The need to protect pregnancy centers.

The time has come for life-affirming pregnancy centers and those involved in the pro-life movement to go on the offense, actively promoting the good that pregnancy centers do. A recent article in The Bulletin shows the renewal of threats--an outright campaign--against those who do the most good: Pregnancy Centers.

According to the Philadelphia newspaper, an e-mail was sent to college activists by the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Campus Program announcing a nationwide protest on April 13 against pregnancy care centers that provide free aid and abortion alternatives for women.

The sarcastic side of me wonders if they will stand outside of pregnancy centers with signs depicting babies and offers to kill them.

The realist in me knows that the so-called choice movement has been emboldened by the pro-abortion position of President Obama and the left-leaning Congress and is moving into action to stop pro-life pregnancy centers from giving information and services to women in need. After all, pregnancy centers, generally not-for-profit organizations funded by private donations, eat into the profit margin of abortion clinics.

The Bulletin quotes Virginia Cline of Heartbeat International, “Today, the abortion cartel is a multimillion dollar industry that encourages and promotes abortion for profit … Heartbeat pregnancy centers provide the crucial facts on fetal development and explain the physical and emotional risks of abortion that those selling abortion to women often leave out.”

In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing the good that pregnancy centers do and outlining some of the threats that pregnancy centers face. This is an important message that needs to spread like wildfire. Pregnancy centers are under attack and the pro-life movement must not let them fall.

Thoughts on this week in Washington and What it Means for the Pro-life Movement

I've been mulling over this past week and the pro-life movement. Our new president, Barack Obama, was sworn in, and Obama's abortion agenda loomed overhead while thousands attended the March for Life. There was great concern that Obama might slap pro-lifers in the face with rescinding the Mexico City Policy on the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, however, he waited until take-out-the-trash Friday when it would be more difficult for the not-so-tech-savy Right to comment or report. No worries that the left-wing media will pick up that story and run with it. Besides, we knew that it would be one of his first acts in office, and we knew there was nothing we could do about it but lament--and pray.

I am happy to report, however, that Heartbeat International's Babies Go to Congress event was a hit. People responded well to the idea of taking moms and their babies saved from abortion by pregnancy centers to meet congress persons to show them that pregnancy centers are good for America. Heartbeat is encouraged enough to consider making this an annual event.

Also, Heartbeat's president, Peggy Hartshorn, was interviewed by several news outlets. Peggy has devoted her life to making abortion unthinkable. This interview on CBN is inspiring. Be sure to watch.

It is my belief that pregnancy centers are where the movement needs to be focusing. We need to promote their work as community organizations. We need to protect their work from abortion-lobby interference. And we need to get involved on that grass-roots community level. It is working in our communities where we might just do the most good.

Countering Planned Parenthood's "Death" Certificates

You might have heard that Planned Parenthood of Indiana is offering gift certificates this Christmas for services, including abortions. Many people, even pro-choicers, are appalled. Well, here is the opportunity to counter that effort.

In response to these "death certificates," the Pro-Life Action League is encouraging its supporters to give to a non-profit service, Option Line, the life-saving 24/7 hotline (1-800-395-HELP) that connects callers to local resource centers that can help manage a crisis pregnancy or deal with the aftermath of abortion.

To encourage donations to Option Line and remember the birth of baby Jesus, PLAL will give away copies of the book, "What Mary and Joseph Knew About Parenting" to the first 100 donors who give $42 or more between now and December 25. Forty-two dollars is enough to keep Option Line open and taking calls for half an hour—helping at least 14 people in need or as many as 1,000 women if 100 people donate.

To make a tax-deductible gift of $42 or more go to the Option Line online donation form. Write "Mary and Joseph" in the comments section to receive your complimentary book. Or send your check made out to Option Line for $42 or more, with a note to request your book, to Heartbeat International, 665 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Ste 440, Columbus, Ohio 43229. Option Line is a joint venture of Heartbeat International and Care Net.