Protecting the Next Generation, Church Taking the Role of God More Seriously

In the coming weeks, a controversial proposition, that is calling Christians to vote, will be placed on a special election in California that would prevent minors from having an abortion without paren
Oct 19, 2005 05:05 PM EDT

In the coming weeks, a controversial proposition, that is calling Christians to vote, will be placed on a special election in California that would prevent minors from having an abortion without parental notification.

On Nov 8, both sides will be able to vote on Proposition 73 that says doctors must notify the parents of a minor seeking an abortion within 48 hours of the procedure.

Abortion rights advocate groups such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL are openly opposing Proposition 73, saying that it would put California's teens at risk.

"Some daughters don't want to disappoint their parents. Other daughters know that telling their parents would get them kicked out of the house, beaten or worse," NARAL posted on their website.

They also believe that communication begins at home with the family and the government has no place to intrude on personal affairs.


Meanwhile, a panel of respected individuals in the Chinese Christian community disagreed saying that Prop 73 is important in preserving the parent's role.

In the press conference on Tuesday, they wanted to get the message out to Chinese citizens that they need to vote on Prop 73 and the Church also needs to take part in making sure this measure passes.

On the panel, Rev. Thomas Wang, chairman of Great Commission Center International, said that the Church is not a reference to the four-wall building where Christians hold Sunday services, but the Church represents Christians who have held back on political issues such as abortion.

Saying that we have lost the "moral upbringing in our lives" because of post-modernism, Rev. Wang said that Christians have a "responsibility to every generation."

"When we see the society is going to go downhill, we know that the church is not doing their job. They are not acting as light and salt," he said. That's why, "the church should take the role of God more seriously," he added.

Rev. Wang continued on and commented on the role of the parents saying that they should be a model for their children, showing love and being faithful and allowing this to continue on to the next generation.

Moreover, parents need to protect children from "possible pitfalls," such as going through with an abortion. Rev. Wang said, "In her spirit and conscience it's going to be something that will remain in her life, so the parents have a deep responsibility to their children."

"When you have children you know you can give them the liberty to make certain decisions. Give them the benefit of the doubt, and they can learn from it," but for other decisions that have no "second chances," parents will not let their children decide "on serious matters like abortion," Rev Wang said.

"Chinese are well know for loving our families and taking care of them."

The speakers on the panel included, Rev. Luke Poon, senior pastor of Peninsula Chinese Alliance Church, Rev. David Fung, pastor of West Valley Christian Alliance Church, Thomas Fung, chairman of Chinese Family Alliance, Dr. Bill Tam, chairman of Support Traditional Marriages, Lawrence Chan, president and professor of theology at America Chinese Evangelical Seminary, Rev. Wai Wing Lam, pastor of Chinese Church In Christ of Mountainview and chairman of Bay Area Chinese Ministerial Fellowship, Gloria Ting an elder of GCCI and one of the founders of Tokyo International Church, and Rev. Thomas Wang.