Very often we have to publish bad news and don’t get to report the other side because the abortion industry and its supporters can be so laden with justification and defense. However, that’s not always the case. The publishers of the Komen Here’s Hope Cancer Awareness Bible have responded to criticism that they are giving money to an organization that gave over half a million dollars last year alone to the nation’s number one abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, and have announced they are pulling the Bible from the shelves for this very reason.
The true test of character isn’t always if one makes a mistake, but if one takes action to correct a mistake. B&H Publishers, and affiliate of LifeWay has taken action to correct their Komen mistake.
Here’s the entire text of their statement.
We made a mistake.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, B&H Publishing Group released to several mass market retailers a Cancer Awareness Bible as a way to place God’s Word into the hands of those suffering through breast cancer. As part of the project, B&H agreed to donate $1 from the sale of each Bible to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for breast health education, screening and treatment programs.
As this project has developed, we realized it was a mistake.
When our leadership discovered the overwhelming concern that some of Komen’s affiliates were giving funds to Planned Parenthood, we began the arduous process of withdrawing this Bible from the market. Though we have assurances that Komen’s funds are used only for breast cancer screening and awareness, it is not in keeping with LifeWay’s core values to have even an indirect relationship with Planned Parenthood.
B&H’s mission to advance the gospel through distribution of God’s Word is unchanged, so we will continue to seek innovative ways that are in keeping with LifeWay’s core values.
Thom S. Rainer
President and CEO
LifeWay Christian Resources
Thank you, Mr. Rainer and LifeWay for doing the right thing.
Although it’s regrettable this happened, we can pray the controversy will bring more awareness to Komen’s unwise giving practices. We commend LifeWay for choosing the right path, even at what was likely their own expense. This choice honors God above money. We pray God will bless that.