"THE Unplanned CENSORSHIP OF THE ABBY JOHNSON STORY" - Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, April 01, 2019; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20190401/unplanned-censorship [AS I SEE IT: I was privileged last week to see this movie several days before the official opening with several hunded others. It's power can only be compared with the movie "The Silent Scream" (in which a former abortionist describes an abortion through sonogram images) almost 40 years ago. It presents the horror of abortion and the spiritual blindness of those participating in this ongoing Holocaust. I cannot urge YOU strongly enough to find out where and when the movie is showing in your area [https://unplannedtickets.com/], take some friends to go and see it, including your pastor and church leaders. [BTW, don't let the R rating keep you from taking even some mature middle school youngsters to go and see it.] And PRAY that it will be inspiring for many and life affirming for others who view it. - Stan]
"We are thrilled, gratified, and humbled," co-directors Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman said Sunday. "We are so pleased that the American people have responded with such an enormous outpouring of support at the box office... [W]e look forward to seeing what happens in the weeks ahead." Like Gosnell, the movie had a tough time getting visibility in the mainstream press. Several TV networks refused to sell advertising time to the project, while the Motion Picture Association of America tried to dissuade audiences with a Restricted rating.
But never underestimate pro-lifers. An outpouring of support helped Unplanned break through all of the obstacles, even earning a rare A+ from CinemaScore in the process. For the film's distributor, Pure Flix, it was the second-best start ever -- coming in just slightly behind God's Not Dead 2. For lead actress Ashley Bratcher, whose own story took a surprising twist when she got the job, the response is overwhelming. "I am blown away by the public response to Unplanned, as well as the box office numbers," she said. "Not only is it beyond my wildest dreams, but it has surpassed the expectations of critics across the country. Despite biased critic reviews written more like op-eds, the audience has spoken." Still, she pointed out, "the most rewarding thing about this weekend's opening is the flood of messages I've received from people experiencing healing and a change of heart."
That's exactly what social media giants like Twitter must be afraid of. After a blockbuster weekend for the film's social media page, the Unplanned account was mysteriously suspended -- just as followers jumped to 100,000. Coincidence? Investor Mike Lindell doesn't think so. "They don't want you to see this movie!" the My Pillow founder tweeted. "Make your voices heard and tell your friends to go see the movie this weekend!"
Frustrated, co-director Konzelman spoke out. "It's a sad state of affairs when the right to free speech gets shut down with the flick of a switch... Whether this was an executive decision by Twitter, or a reaction by Twitter to complaints from those opposed to the pro-life viewpoint, either reason is unacceptable." Actress Bratcher piled on. "If Twitter is committed to helping increase the 'openness and civility of public conversation' and to hold themselves 'accountable towards progress,' then what's with the censorship of a differentiating opinion?"
Fortunately, after a groundswell of protest started hitting Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's account, the page was suddenly live again. The social media giant insisted the suspension was an accident. Even so, the Unplanned account seems to be locked in a see-saw battle for followers, since tens of thousands seem to keep vanishing. PJ Media's Tyler O'Neil was one of the many people who tried -- unsuccessfully -- to follow the film's page and got an error message instead.
Of course, it's no mystery why social media would want to keep the movie quiet. Like most of the liberal platforms in America, they know how powerful the truth about abortion can be. That's why they've spent years hiding the violent reality of what happens behind Planned Parenthood's closed doors.
But this is one of those rare moments in time -- like Gosnell, like New York's abortion law -- when the pro-life movement has the opportunity to break through to the hearts and minds of millions of Americans. So what can you do? Go see the movie![https://unplannedtickets.com/] . If your local theater isn't playing the movie, call them up and demand it. Then have your friends do the same. Can a handful of movie tickets change the debate? Buy some and let's find out!
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
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"Twitter Suspended “Unplanned” Movie’s Account, Then Its Followers Mysteriously Disappeared" - Micaiah Bilger, APR 1, 2019; https://www.lifenews.com/2019/04/01/twitter-suspended-unplanned-movies-account-then-its-followers-mysteriously-disappeared/
“'Unplanned' Movie Opens in 5th Place Despite R Rating and Media Blackout, Expands to More Theaters" - Steven Ertelt, April 1, 2019; https://www.lifenews.com/2019/04/01/unplanned-movie-opens-in-5th-place-despite-r-rating-and-media-blackout-expands-to-more-theaters/
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PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is the one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer." - Stan
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Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
The women of the persecuted church—in April, Open Doors is focusing on this group crucial to the spread of the gospel and thriving of the global Body of Christ. Throughout the world,
women and girls are doubly persecuted: for their faith and for their gender. We invite you to step into their stories and pray with these sisters in Christ.
women and girls are doubly persecuted: for their faith and for their gender. We invite you to step into their stories and pray with these sisters in Christ.
April 3 | BANGLADESH - Pray that Open Doors’ training for women’s discipleship and
adult literacy training will bless local believers. Pray for safe travels and active participation.
*Names changed to protect identities
adult literacy training will bless local believers. Pray for safe travels and active participation.
*Names changed to protect identities
The Twitter issues the Unplanned movie is having is very interesting... sounds like shady business on part of Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie and thought it was great. It portrays the good, the bad, and ugly. It shows how those who work in abortion clinics are just regular people who truly believe they are helping women. It shows how some pro-lifers are mean while others are kind. It shows the desperate situation women with unplanned pregnancies are faced with, and how abortion is not the solution.
About the R rating. If you are thinking of going, there are three scenes in the film which one may find disturbing. The first scene, at the very start of the movie, shows how Abby Johnson (then the director of the abortion clinic) is called to help with an abortion and she sees via a sonogram how the baby literally fights for its life and is literally torn limb from limb. This is what causes her to quit her job and become pro-life. The second scene is where Abby Johnson, as a young woman, takes pills to abort her baby and it causes immense bleeding and pain for her, to the point where she thinks she is going to die. The third scene is where Abby, as a test to see if she is ready to become the clinic director, is taken to a POC (Products of Conception or "Pieces of Children") room where doctors reconstruct aborted fetuses to make sure they got all the pieces out of the womb. In this scene, an aborted fetus is laid out on the table for her to see.
There was a review that a pro-choice person wrote about Unplanned. She encourages everyone to go, regardless of their stance on the issue. To paraphrase what she said, if you go see this movie, then you will know what abortion is about and then you must ask yourself, "Am I okay with this?"
-herb