Letters to the Editor: "Unplanned" worth seeing

With the national release of the movie "Unplanned", people on both the pro-life and pro-choice sides are being called to learn the truth. The movie tells Planned Parenthood Director-turned-pro-life-advocate, Abby Johnson's story of how she worked her way up in the organization until the point she assisted with an abortion. "She watched in horror as a 13 week baby fought for, and ultimately lost, its life at the hand of the abortionist." (from http://www.abbyjohnson.org) She truly thought she was helping women; that it truly was just a blob of tissue. With today's technology, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the reality of a growing human being in the womb and to what the process of an abortion actually does to the innocent baby that can feel pain. The Journal of Pain Research in 2016 reported multiple scientific studies that "an early form of pain may appear from the 15th week of gestation onward" (and pain receptors are already growing at 8 weeks).

While New York recently passed a law that basically allows an abortion for any reason up until birth, it unfortunately is not new. Currently, seven other states allow abortions during all nine months of pregnancy, and other states are closely following the newly proposed law. While we thankfully don't have 87 abortion clinics in our state as New York does, we do still have one abortion clinic in Fargo that provides an average of 25 abortions per week. That's a classroom of kindergarteners not being able to learn, grow and make a living in our beautiful state. And we wonder where all of the people are? Perhaps through more awareness of resources, choices and adoption, people will not feel ashamed to be expecting in a-not-so-ideal situation. They aren't alone, there is help if only they would reach out and if only others would lend a listening ear and refer them to pregnancy resource centers or other sources of support.

At the time of this release, the Rockford Theatre will likely be showing "Unplanned" in late April or early May. It is currently showing in Jamestown now through April 16 and in Harvey April 26-29.

Whether you have had an unplanned pregnancy, abortion (which is estimated to impact one in four women before the age of 45), are pro-life, pro-choice or sitting somewhere on the fence, this movie is a must-see. We challenge all people to see it. The truth is being told and hearts are changing. Maybe yours will too. If you need healing from an abortion, please contact Rachel's Vineyard (877) 467-3463 or Project Rachel in Fargo (844) 789-4829 or reach out to a local pro-life contact that can put you in touch with a supportive network like St. John's Catholic Church in New Rockford, (701) 947-5325). If youvisit http://www.unplannedfilm.com/devotional, there is a devotional that can be purchased/used in starting your journey to healing from an abortion (or contact us for a limited number of free ones). If you have a love for life, please contact us to continue supporting this important mission. Sincerely, Angela Boeshans, Carrington Live Savers (701)650-8857