Bearing false witness is a sin. But not, evidently, when you have a chance to moralize.
It turns out that, based on her own words, Pam Tebow’s life was never in jeopardy at all during her pregnancy.
The reporting comes from Jodi Jacobson at RH Reality Check:
During a bible study class, Pam Tebow related that “during that pregnancy, a Philippine doctor suggested that she abort the fetus because the strong medications she was being treated with for amoebic dysentery, which she had contacted early in the pregnancy, could cause serious disabilities to the fetus.”
Suggested that she abort the pregnancy? Or laid out the various risks that were possible, leaving her to her own judgment and choices? Made a definitive judgment that the fetus would unquestionably be harmed? Or described the risks of the medication necessary to treat the dysentery, including possible risks to the fetus? All of these are very different scenarios than the ones earlier suggested.
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This indeed changes the whole narrative, and makes even more suspicious the trotting out of Pam Tebow as an anti-choice spokesperson.
First, as someone who herself had to be on strong medication during both of the pregnancies with my now 10- and 13-year old children, and indeed whose own health was at serious risk, the issue of “risks that could cause” problems is very different than receiving a definitive diagnosis either that something is proved to be wrong or that this pregnancy might or will kill you.
This is quite a different story than “My doctor told me that my pregnancy would kill me, but I ignored him and now America’s been blessed with a quarterback.” And quite a bit less powerful. And ultimately, the story still boils down to Pam Tebow having a choice — a choice she and Focus on the Family would deny others.
Ultimately, if you have to lie to convince others of your beliefs, it’s your beliefs that need to be examined. Pam Tebow has now been caught in at least two lies. I think that tells us in no uncertain terms just how weak her case is — and how much credence needs be given to it.
Some elements in the “pro-life” movement are willing to murder to enforce their view of morality. Why should their willingness to lie be a surprise?
And let us not forget that many elements of the “pro-life” movement are perfectly willing to lie to themselves about the numbers of women who will die if abortion is made illegal. If they are willing to operate within the parameters of that particular lie, why should their willingness to create and live with other falsehoods be a surprise?
It was just announced that CBS has rejected a Super Bowl ad for a gay dating site. I’m disgusted that this network gets free access to the airwaves and distribution to every home with a TV.
Speaking of bearing false witness, it was just announced that CBS has rejected a Super Bowl ad for a gay dating site. But they continue to insist that they aren’t cherry-picking which messages they’ll allow to be broadcast.