Food for Thought: Gianna Jessen, Abortion Survivor
I think it's taboo to write about controversial topics on design/ lifestyle/art blogs. Gotta keep it light, happy and inspiring, right? Well, I hope today's post is inspiring for you but it's most certainly controversial. Gianna Jessen was aborted by her biological mother in 1977 and she lived to talk about it. Her story and testimony is powerful and inspiring and I just couldn't avoid sharing it with you today. She loves Jesus, hates abortion and is not afraid to tell the whole world about either.
This video of her 2008 speech in Victoria, Australia is completely worth your time. I've watched it a few times and it moves me every time. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments but please keep it respectful!
What a beautiful message. Thanks for posting it. I had not heard it before.
ReplyDeleteHey girl. Thanks for posting. She's so well spoken and so right on. I heard her speak at a conference when I was I. High school. She made quite an impact on me as I've always remembered her and her message. :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog. You seem like such a sweet person and I’ve really enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that it feels out of place having this particular post here.
I’m not anti-life, I am pro-choice and they aren’t the same thing. This is an issue mixing politics and religion…and I feel this violates separation of church and state.
I don’t know what she means about the abortionist not being on duty when she was born, so he couldn’t continue with his plan to end her life. It wasn’t his plan…it was her biological mother’s. And it was her choice for whatever reason to go through with this decision and I don’t think it’s really right to judge her…only God can.
She also makes a comment that “they didn’t win.” I can understand where a comment like this is coming from. But aborting a baby isn’t a victory…it isn’t something to rejoice about. It is an awful decision the mother has made, and something she must live with for the rest of her life. If the abortion had worked as it was supposed to, I wouldn’t consider that a win. Talking about abortion in such terms polarizes the issue and makes it seem as if you are either pro-life or pro-choice and that’s it. I think a lot of people fall somewhere in the middle. I do not like abortion at all. I could never personally have one. But it isn’t my place to stop or judge another woman and her body and life situation. So even though I think it is a woman’s right to make that decision about her body, I would never consider an abortion a victory. It would be amazing if every woman who couldn’t or did not want to keep the baby would give the baby up for adoption, I complete agree with that. But when it comes down to it, it’s not my business what a woman decides to do. And I certainly don’t think it is right for the predominately white males in the government to make that decision either.
And honestly, when she addressed just men and said, “It is your job to protect and stand up for women.” This attitude is what perpetuates the male stereotype that men need to be masculine and show their strength and that it isn’t okay to express emotions and be sensitive. “I am too tired to do your job.” Again, reinforcing sex role stereotypes. This is what places men and women into certain boxes of appropriate behavior and that’s not ok.
That being said, I can respect this woman’s opinion although it is different than mine. I just strongly feel laws about abortion should not be based upon religion. Not everyone is religious and everyone is entitled to believe what they want, but I think it is unfair to hold women up to religious tenets that they themselves and others do not necessarily believe in.
Beautiful story. I'm glad you were bold enough to post it here - you should feel free to post your thoughts, even if some people disagree!
ReplyDeleteI am also glad you chose to post this.
ReplyDeleteIn a short response to Elizabeth, I would just like to say that it doesn't really matter if you or anyone else claims to believe in this one thing or that other thing (whatever they may be). Everyone can not be right.
There are rights and wrongs on every single persons heart and these rights and wrongs speak that there is ONE truth. We can certainly know the difference between right and wrong (for example, I think we can all agree that genocide is wrong).
This means that regardless of people choosing to believe in one thing or another thing, there is one thing that is right and true...so an arguement based on the fact that "everyone is entitled to believe what they want" doesn't really have anything to do with whether abortion is right or wrong.
Truth has a lot of implications.
I saw this woman talk at a benefit dinner a few years back, and she was great. I'm Catholic, and I've Marched for Life on Capitol Hill, so this is an issue close to my heart. Actually, ALL life is. Conception to natural death, and I don't believe in the death penalty.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the biggest fan of arguing my beliefs, and I'm not very eloquent, so I'll just say thanks for posting this. (And if you want to learn more about the Catholic teachings on life, sex, and the use of our bodies, check out Christopher West's Theology of the Body books. He explains Pope John Paul II's teachings on it all.)
I read her book when I was a little girl and then passed it on to other women. It's powerful and I too am a strong advocate in protecting life...I don't understand how their is a pro-choice when that choice is to end a life...murder?? I know people very close to me...who have had abortions and I think no less of them so this is not an issue of me getting judgemental...this is an issue of me so desperately wanting to be a voice for the voiceless babies. Post whatever you want on this blog and know that God will be glorified and bless you for it!
ReplyDeleteLulu, your dearest older brother can not resist...
ReplyDeleteIn response to Elizabeth's comment I would like to put the abortion argument in proper context.
This debate is not of rights but instead of when life begins. If one believes life begins at conception then that makes abortion murder. The right to life trumps the right of body or convenience.
This argument needs be about when life starts not rights. I always find it ironic that those who argue most vehemetly for women's rights constantly attempt to infringe on my rights concerning my money, kids, guns, etc. (for your reference I am not Republican...I tend to skew Libertarian/Anarchist).
I assume we agree all murder is wrong so the true task is to establish what is a life.
Thanks for your responses, everyone. I know this issue is an emotionally charged one and some people might think it's a stupid move for me to post it on my normally lighthearted blog, but I'm glad I did. I couldn't resist the opportunity to share such powerful truth.
ReplyDeleteTo quote the wise Horton (From Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who)-- "A person's a person no matter how small."
Great video. She is such a powerful speaker. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting that I came across this... I actually met a woman the other day who survived a third trimester abortion attempt. How inspiring! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete