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MARK RODENHAUSER
Life Athletes Questionaire
Mark Rodenhauser
Pittsburgh Steelers, Center
6-5, 280 lbs. Illinois State
11 Year Veteran
An Interview with Mark Rodenhauser
Chris Godfrey: Why do you actively oppose Abortion?
Mark Rodenhauser: Well, basically I believe that the Lord is
the one who creates life, we don't have the right to decide who lives or
who dies. Abortion is basically people trying to make a decision they
don't have a right to make.
Chris: When did you first come to this position?
Mark: Well, before I accepted Christ I kind of had the
typical kind of attitude of non-believers. Whatever the situation, if
they don't really want it, or if it might be inconvenient, or if they'll
grow up to be a degenerate or something like then abortion was alright
with me. But that changed when I accepted Christ, and I read
scripture. I don't know the exact verse, but I can paraphrase it: "Before
you were born, I knew you." That to me is an example of life beginning at
conception. Abortion is deciding that before that person is visible, that
we can terminate the child's life. As I thought about it, I realized that
we don't have the right to decide. That's when a child is most unable to
protect itself - and that's when people choose to terminate its
life.
Chris: What Pro-Life activities do you find the most effective or
meaningful?
Mark: Actually, the most effective thing is to sit down
and discuss with people face to face, to talk to them and get their views
and see why they feel the way they do. If they believe that abortion is
alright, I would ask them, "why do you believe this?""Have you even
thought about what it is that you believe in?" I think that most people
have a very cavalier attitude about it. "Yeah, it's okay." or "Yeah, in
certain circumstances, it's alright". But it's surprising, for such a
serious issue, it gets such a cursory amount of attention.
I think that for the most part, people accept information that's given
to them. They don't research it. They don't involve themselves. They have
a very casual attitude about something that's extremely important. They
don't want to see it. They want to close their eyes and ignore it.
However, when people are confronted with the reality of it, they realize
that it's not something that can be taken lightly. God is the only one
that can grant life. We certainly don't have the right to take
it.
Chris: Do you have a message for young people?
Mark: Yes, I would say that the most important thing for
young people to understand is that if you are a believer, you must seek
the Lord. You will then see the bigger picture. Many times, young kids see
things with a very shortsighted view. They think that the medical field
can take care of the problem for them. If a child is conceived, all they
want to do is get out of the problem pregnancy. The best thing for kids
to do is realize that the behavior that results in creating life has very
serious repercussions.
If you are going to make adult decisions, that is to behave as an adult,
you then have to accept the responsibilities that go along with it. I
think that the Lord is very clear on how He wants us to behave. So, I
would just say to kids to think about what they're doing and realize that
another life is involved.
Chris: How about athletes, would you have a message for them?
Mark: We're put in a position of, in a stretch of the
word, of importance. A lot of times things come very easily to us. Sex
is something that's taken very lightly; as something that is almost
considered a perk to being an NFL player. We have to realize that it's
not a game, it's not really being a man to be involved sexually and not
take the responsibility of insuring that the child is brought up with a
father and a mother and a productive family relationship.
I think that we just need to realize that it's
not a game. When another life is brought into the picture it changes
everything and that God has a plan for every life that comes into this
world. We need to recognize that being a parent is a great blessing, and
we need to respond in kind.
I think the whole thing boils down to thinking before you do and seeking
guidance. If you were going to go and buy a car, you would get somebody's
opinion on it and you just wouldn't just get one. In a nut shell, think
before you do, and realize that you're behavior affects other people's
lives - especially those of unborn children who have no voice at
all.
Chris: Last question, any message for those who have been
involved in an abortion?
Mark: I would have to say that the most important thing
to remember is that God forgives us for everything that we do and if you
do get involved in a situation and you make bad choices, it doesn't make
you unworthy of God's forgiveness. God sent Christ into the world to
forgive us all for our sins. You can learn and grow from that situation
and help others who may be on the borderline of making that decision. God
can use you as a witness to others to help save the lives of those who
might be in jeopardy.
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