What can be done?

I have lived much of my adult life oblivious to what's going on in politics. In high school, I often expressed my beliefs about politics and had no problem defending my point of view. But during my college years, I learned that most intellectuals considered conservatism (my point of view) to be equal to ignorance, and therefore I quickly learned to keep my mouth shut.

This post isn't about conservatism or liberalism. It's not about democratic or republican. This post is about right and wrong. Today I read an article on someone's Facebook page that reported on our new president's recent overturn of the ban on the United States' financial support of international abortion. Apparently, this is a ban that is either enforced or overturned depending on which party wins the presidential election. Bush- enforced. Clinton - overturned. Little Bush - enforced. Obama - overturned.

Usually, I'd just read an article like this and shake my head, but then continue on with my day. Today is different. Today I received my W2 and I looked at the box that notes the amount of tax dollars that I've contributed to the running of our federal government. I realized that part of my money, the money that I earn by working at a life-endorsing institution (the church), is flown overseas to help women abort their babies. My money is used to forward a cause that I do not believe in and that my Christian beliefs (that God alone is the giver of life, that life is sacred and precious because it comes from Him, that each individual is born with God-given purpose and destiny) diametrically oppose.

I've done a small amount of research today and discovered that, worldwide, 46 million babies are aborted every year (that's one in five pregnancies that end in abortion). Of those, 36 million abortions take place in the developing world (2nd and 3rd world nations) and only 10 million take place in developed nations. This is startling: In Eastern Europe, 57% of pregnancies end in abortion. In East Asia, 1/3 of all pregnancies are terminated.

President Obama said, "In the coming weeks, my administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world." His secretary of state, Hilary Clinton, who will oversee foreign aid, said, "Rather than limiting women's ability to receive reproductive health services, we should be supporting programs that help women and their partners make decisions to ensure their health and the health of their families."

Terms like "family planning" and "women's health" are intended to make a messy issue rather glossy and pretty. I've heard many stories from women who have chosen abortion. I've heard the hurt they've endured because of it, the guilt, the pain, the turmoil. What makes us think that the emotional effects of abortion are only suffered by women in Judeo-Christian nations? When abortion is offered as an out for those in other nations who find themselves with unwanted pregnancies, what happens to those women after the fact? When the term "women's health" is used, I'm inclined to believe that it refers only to her physical health and not to her emotional, spiritual, and mental health. Are the World Health Organization and United Nations jumping to offer post-abortion counseling? I highly doubt it.

What can be done? This is question that I've been struggling with all day. As a taxpayer, my money supports abortion, while my morals do not. I could stop paying taxes, but then I'd end up in jail, therefore thwarting any future impact I may be able to make for such a cause (and seriously cramping my style). The solution is much deeper than just throwing money at the issue. It's easy in America to write a check and feel like we've done our part. The worldwide anti-abortion movement is minimal. Plus, I'm not entirely sure that establishing a movement similar to the one in the United States would be that effective anyway, since, even though we have a huge anti-abortion population, it's still legal.

What if, world-wide, women knew how much God loved them and their unborn children? What if women in need were introduced to a God who concerned himself with the details of their lives and the lives of their babies? What if they found out that God has a purpose for them and their babies? What if they were offered another option in a desperate time when abortion seemed the only way out? What if there was a way to care for them and their children and ensure that they were fed, clothed, and housed?

All of this, while a very tall order, is nothing short of necessary.

Ideas?