It's 'Choice on Earth' time again

'Choice on Earth' card by Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood's "Choice on Earth" Christmas cards are back for a fourth year, once again drawing criticism from pro-life groups, which call the alteration of familiar biblical text sacrilegious.

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"One would think the highly paid Planned Parenthood leadership would have received the message last year when they faced strong censure for selling these profane cards," said Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International.

"They are either slow learners or just plain anti-Christian," he declared.

The card is featured prominently on Planned Parenthood's website with the message, "Send the Gift of Choice!"

"Tis the season to share with family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones the messages of 'Choice on Earth' or 'Peace Hope Justice,'" reads the abortion provider's promotional statement.

With an online donation, Planned Parenthood will "send one of our five Choice on Earth e-cards to your loved ones, to let them know you have made a very special gift in their honor."

The website says the "tax-deductible holiday gift will help Planned Parenthood fight to ensure that women's health and rights are championed across the country – from your local pharmacy to the U.S. Supreme Court."

The cards come in two styles: blank or with the message, "Warmest wishes for a peaceful holiday."

Scott declared: "Everybody knows that the abortion-committing monster that is Planned Parenthood has so much money, much of which comes from American taxpayers, that it does not need to resort to such disrespectful deeds."

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Three years ago, outcry about the cards in the media, Planned Parenthood claimed, actually spiked sales of the items, as well as "Choice on Earth" T-shirts.

Last year, Jim Sedlak, executive director of American Life League's STOPP International, said the cards were part of Planned Parenthood's "continual attempt to normalize abortion."

"Contrary to the open-minded image the abortion organization aims to present for itself, Planned Parenthood has zero tolerance for anyone – or any religious group – that recognizes abortion as an evil act that kills a pre-born baby," he said.

The controversial theme is derived from a passage in the Gospel of Luke, where an angel announces to shepherds the birth of their savior in Bethlehem.

2002 'Choice on Earth' card by Planned Parenthood

The King James version of the Bible states: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

"By replacing 'peace' with 'choice,' or more accurately, 'killing the innocent on earth,' Planned Parenthood is essentially saying 'abortion on earth,'" Sedlak said. "This blatant mockery of Christian values – and of Christ Himself – truly demonstrates the bigoted, anti-religion, anti-God nature of Planned Parenthood."

Previous stories:

'Choice on Earth' back for 3rd straight year

'Choice on Earth' returns for encore

Is 'Choice on Earth' 'Abortion on Earth'?