Politics

How One Smart Doctor’s Christian Faith Helped Him Decide To Provide Abortions

Dr. Willie J. Parker used to refuse to perform abortions at his D.C. practice because he was raised Christian and taught that abortion was wrong. But over time, that same Christian faith lead him to decide to help the women who came to him in crisis. Now he’s one of only a small percentage of obstetricians who will perform abortions as late as 24 weeks.

The New Jersey Star Ledger quotes him as explaining his evolution as follows:

In listening to a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, I came to a deeper understanding of my spirituality, which places a higher value on compassion. King said what made the good Samaritan “good” is that instead of focusing on would happen to him by stopping to help the traveler, he was more concerned about what would happen to the traveler if he didn’t stop to help.

I became more concerned about what would happen to these women if I, as an obstetrician, did not help them.

The story of Dr. Parker gives me hope that maybe some day — if people get back to the core values of Christianity — its strong influence in this country will in fact help further women’s rights, rather than being held up as an excuse to infringe upon them. Especially now, when record numbers of restrictions are being put on reproductive rights, it’s important for everyone to stand up for compassion and tolerance. But especially people of faith who can remind their fellow Christians that that’s what they’re religion is supposed to be all about.

Read more about Dr. Parker, plus cool sidebars here…

 

TAGS: Christianity | Dr. Willie Parker | pro choice

• 7 Ridiculous Kitchen Gadgets That You Don't Need
• 4 Most Travel Friendly Headphones
• Inside The Life Of A Six Year Old Millionaire
• How to Avoid The #1 Job Interview Disaster