Phil Cooke

Juno is an interesting film. Its been criticised by some of the snootier Christian critics who say its only pro-life by default and indifferent on the issue of pre-marital sex. But I still think its a huge step in the right direction, and as you say, a far more effective argument than the silly rhetoric of much of the pro-life movement (I for one have never been able to understand the hypocrisy of how someone can claim to be pro-life yet support the death penalty, but hey, I’m a Brit and we’ve moved on from such barbarism).

In addition, its an interesting film to contrast with 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days which is about a woman who assists her friend to arrange an illegal abortion in 1980′s Romania. Although this film doesn’t gloss over the horrors of abortion, it is nevertheless a pro-choice (or pro-mother’s choice as I prefer to call it) argument for abortion within a legal framework.

Its also interesting how the foul-mouthed but brilliant Knocked Up was also pro-life by default.

Not sure how many of you have seen Juno, but I evjoyed the movie overall (despite some of the artistic choices made in the script). However, I did not walk out of the theater thinking "hey, this was a pro-life movie". Now, granted I saw the movie before it got a lot of its attention and was able to go in without much prior knowledge, so I wasn't looking for anything like that. I thought the movie was touching and reached its "pro-life" conclusion not so much by default, but becuase I think people watching a movie cannot empathize with a character who has an abortion. I know deep down most people know there is something wrong with abortion and don't like to see it up close. Since many abortions are done "under cover", it is easy to stand far off and say "I think women should have the choice". But when faced with the gritty reality we tend to be more pro-life. This is just a generalization obviously.

Simon, as to your point about being pro-life and pro death penalty, this is probably not the forum to discuss it. But I would say I have done some hard thinking in this area and have come to the conclusion that it is not a contradiction to take that position.

I hope that Christians do not "miss the boat" on these kinds of films.

The abortion story still needs to be told by Christians.  I love what I am hearing about Juno, but if you guys what to take this subject and do a story, consider:

1 in 3 women — in the church and out–over 45 has had an abortion

The ones in the church–for the most part–tell no one for fear of being judged.  Their scars never heal, grace escapes them because the church doesn't know to reach out to them.

Every day I minister to…

…14 years olds who have had an abortion and have not told their parents, their grief for their baby overwhelming, their shame and fear keeping them from telling the two people who need to be there for them

…young teens who had their mom physically held them down and force them to abort.  They are so angry, so sick with grief.

…nice church girls (one in seminary!) who made a mistake and "could not get caught" and now so regret what they did

…middle age women with families who have never confessed to their husband that one day years ago they had an abortion and are terrified their family will find out, but they live daily with the shame and guilt

My point is there is much to be told here…go to http://www.afterabortion.com, it is a secular site and look around.  Be prepared to be bled on.  Tens of thousands of women in pain after abortion in their past. 

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All sources of media change our culture. Movies tend to do that even more because they have a deeper impact upon children. They compare themselves to the characters they see and worship in movies.