I’ve needed several days to get my thoughts together concerning the death of Dr. Bernard Nathanson. Before leaving Planned Parenthood, I knew little of him; only that he had been one of the founding members of NARAL, had a conversion, and produced “Silent Scream.”
My husband, Doug, attended a Christian high school and in his Theology class, they actually watched “Silent Scream.” One day while working at Planned Parenthood, Doug asked me if I had ever seen the film. I proclaimed that of course I had not and that I was not interested in watching that ridiculous propaganda.
The week I left Planned Parenthood, two things happened. I watched “Silent Scream” for the first time and read my first pro-life book, “The Hand of God” by Dr. Nathanson. I don’t think that was coincidence.
At the time, I didn’t even know what was coming; the lawsuit, the media, the critics. However, I had been aware that there were others like me, people like Dr. Nathanson. He had overcome his past and lived to glorify God. He gave me hope that I could do the same. He became a man of honor, honesty, and strong values. I had lacked those qualities for so long. I feared I would never be able to regain them. Dr. Nathanson helped me regain that hope.
He meant many things to many people, but I think for those of us who lived the deception, who have spoken the lie, he was something different. Dr. Nathanson was a game changer. He paved the way for conversion stories in this movement; he made it “acceptable” to go from pro-choice to pro-life, he makes US “acceptable.” We owe much to him.
Thank you, Dr. Nathanson.
Dear Abby,
I heard you on an EWTN World Over podcast today. The passing of Dr. N has been on my heart this week. Hearing your story is yet another example of God’s unlimited mercy.
This week a friend on Facebook wrote a long piece about her activism in the years prior to the Roe v Wade decision. She described “helping” dozens of girls secure abortions in those days. It was as you described- she sees herself as a hero.
I don’t think Facebook is a very fruitful territory for debate so I didn’t reply, although I was deeply saddened by her story. I think I will instead give her your book and include her in my prayers.
It sounds like both you & Dr N had a change of heart after seeing ultrasounds of abortions. Do you think that is a critical tool for people to discover the truth?
God bless you. Thank you for your work, and we will be praying for you!
Thank you Abby, for your strength and faithfulness in following what is true. I just just a blog defend you from those nitpicking some comments about rape.please don´t get discourage. In your walk towards the Catholic Church you will also find different camp of faithful, fundamental catholics, bickering among themselves. It must be human nature.
May the Holy spirit rest upon you and give you wisdom and peace.
Hi Abby, I love Dr. Nathanson, what a mind and what humility to admit publicly that he was wrong. And I can see how you would relate to him.I know that your life has got to be difficult now, and many people will attack you. So I just want to let you know that I pray for you every day. God bless, Julie
Abby, YOURS was the first pro-life book I read, and now I have just started Dr. Nathanson’s book, The Hand of God.
Thank you again for your courage and strength to keep up the good fight.
God Bless You, Abby.
~Jewels
Dear Abby,
Thank you so much for sharing this. I will be getting your book and Dr. Nathanson’s soon. Although I have never walked the path of abortion, my heart aches for those who have and those who have been aborted. In Christ, conversion is possible for anyone in any walk of life and it is such a rich blessing to see this in your life! I will be posting this article to my blog.
Thank you Abby for this post. I read Nathanson’s first book “Aborting America” years ago in which he details the deceptive tactics used by himself and the other co-founders of what became NARAL to help legalize abortion. Unfortunately it’s out of print but can be borrowed from libraries. It was published in 1979, years before he became a believer. His change to pro-life was not based on religion but like yours on ultrasound technology. I heard Dr. Nathanson speak in the 1990s, very inspirational. May he rest in peace. I also thought the timing of his death was interesting as God has raised you up for a new generation, as another abortion advocate changed largely through ultrasound images of the unborn.
Rich C.