13 Nov, 2007
Teen Wins Fight for Antiabortion Club at School
For Stephanie Hoffmeier, it came down to believing in a power higher than a school system.
With prayer, persistence and a lawsuit against the Stafford County schools, the 16-year-old recently succeeded in starting what might be the region's only antiabortion club in a public high school. The Pro-Life Club, which attracted about 20 people to its first gathering, also promotes teen sexual abstinence as well as opposing abortion. Hoffmeier said her legal fight was a matter of equity.
"We just wanted the same rights as other clubs," Hoffmeier said in an interview last week at her Fredericksburg home. "It's not a radical thing to expect equal treatment."
Asked why she started the club, Hoffmeier said: "I feel God has put it on my heart for a pretty long time."
School administrators initially turned down Hoffmeier's request to start the club at Colonial Forge High School on the grounds that it was not tied to the school curriculum. She filed suit in federal court contending that her proposal could not be denied when other clubs are allowed to form on campus. The suit put a spotlight on an often-misunderstood legal arena involving religion in public schools. Even some advocates of strict separation of church and state say religious speech by students at public school is protected under the Constitution and federal law.
School officials, conceding they were wrong, officially recognized the club Oct. 24, and Hoffmeier dropped the suit.
photo & story courtesy msnbc.msn.com, 11/6/07
Taking A Stand!
2 Chronicles 28:3 (NLT)
3 He offered sacrifices in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, even sacrificing his own sons in the fire. In this way, he followed the detestable practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.
How does today's God's Story scripture connect to today's abortion issue?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
28:3 Imagine the monstrous evil of a religion that offers young children as sacrifices. God allowed the nation of Judah to be conquered in response to Ahaz's evil practices. Even today the practice hasn't abated. The sacrifice of children to the harsh gods of convenience, economy, and whim continues in sterile medical facilities in numbers that would astound the wicked Ahaz. If we are to allow children to come to Christ (Matthew 19:14), we must first allow them to come into the world.
The story of King Ahaz killing innocent children is sobering. But it pales in comparison to the stories of the millions of innocent preborn babies who have been aborted in our world today. Sadly, many people who claim to be "Christians" have bought into the lie that abortion is just a political issue and not a moral and spiritual issue.
God's Word is very clear on the fact that a society faces consequences when it kills innocent children.
16-year-old Stephanie Hoffmeier is doing something that fewer and fewer followers of Christ are doing - she is taking a stand!
God will use her courage in the lives of yet to be born children.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for the gift of life! Pray that His Truth that every life is sacred and has eternal value will be recognized by our culture. Pray against abortion in our culture. Ask God to show you how to make a difference in a way that would honor Jesus.
- Commit yourself to praying for the unborn in our culture at least once a week.
- Read the whole story of King Ahaz in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?
- Use today's story about Stephanie starting up the antiabortion club to talk to a friend about the value of every life. Ask your friend what they think? Be careful to not get "political" or "preachy", but simply share today's scripture and ask your friend what he or she thinks about it? It may give you the opportunity to talk more about your story and the way God sees you and your friend.
- Look for ways to volunteer at a pro-life ministry. Choose one that shows love, grace and forgiveness. Those who are struggling with a decision about abortion need the love of Jesus, not condemnation from angry people who call themselves Christians.
- Write a letter to your leaders in government, encouraging them to protect the lives of the unborn. Make sure you write with the love and grace of Christ.
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