By James L. Lambert and Fred Jackson
July 11, 2001

(AgapePress) - A study published by an affiliate of Planned Parenthood says almost a quarter-million abortions are performed each year in the U.S. on women who identify themselves as born-again or evangelical Christians.

Approximately 1.37 million abortions are performed in the United States each year. According to a startling and little publicized survey by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 37.4% of those abortions are performed on Protestant women -- approximately one-half (about 18%) of whom profess to be born-again believers. That 18% of the estimated annual total accounts for 246,600 aborted babies each year in America.

To many pro-life advocates, it has become overwhelmingly clear that mainline Protestant churches and their leadership are not speaking out against the abortion industry persuasively. In an example of an effort to recruit more Christians to their cause, a group of 25 pro-life advocates called "Christians United" picketed the headquarters of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, on Sunday, July 8.

Senior pastors from Calvary Chapel were reluctant to comment on the demonstration, though twice an interview was requested. They insisted that they support "the [pro-life] cause," but according to an assistant pastor did not agree with the way the activists presented their message using graphic signs of aborted babies. But pro-life organizer Steve Klein felt the need to demonstrate in front of a church like Calvary Chapel was due, in part, to their leadership's reluctance to support a cause that many inside the clergy feel is "political."

One church member was particularly appalled at the signs that he felt "desecrated the church." Pro-life activists like Joe Bower of Open Eyes Ministries believe that "voting Republican is not enough" when it comes to public policy positions concerning the abortion industry. Bower believes the signs, though graphic, "expose abortion for what it is."

In a personal letter to senior pastor Chuck Smith, Klein reminded Smith of times in history when the church, as a whole, was reluctant to take a stand on leading moral issues of their day. He recounted the church debate over slavery during the mid-1850s, and the reluctance of German churches to take a stand on Nazi persecution of Jews in the 1930s.

While the discussion concerning Calvary's approach to the abortion debate is not over, the figures from the Alan Guttmacher study indicate clearly that plenty of apathy exists in the church about the issue.

More Apathy?
Abortion may not be the only topic about which Christians appear to be apathetic. A new survey by the Barna Research Group finds that most Protestants do not tell others about Jesus. According to the survey, only one out of every three adults attending a Protestant church shared their faith with a nonbeliever last year. Also, a majority of adults who attend Baptist churches, which are known for their evangelistic focus, did not witness in the last year.

The survey found the most common religious practice among adults is prayer. Researchers contacted 6,000 adults nationwide for the survey.

James L. Lambert is a contributing writer to AgapePress. He is the host of Night Lights, a weekly conservative talk cable television show in San Diego; the author of Porn in America (Huntington House); and a real estate loan sales agent. He can be reached at 1-800-656-8603 or www.JamesLLambert.com (currently under construction).

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