, and for many women, it’s the only affordable healthcare they’re able to receive. As a believer, I understand doing things God’s way, but I also understand loving and praying for people vs. criticizing them. You never know what someone’s situation is or what you’d do if you were in someone else’s shoes. Even if you think you’d know what you would or wouldn’t do.

I can also empathize with women that want to have children, but can’t. I’ve also heard the stories of women who’ve loss their babies, weren’t able to carry their babies full term, or have been unable to get pregnant at all. Some of these women may detest the thought of women choosing to terminate their pregnancies. And that’s understandable, too.

But is anyone in a position to judge someone over their choices? I don’t believe so. At the end of the day whatever a woman decides to do with her body is between her and God. It’s none of my business or anyone else’s to debate about what’s going on with another woman’s uterus.

Is Planned Parenthood helpful or hurtful? Guess it really depends on your definition of help or hurt.

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