Courtesy of Heroic Media, three Christian men feel they owe you an apology. In this four-minute video — aptly titled “The Apology” — each man confesses to having had an abortion. Okay, it’s not quite that interesting — what they mean is that they went halfsies on a fetus with a woman who then got an abortion. But what they have to say is actually kind of sweet, apologizing to women for the way they’ve been treated by people in the church, the condemnation that has been piled on them, and the shame and guilt they might feel for the choice they made and/or felt they had to make because of such judgement. They apologize, as men, for not being supportive of women during a difficult time.
J/k! They’re sorry that abortion is available (quote: “I’m sorry that this is available”) and that there wasn’t a godly man around to stop you from doing what you felt was right for you. They could have had a healthy, giggling baby if they’d just stopped you from getting an abortion, but now they’ll never get to hang out with their cool kid. (Quote: “It would have been so cool to hang out with you here on earth.”) Because they didn’t stand up, make your choices for you, and make you bear their seed whether you wanted to or not.
But it’s okay, babykillers. Jesus will forgive you if you ask for it. And if you don’t know how, just look for the crying guy who had an abortion. He’ll show you the light.
Sentimental piano music is backed by strings. Close-up, off-angle shots of dewy, sad men show us that they’re really, really sad about something they’re going to tell us about. Intercut with the shots of their sadness is shots of healthy, giggling babies, much like the ones you’ve heartlessly killed, sinner.
DANIEL PHILLIPS. My name’s Daniel Phillips.
JOHN BLANDFORD. My name’s John Blandford.
SHANE IDLEMAN. My name is Shane Idleman.
PHILLIPS. I’m a believer in the—in the Lord Jesus.
BLANDFORD. I’ve been following Christ since 2001.
IDLEMAN. I’m the lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship.
BLANDFORD. I lead a home group, I disciple a couple of guys.
IDLEMAN. I write weekly for the Christian Post.
BLANDFORD. And, uh, I had an abortion.
PHILLIPS. I had two abortions.
IDLEMAN. I had an abortion.
BLANDFORD. So, I was 28, and I didn’t know God. I called myself a Christian, though, at the time, I’d go to church a couple of times a month. And I’d just started dating this gal, and she got pregnant.
PHILLIPS. We had a, uh, passive-aggressive stance. Um, I was neither here nor there, so I never even fought for the opportunity to save the child.
IDLEMAN. I conceded to an abortion. And even as a pastor, that decision still haunts me today. What would they look like, would it be a boy, would it be a girl. Their first step, saying “Daddy,” watching them grow. But those are just dreams. Dreams that often leave me heartbroken.
BLANDFORD. I should have manned up, and I should have fought for you, and… I didn’t. … I didn’t. … I’m so grateful that you are in heaven, with Jesus, the king of kings and lord of lords, and you got to see Him before I did. And I know you’re gonna extend me grace, but I just… It would have been so cool to hang out with you here on earth.
IDLEMAN. The pain of regret is one of the hardest pains to deal with, because the constant reminder that we let down God, we let down others, and we let down our child. And I know I’m not alone, because it’s been estimated that about one in three in the church have participated in an abortion. … If you’ve had an abortion, I am so sorry.
PHILLIPS. I’m so sorry.
BLANDFORD. I am so sorry.
PHILLIPS. I’m sorry for the burdens and the weight that you’ve had to carry.
BLANDFORD. I’m so sorry that women were subjected to such a terrible thing, and no one tried to rescue you.
IDLEMAN. I’m sorry for men not taking a greater stand in this area, and I’m sorry that the church has not been there for you.
BLANDFORD. I’m sorry that you’ve tried to hide this from everyone.
PHILLIPS. I’m sorry that… I’m sorry that this is available.
BLANDFORD. I am hopeful — so hopeful —
PHILLIPS. I am hopeful that this younger generation, you guys, just keep contending for life. As someone who’s been on both sides, I’m telling you, keep contending for life. That is my hope, and my hope’s to see a generation rise up and say, “You know what? No more.”
IDLEMAN. Someone should have been there to rescue you, but you do have a rescuer. We find hope, we find peace, in Christ. You don’t have to live in shame and darkness, you can run to God’s light of forgiveness and grace and mercy. And even though some maybe know this, but they really haven’t lived in that — they know that God’s mercy and grace is — is real, but they haven’t felt it. I would just encourage you to turn to Him, and allow that forgiveness to take place. Open up your heart, begin confession again, repentance, if warranted, and turn to him, and say, “Lord, I need you today to bring this cleansing and this — this forgiving aspect to my life. I want to feel that.” And God will do that, Jesus will honor that prayer.