Look, I get the politics of this… the mantras “let’s focus on fiscal issues”, and “let’s not rock the boat with social wedge issues” are valid… especially considering it’s the first time Republicans have controlled both houses in Maine in a generation- I get it.  But upon reviewing 4 bills that were brought before the Maine Legislature last session I fail to see anything that should be considered a “wedge” as it pertains to protecting the unborn with basic safeguards, while at the same time keeping in place a woman’s ability to “choose” to end the life of her unborn child.

Many times I hear pro-choice politicians- pro-choice Democrats and Republicans alike- say: “I am personally pro-life, but I still believe we need to preserve a woman’s right to choose.”  They will usually conclude by saying, “abortion must remain legal, but we must do everything in our power to make them more rare.” I used to be a person that said those exact things in everyday conversation, so I know the thought process. The 4 bills I will outline fit this description perfectly- their purposes are to help make abortion more rare, but by no means do they prevent choice.

So I’m not going to call out Republican Legislators by name in this post- the documents linked below will provide the info how people voted if you want it- but here is an open question to those who voted against these bills:

“What about these bills offended you, and why?  If your hope is to ‘help make abortions more rare’- as even a pro-choice politician (if that’s what you are), why could you still not support them?”

The bills from the 2011 Legislature were as follows:

LD 1457: to strengthen rules regarding parental consent of minors considering abortion,
LD 116: to enact a 24hr waiting period prior to an abortion,
LD 924: to educate women on the medical risks of abortion, and
LD 1463: to protect an unborn child from offenses that attempt to harm them (non-abortive offenses, that is)…

Federal law dictates that abortion is here to stay for at least the foreseeable future, but States have it well within their rights to help promote life and make sure those considering abortion know that other options are available. Measures such as these would have done just that.

My ultimate point is that there’s no reason (other than political posturing) why a more moderate Republican that considers him/herself pro-choice should not been able to support those 4 bills and the modest protections they would have implemented. None of those bills removed supposed “choice” from the equation, but rather would have helped the woman make a clearer and more reasoned “choice”.

Here is a good summary provided by the Maine Right to Life Council of how legislators voted on each bill:
Maine House - http://www.mainerighttolife.com/pdf/2011house.pdf
Maine Senate – http://www.mainerighttolife.com/pdf/2011Senate.pdf

Christ is in Christmas for the long haul- even if people try to take it out. Therefore, I don’t get all worried about the so-called “secularization of Christmas” we hear about all the time. If people want to turn away from the true meaning of Christmas, then that is done at their own peril. For those of us who care about what the holiday truly signifies, we cannot and should not be lead astray by how the non Christ-centered world tries to portray the celebration of His first coming.

Nowhere in the Bible do we see Christ’s first followers gathering around a tree with pretty lights. In fact, Christ was murdered on a tree fashioned into a Cross. My understanding is the tradition of the Christmas Tree didn’t start until the 16th century, right around the same time the King James Bible was first published (you know- the translation people claim is the “truest Word of God” because Jesus supposedly used it some 1500 years prior). If businesses want to appeal to non-Christians by calling it a “holiday tree” then who cares? Just laugh at them and move on. No one is going to force you to quit calling it a Christmas tree within your home. If someone wants to say “Happy Holidays” don’t get all bent out of shape- there are other holidays during this time of year after all. Just wish them “Merry Christmas” in return with a smile.

We live in a time predicted in the Bible. You know, the part where Jesus warns his disciples that a time will come when “many will fall away…” and “the love of many will turn cold” (read Mt 24:10-14). As followers of Jesus Christ, all we can do is “endure to the end” and continue to proclaim His name in spite of any ridicule that may come our way. As for those that choose to “fall away” or simply believe other things- the best we can do is explain the real meaning of Christmas in love, and then pray they are willing to hear it. Rest assured, Christ is in Christmas for the long haul.