This weekend the powerful movie Unplanned was released in theaters nationwide, surprising many with a strong opening. Unplanned tells the true story of what happened to Abby Johnson, a former clinic director of Planned Parenthood who left the abortion industry after 8 years. The Planned Parenthood clinic Abby served was one of the most profitable clinics in the country. After leaving Planned Parenthood; Abby started a ministry for compassionate outreach to abortion workers, And Then There Were None, which has assisted over 500 abortion workers in leaving the abortion industry.
This film, which I believe everyone should see regardless of where they stand on abortion, highlights two important facts. First is that there really are people who believe they are doing good in advancing abortion. It is easy for those of us who know of the inherent dignity of every human person from the moment of conception to think, “this person should know that they are doing evil.” Indeed, they should know. The natural law written on our hearts should guide us to recognize these truths. But we are wounded individuals, good at rationalization and misguided compassion, and it is easy to overlook or justify evil because of what one erroneously perceives to be a greater good. Abby sincerely thought she was helping vulnerable women through her work at Planned Parenthood. Many more in our culture do evil and think they are doing good. This should give us hope that with prayer, lovingly pointing out the evil, and living in the truth, true conversion is possible.
Secondly, Unplanned shows that true compassion does not mean turning a blind eye to sin or evil. In the film, Abby’s parents and her husband express their opinion firmly and lovingly that what she is doing is not right. This is true compassion. It is difficult to tell someone the truth, but love that pretends that evil is not evil and that we will not be accountable for our actions is not love at all. Shawn Carney and his team at 40 Days for Life loved and prayed Abby out of Planned Parenthood. Conversion can occur when we beg God for it and love people in truth.
The movie is difficult to watch. It is heart-wrenching and raw. But it gives hope that truth triumphs and that love wins. So do yourself a favor: go see Unplanned. Invite someone who might need some true compassion—perhaps someone who is pro-abortion or unaware of what Planned Parenthood stands for. This film may be God’s way of changing their heart.
