Abortion and the New Colonialism

When you picture colonialism in history, what comes to your mind? Probably images of European men sailing abroad, staking their claim onto already occupied land, and forcing the natives to either leave or assimilate, right? Not very popular in more recent decades. Christians, in particular, come under scrutiny here for trying to convert other cultures to Christianity. However, things may not have changed as much as it seems. Progressives don’t hate all colonialism, but they can be selective over what is an acceptable form of it. The new colonialism is permitted as long as it entails promoting their ideology with aspects like abortion.

International Abortion

This post involves a bit more American politics than I usually get into. However, my point is broader. With the new president and his administration, everyone expected more liberal legislation. Unfortunately for the unborn, increased support and availability of abortions were included. What may surprise some is that the support extends beyond U.S. borders.

One of President Joe Biden’s first actions in office was to rescind the Mexico City Policy. The policy, which goes originally back to the 80s with Ronald Reagan, restricted U.S. government funds from any non-government organization that promotes or administers abortions. The policy has swung back and forth depending on the administration ever since. With this latest rescinding, America will again be funding organizations focused on promoting and performing abortions worldwide.

The New Colonialism

This post is not about the politics or the Mexico City Policy, but the broken worldview and double standard around it. Colonialism is seen as one of the most “problematic” ideas today. Any Critical Theory course is going to spend at least a class or two on the subject. Classes teach that colonialism is bad not because colonizers brought bad stuff but because they tried to change another culture.  Even if you bring something good, are you doing so against the culture’s wishes and values? Are you replacing an existing culture with your own? See also cultural relativism.

Christians have committed great evil in history. Nobody can deny that. We would agree that forcing Christianity onto someone at the end of a gun is wrong. We disagree with the notion that all religions are equally valid, and trying to convert people to Christianity is wrong. Jesus commanded us to “go and make disciples of all nations,” not “every religion is true, so don’t try to change anybody’s mind.”

Why Abortion but Not Religion?

Why is it “problematic” to share the good news of Jesus with another culture, but helping them end an unborn life is okay? Especially consider that many of the nations in question are predominantly Catholic. Is it suddenly acceptable to go against the pro-life culture of these nations to push abortion?

Dr. Donna Harrison of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists said this. “It’s a kind of neo-colonialism. It’s forcing countries that don’t want abortion to kill their children. Rather than giving them medical care or safe transportation, rather than focusing on real medical care, they would rather just have these women kill their children.”

Maybe abortions are only given to those who want one, and nothing is forced onto anyone. I would like to think that’s true, but I think that’s a bit naïve. Even if it is by choice, that takes us back to evangelism. We believe that missionaries should faithfully preach the gospel and make Christianity available to anyone who wants it. Progressives who support movements like this apparently don’t actually think that it’s wrong to influence other cultures. It is just a question of which influence.

Is This About Money or Morality?

We haven’t even touched on the politics and economics surrounding the issue. I do not doubt that part of the incentive here is about lining the pockets of groups like the International Planned Parenthood Federation and keeping the machine turning and growing. I would hope that even the people who support abortion would be able to see the dangers here. Abortion is not an industry filled only with idealistic feminists. Corporations providing abortions seek money and power like any other. It just so happens that this one makes its money through the death of children.

I’ve argued the ethics of abortion elsewhere. In this case, I hope you are made more aware of an issue many don’t want to talk or think about. The new colonialism is not coming from Christians but from Planned Parenthood and the American Government. Are you okay with that?

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