Last Friday, December 18th; Reverend Cynthia Abrams of the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society sent out an e-mail to all United Methodists in Nebraska asking them to urge Senator Nelson to vote for the Healthcare Bill even though it supported abortion funding. It appears that this was one of the reasons that Ben Nelson finally folded on Saturday and became the 60^th vote.
     It will surprise many North Carolina United Methodists to learn that their perception of a conservative Christian Denomination has not been a reality for many years. Back in 1972, the pro-abortion liberal wing of the Methodist Church took over General Conference and established a pro-abortion stand. For decades the conservative majority in the pews has watched their often liberal theological governing body shift further leftward by condoning sin.
     The e-mail by Reverend Abrams is another behind the scenes move to intimidate and dominate those who believe Abortion is the Sin of; Murder. The killing in the womb is really not unlike King Herod’s decree to slaughter infants under the age of two, just earlier.
     I find it hard to imagine that given the pressures of the day and their humanness that Joseph and even Mary did not have a fleeting moment of indecision and consideration of the possibility of abortion. Abortion methods were known then by instrument and potion. In the religious world and culture of their time, Mary could have been stoned to death for the pregnancy. Joseph, a man of compassion was going to quietly divorce Mary and let others decide how to treat her and the child. But God intervened and sent his Angel to Joseph. Both Joseph and Mary did the right thing, they both obeyed God. They did not abort Jesus!
     So here we are at Christmas and Christians like; Senator Nelson, a United Methodist  often feel pressured, cajoled and taken to task for their moral stand. Hard to believe! But, take heart anti-abortion Methodists and conservative Pro Lifer’s of any religion, change is coming, not only in the Methodist Denomination, but others as well. According to John Lomperis of the Institute of Religion and Democracy, change has been slowly happening in the UMC since the 80’s and radicals like Reverend Abrams are losing their grip. The next General Conference meets in 2012 and interestingly this again will be a big Election Year not only for United Methodist Conference delegates, but our Nation as well.
    We within our various churches and all “Men of Good Will” must fight Evil where ever it appears. We have been warned by the Child grown into Messiah that evil never appears as evil it is always seductive, but deadly. So, stand up for the unborn, do the next right thing, no matter how difficult. Send an e-mail to the Reverend James Winkler, Secretary General of the United Methodist Church at jwinkler@umc-gbcs.org or Reverend Cynthia Abrams at cabrams@umc-gbcs.org ask them if abortion is really what is ordained by God.  Then send an e-mail to Senator Nelson at http:// bennelson.senate.gov/contact-me.cfm and ask him to reconsider his vote with conscience and not visions of sugar plums. 

Austin M. “Gus” Wilgus
117 Heverly Drive
Emerald Isle, NC 29594 

252-354-3081