There is a reality that cannot be avoided in our world today. That reality is that ‘truth’ is a very elusive and difficult thing to find. A great deal of our information that comes from media sources has either been distorted or written in such a way that leaves the hearer or reader wondering about its veracity. The most recent release of videos and written information about Planned Parenthood certainly falls into that category.
As a Christian minister who works for Planned Parenthood, I wholeheartedly support and stand with Planned Parenthood, not just during this current barrage of accusations, but in its important work in providing access to health care for more than 2.5 million women, men and young people across this country.
There are some important facts that should be known in order to gain a perspective about what is being written and spoken about Planned Parenthood. The latest attacks come from an anti-women’s health organization that has been fabricating stories and doing “undercover” work to denigrate our work for years. This is not the first attack, and surely it won’t be the last. The stated purpose of this group is to shut down all family planning work and reproductive health services at every Planned Parenthood clinic in the U.S. In their efforts to eliminate contraception and abortion, they harbor the idea that taking away the vital services that millions of women receive from Planned Parenthood will be in the best interest of all women.
The reality and the truth is this: women come to Planned Parenthood because we provide compassionate and non-judgmental care. We are experts in reproductive and sexual health matters. We offer annual exams; STI testing and treatment, including HIV/AIDS; screenings for cervical or breast cancer; several forms of available contraception; vasectomies and abortion.
There is another truth that must be addressed. The latest claim being made is that Planned Parenthood sells fetal tissue for profit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Videos are being released of long interviews with clinic medical providers being probed by undercover anti-abortion activists using undercover cameras. These videos are then edited in order to ‘sell’ their message. Let me share five important facts about the latest smear attack on Planned Parenthood.
- Nowhere in the videos does anyone from Planned Parenthood talk about “selling” fetal tissue because we do not do that and never would.
- Planned Parenthood does help patients who wish to and ask for help in donating fetal tissue for medical research, just as hundreds of other health care providers do. It is always voluntary and with the permission of the woman, and is used for research in the quest to find cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. These programs follow all laws as well as our organization’s high ethical standards.
- The group who launched this campaign has been doing these attacks for more than seven years, and has a record of making totally false claims which have been proven to be distorted.
- The fact that some far-right or anti-abortion politicians have begun to use these attacks for their benefit does not make them more credible or true. Major credible news sources have debunked these attacks and proven them to be fabricated for the benefit of those doing the attacking.
- The longer versions of the tapes demonstrate that selective editing was used to twist and distort what was actually said.
How naïve it would be to believe that the truth would enlighten those who have already made up their minds about this issue. Yet, there is simply the need to speak the truth and to stand up for what one knows to be an injustice. For almost 11 years I have served the incredible organization where I am now in ministry. In that time I have been on the receiving end of a great deal of criticism and ridicule. Often my own spirituality and calling into ministry have been questioned. That is my daily reality that I have learned to live with that. But I cannot and will not cease from telling the truth about this work because I believe in women, their right to self-determination, their right to reproductive health care, and I believe in justice. I believe with my whole heart that truth does indeed free us from judgement, hate and discrimination. I believe in Planned Parenthood. That is my truth.
Out of all the articles written about this issue, org and event, why was this one chosen?
What do you mean? This is the only column submitted by a favs writer so far
This is a Favs writer???
Yes, he writes often for us – mostly about church and being a pastor
I adhere to neither side left or right. Both have their agendas and they both distort the truth. But it doesn’t take the mind of an atom splitter to realize one side lies more blatantly and without qualms than the other. The same side that shouts and waves their Christianity around like a baseball bat. To me that seems not only un-Christian but also a form of insanity. I recognize BS when I see and hear it and this latest barrage against Planned Parenthood smells just like BS. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-michaelson/planned-parenthood-gods-work_b_7881794.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terry-krepel/right-wing-media-wont-ack_b_7876458.html. Rev. while I’m not on the same team as you, I do appreciate your work with Planned Parenthood, as well as, your article. Thank you.
I agree that truth is too often co-opted, packaged and remade in the image of those claiming it to be too often these days. But that would be where my agreement with you ends. This is nothing more than party line prose, as it doesn’t honestly address the dehumanizing attitude and practices of PP that have been revealed. [And yes, the folks on the other side of the issue have operated in ways that are wrong and uncivil, but that does not provide a pass…]
“I think a per-item thing works a little better, just because we can see how much we can get out of it.”
-http://winteryknight.com/2015/07/29/third-video-of-planned-parenthood-doctors-discussing-organ-harvesting/
The new video out shows these wonderful workers discussing money for baby parts, not over wine and salad this time, but over actual baby parts. Little arms and body pieces lay there as they discuss how to get the most money.
#defundplannedparenthood