When I Went to See Unplanned

If you haven't already, I want to encourage you to see the movie Unplanned. This movie based on Abby Johnson's book about her career and departure from Planned Parenthood after witnessing an abortion, has been out for about a week now, so you've probably already heard something about it. Here are my takeaways:

1. Be prepared to watch the movie. Everyone I know who had seen the movie before me told me to bring tissues. I live about 2 miles away from the movie theater, so I decided that I would walk there. I was enjoying the springtime sunshine when about halfway there I realized I had forgotten tissues. I count myself as lucky that I met a friend there who had extras. Yes, I did cry during the movie. Twice. No matter which side of the issue you are on, this movie is emotional as it depicts the violent death of a child, the aftermath of abortions, and heart wrenching decisions.

2. It takes care to show the truth on both side of the fence. I have heard more than once that the fence is one of the main characters in the story. As the movie progresses, you notice that the fence serves as a physical divider between Planned Parenthood and the people who both peacefully and not so peacefully protest. Once you see the movie, you understand there there are two different sides to the fence, just like there are two different sides to this issue. I place myself firmly on the side of the Coalition for Life, which peacefully acknowledges the dignity of each and every life, from the unborn baby to Abby Johnson herself, the director of the clinic who oversaw thousands of abortions. The film is also honest in showing how some of the "pro-lifers" actually don't care for Abby's life or the lives of the women entering the clinic as they shout nasty comments to the patients. *That kind of behavior is NOT pro-life!* But the most remarkable thing that I saw was that it's possible to peacefully move from one side of the fence to the other.

3. The statistics aren't just numbers. They are real people. The recitation of numbers numbs us to the real people behind those numbers. Abortion has become such a political issue that it's (unfortunately) becoming easy to forget that there are very real lives at stake here. I'm not just talking about the unborn baby that dies in an abortion. I'm also talking about the mother AND the father whose lives are also affected. This film shows the terror that all sides face when an abortion takes place. From Abby Johnson's parents to the father who takes his daughter in to have an abortion, to the family members trying to discourage a woman from having an abortion, we see the gross reality of what happens behind the doors of Planned Parenthood.

4. Better Off Dead. I've already placed myself firmly on the pro-life side of the fence, so I don't think it will come as a surprise when I say that the real message of the pro-choice side seems to be that it is better to be dead. It is better to be dead than poor. It is better to be dead than raised by a single parent. It is better to be dead than born with a disability. It is better to be dead with no chance at all than alive with hope and an opportunity to try. Morally, I just cannot cling to the idea that death is better than life. If we are to truly say that "all lives matter," we have to start by having a life in the first place.

5. The men in this film are the unsung heroes. I hear the argument time and time again that men have no place in making decisions about women's bodies. What surprised me the most was the quiet but active role the men took in Abby Johnson's story. The Founder of the Coalition for Life, Shawn Carney, and Abby Johnson's husband, Doug, are two men in the story who showed me that men absolutely do have a voice when it comes to abortion even though it is typically classified as a "women's rights issue." Far from being unkind or judgmental, both of these men play a crucial role in Abby's conversion. Doug Johnson supports his wife although he disapproves of her career. Shawn Carney speaks the truth to Abby while refraining from using combative language like "baby-killer." In the end, their compassion provides a safe place for Abby to land when she decides to leave her position at Planned Parenthood.

And I think that's what's going to change hearts and lead others to conversion: Truth and compassion. No one wants to hear that they're terrible people for the decisions they make. No one wants to be judged when they're in a situation that makes them feel afraid or alone. When facing these challenges, people need to know that they are loved and that someone is willing to walk with them through the storm. I really believe that people want to do good, be good and promote good. This movie does just that.