I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how the culture of death has been embedded into the fabric of our society for decades now, and how, although we are certainly making strides (with the majority of Americans now identifying themselves as pro-life, with people joining together to oppose health care coverage that includes abortion, with many young people ow once again growing strong in their faith), lots of work still lies ahead.
In my opinion, it isn’t the belief that ending lives like mine is a choice, but the indifferent attitude, the apathetic response to abortion that is most dangerous to respecting and protecting life. Indifference to the plight of human suffering and the devastating impact that this apathy has on individual lives, families, communities, and the world is unfortunately not new. And although the specific circumstances surrounding each example of indifference throughout history are unique, there is something that each occurrence has in common with the other-the role of hope, and the undying belief in peace and faith in surviving indifference, intolerance, suffering and pain. I certainly can relate. Some people who don’t know me may find it hard to believe that I long ago forgave my biological parents for the decision that they made to end my life, but that forgiveness truly set me free. And it is my hope that they find forgiveness for themselves, and my hope to help other men and women just like them around the world find forgiveness, themselves, that keeps me going in my ministry. It is my faith in the grace of God and His plans for me that get me through even the darkest of days. It is my hope for peace, for a better world for my daughter and all of the young children like her that compels me to share my testimony about the true reality of abortion with the world, despite the indifferent and sometimes intolerant attitudes that I encounter. It is the trifecta of hope, peace, and faith that gives me the courage to be bold in word and in action.
In keeping with the importance of hope, peace, and faith in overcoming indifference and intolerance, I thought that I would share some of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite authors, Elie Wiesel, a man of great courage, wisdom and strength, who overcame great trauma and suffering, himself, with all of you.
On indifference:
The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.
Only one enemy is worse than despair: indifference. In every area of human creativity, indifference is the enemy; indifference of evil is worse than evil, because it is also sterile.
Regarding peace:
Peace is not God’s gift to his creatures. It is our gift to each other.
On hope:
Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.
Regarding faith: (This one is from Pamela Reeve, not Elie Wiesel, but it simply too good to not include here)
Faith is realizing that I am useful to God not in spite of my scars but because of them.
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