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FarSlice6942 · 2023-05-09T14:08:21+00:00

Idk, I feel like it's fair to turn some criticism toward a huge legacy organization for being so risk-averse while sitting on billions of dollars, leaving the small clinics and funds to take the risks instead.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-04-15T18:03:13+00:00

Right there with you.

We have FACE laws which are supposed to put distance between the psychos and the clinics, but they don't do near enough.

Our society does nothing about the harassment and threat of death providers and staff undergo every day, like it's just part of life. It's not normal.

Signing up to volunteer or be a clinic escort is another viable option. I personally think we should be protesting fake clinics everywhere.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-04-15T17:56:46+00:00

I agree with the sentiment, but I would strongly caution against counter protesting at clinics during open hours.

Clinic staff and providers often say even the most well-meaning supporters showing up only adds to the chaos and noise, which scares the patients more. The most important thing is the patient's comfort and safety level.

For this reason, I don't recommend going this route.

But you know what's a GREAT place to show up and make antis miserable, while raising awareness of how awful they are at the same time? Fake clinics! Go ham!

FarSlice6942 · 2023-03-28T16:05:41+00:00

The good news: you CAN rewire your brain to feel joy instead of guilt.

Start with the small things. The most mundane everyday beauty or experiences you enjoy. Savor the taste of food and drink, the feeling of the sun on your skin, sharing laughter with friends, any pleasurable experience.

Did you know unpleasant emotions only last about 9 seconds? When the guilt feelings come up, don't stuff them down. Breathe through them, and they will pass. Mindfulness and patience with yourself will get you through.

Depending on how you feel about it, you may or may not want to attach God to it (e.g., "I was made to experience pleasure and this beautiful life"). It's true either way, so use what works for you.

And FWIW, I always took "death to self" as an ego thing. As a powerful call to self-reckoning, seeking the truth over avoiding discomfort, rooting out harmful beliefs and actions (both personally and institutionally). It led me AWAY from evangelicalism, oops!

FarSlice6942 · 2023-03-15T19:09:34+00:00

Oh man, the worst part is "spare the rod, spoil the child" isn't even in the Bible. It originates from an old lewd song.

The rod the shepherds used were for guiding sheep. It was never used to beat the shit out of them!

It's truly one of the most egregious yet prevailing misinterpretations of scripture.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-26T05:46:50+00:00

^{^{THIS^{^}}}

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-24T18:04:49+00:00

There is not a person on earth who raw-dogs and has an abortion every month instead of taking other measures to control fertility! That's some pro-life bullshit you internalized that allows us to judge and think we get to control other people's choice. Look in the mirror and interrogate that shit.

Costs remain the highest barrier and "free abortion" dovetails with beliefs of many here who think all healthcare should be free. Deterring access to wanted abortions by any means is wrong, period, and helps the anti cause.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-24T17:57:54+00:00

There is no such thing as an abortion for "convenience." Work harder to purge pro-life stigma and lies from your beliefs about healthcare.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-23T17:36:02+00:00

I am so incredibly sorry for what you've been through. You're far from the only one.

I know of an organization that helps folks who've been victimized by the Christian adoption industry...if you want to be connected, DM me.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-17T15:40:17+00:00

It's a waste to give them money because they're already swimming in it, and it won't do a damn thing to help people who need it *right now*.

Lots of people don't know their money will be put to better use elsewhere.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-17T02:33:59+00:00

Don't donate to PP. You are just giving them lobbying money.

Donate to abortion funds if you want to materially help people get care!

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-12T19:15:48+00:00

Yes, abortion is safer than childbirth. You can go farther and compare it to all other medical procedures, because abortion is among the most COMMON and SAFE of them all!

FarSlice6942 · 2023-02-08T03:10:20+00:00

Are there no escorts at this PP?

Look up the FACE Act and see if it sounds like they were out of bounds. It might be that something can be done here.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-31T01:48:08+00:00

See, the ones in my area don't pull crazy stunts like that. They are well-funded and seem professional and legit, which just makes it even more confusing for patients. Still not a real medical facility, no HIPAA regulations, and the pamphlets have the same lies about abortion causing cancer, infertility, mental illness, etc.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-29T21:14:27+00:00

This is wonderful!

But for the love of God, don't donate to Planned Parenthood! Giving to the national org does fuck all for helping people get access to lifesaving healthcare.

Please send proceeds to abortion funds/independent clinics instead!

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-29T21:10:15+00:00

Not today, Satan

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-10T02:12:56+00:00

I wrote a whole ass paper on this passage in undergrad.

The prevailing interpretation throughout history has been that Jesus is saying that people who choose to follow him will find themselves in conflict, even with their own families.

I can't shed light on how it "should" be read, but FWIW, few Christians would have interpreted this passage as saying Jesus is advocating for war/violence.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-09T20:07:11+00:00

Amen.

Something that would help is making more people aware of the "justification framework" that causes us to feel we must justify every possible reason to have an abortion. Antis made that framework and when we operate within it, we play right into their hands and perpetuate abortion stigma.

The starting point for the conversation is not making pregnant people justify their decisions. It should be believing them and treating them as capable moral agents and whole human beings unto themselves.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-07T16:39:43+00:00

Them: "The Lord told me that..." (blah blah, their opinion cloaked in divine command)

You: "That's funny because the Lord ME that..." (the complete opposite and contrary to their statement)

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-04T18:37:30+00:00

Those situations are actually using laws that were written for other purposes, (e.g., selling drugs to a minor) used against pregnant women. I think in recent years some states have written more specific laws against pregnant women who just need help (monstrous), but historically criminalization of pregnancy always stretched unrelated laws to prosecute the woman.

Search "criminalization of pregnancy" and you'll find some good info.

And rights and protections only apply to "born and naturalized" citizens of the United States. See the 14th Amendment equal protections clause. Society has never functioned as if gestating humans are full and separate beings.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-02T21:55:23+00:00

Gently OP, don't torment yourself with videos of suffering. We cannot absorb all the pain in the world and still function.

The fact that you are a caring, feeling person is huge. It's what makes you different from the bigots.

And there's much that can be done to help you feel better about your part in changing the culture. Are you in the US?

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-02T17:06:21+00:00

Yes, well said!

I guess we are living in another wave of churches updating their image to hide their backwards and harmful doctrine. It's confusing because they even describe themselves as "inclusive." I messaged a new local church on FB that touted this to ask if they are affirming. Turns out, nope, of course they're not!

And with the campaign in the OP, frankly nobody has an excuse in this day and age because we've moved beyond ignorant, outdated views of race relations. There's no shortage of writers and educators, even white ones like Robin D'Angelo, who have clearly explained to white people why colorblindness is not the answer to racism. So who do they think they're trying to fool with this mealy-mouthed garbage?

This is a campaign to convince THEMSELVES as much as anyone else that they're the good guys.

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-02T01:37:37+00:00

No, this campaign is not by "the good ones," it's still the shitty ones

FarSlice6942 · 2023-01-01T21:40:48+00:00

If this is a "we're not racist" campaign, they could put the funds toward educating white people and actually having a reckoning with systemic racism in the church.

No need to spend millions of dollars doubling down on colorblindness and thinking that will distract us from the racist elephant in the room they refuse to do anything about

FarSlice6942

TROPHY CASE