Saturday, November 7, 2009

Planned Parenthood Director resigns

“The money was in abortion” was the statement of Planned Parenthood Director who resigned on October 6, 2009 after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure. Abby Johnson had worked at the Bryan, Texas office for eight years, the last two as director. According to Johnson, difficult economic times were causing the organization to direct its focus more from prevention and family planning to abortions, where more money could be made. “Definitely the most lucrative part of their business was abortions,” she told the Houston Chronicle.[1] Aside from a philosophical difference of opinion regarding the operation of the clinic, Johnson seemed to be particularly convicted morally, stating, “I just thought I can’t do this anymore”. After leaving, she stated, “"I feel so pure in heart. I don't have this guilt. I don't have this burden on me anymore that's how I know this conversion was a spiritual conversion."

Not everyone has a conversion that dramatic and we commend Ms. Johnson for acting so decisively on her newfound conviction. This may be seen as a challenge to all Christians to act similarly. We do not hate those who are involved in the abortion business; rather, we hope and pray they also will recognize the truth of what they are doing. The intent of Jesus Christ in the lives of believers is to work through us to “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18)

So, what was the reaction to Abby Johnson’s resignation by Planned Parenthood? It was, of course, to immediately file a lawsuit. A temporary injunction was issued barring Johnson from releasing any records to which she may have previously had access. In the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) annual report, 305,310 abortions were conducted in the United States in 2007. Government grants and contracts (i.e., your tax dollars) accounted for more than $349 million in revenue for the year ending 6/30/08, with total net assets of $1.014 billion.[2] While they do perform other services, such as contraception, the morning after pill, STD testing and cancer screenings, PPFA is heavily invested financially in the abortion market. The International Planned Parenthood Federation reported spending $7,590,116 in abortion services for the year ending 12/31/08.[3] “The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

For the record, informationaboutgod.com is a strong advocate of the pro-choice position: We believe the child should be given the opportunity to choose. Abortion denies that opportunity. There are alternatives to abortion, including adoption, abstinence, and contraception.

[1] < http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6700777.html>
[2] < http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/AR08_vFinal.pdf>
[3] < http://www.ippfwhr.org/files/IPPF_AR2008_english_web.pdf>