But as it has spread there have also risen attacks and accusations against various men and the ideology of abolition itself. False reports have been printed, mischaracterizations have been leveled, and straw men erected. Much of it has been from ProLife leaders as their compromise and partiality has been exposed.
Some, grievously, have come from Christians.
To those who are frustrated and weary from trying to argue and give an answer to critics (which is certainly a valid thing to do when necessary, and there is a good opportunity), I would like to encourage in general the course followed by the son of Hachiliah in the 16th book of the Bible.
Remember Nehemiah's responses to his enemies' false accusations and attempts to turn others against him and call him away from the task of rebuilding the wall?
Take, for instance, chapter 6 of Nehemiah...
2 "That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief."
3 "And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"
4 "Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."
5 "Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;"
6 "Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words."
7 "And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."
8 "Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart."
9 "For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands" (Nehemiah 6:2-9).
This would also be my counsel when falsely accused by Christian brethren.
We can choose to NOT spend our days throwing fire back. It can accomplish little but burning and blackening everyone.
Rather remember, "I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, SO THAT I CANNOT COME DOWN".
We can choose to NOT descend to the same level of accusation and cutting, petty arguments, and assuming motives.
We can choose to NOT answer back in like kind, chose NOT to return "railing for railing" (I Peter 3:9).
We can choose to clearly say, "nope, that's not true" but keep our hand to the plow and not get embroiled in conflict. "THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS THOU SAYEST, BUT THOU FEIGNEST THEM OUT OF THINE OWN HEART."
We can choose to NOT waste time trying to justify ourselves and prove the rumors wrong, for "the curse causeless shall not come."
When given opportunity, simply state the truth and carry on with the work.
"O GOD, STRENGTHEN MY HANDS."
We can cry out to God to...
order our steps (Psalm 119:133),
plead our cause (Psalm 35:1),
strengthen our hands (Psalm 144:1), and
turn hearts to see the truth (Proverbs 21:1).
He is our Strength.
What was it that showed everyone, including Nehemiah's adversaries, that Nehemiah was in the right?
The wall being finished.
"And it came to pass, that when our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God" (Nehemiah 6:16).
Abortion must be abolished.
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