What an infuriating story. The Chicago Tribune (aka MSM) reports:
The unmarried mother’s story about giving birth to a child diagnosed as terminally ill in the womb hit a major nerve on the Internet.
Every night for the past two months, thousands of pro-life moms across the nation logged on to a blog run by the suburban Chicago woman who identified herself only as “B” or “April’s Mom.”
People said they prayed that God would save her pregnancy. They e-mailed her photos of their children dressed in pink, bought campaign T-shirts, shared tales of personal heartache and redemption, and sent letters and gifts to an Oak Lawn P.O. Box in support
By Sunday night, when “April’s Mom” claimed to have given birth to her “miracle baby” – blogging that April Rose had survived a home birth only to die hours later – her Web site had nearly a million hits.
There was only one problem with the unfolding tragedy: None of it was true.
Not the pregnancy, and not the photos posted on the blog of the supposed mother and Baby April Rose, swaddled in white blankets. The baby was actually a lifelike doll, which immediately raised the suspicion of loyal blog-followers.
A few thoughts:
Those of us who love “user generated content” have to remember that we don’t know how much of it is 100%, 100% fake, or somewhere in between (hence, it may be that actual “journalism” still has a role in American society)
Getting people to pray for a scam? Manipulating people’s love of God, their inner-most compassionate impulses? Getting people to twist their own relationships with the divine for a fake tragedy? Stunning.
Pro-lifers (and any pro-choicers out there thinking of comparable scams): each time something like this happens, people will trust stories like this less. Women who have real stories like this will now be believed a bit less.
posted June 12, 2009 at 11:44 am
Isn’t this where folks should say “take everything on the internet with a LARGE grain of salt.”
posted June 12, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Thank goodness we have an understanding GOD..and He knows when His believers are being dupped. I believe the consquences for the “scammer” are worse under these circumstances. We are not to sit in judgement..for we don’t want to be judged as we would have judged the scammer…God is our Avenger.
posted June 12, 2009 at 3:30 pm
You make it sound like all that prayer was a waste. I’m sure God is REALLY ticked off that all these people were wasting his time praying for a “scam”. That isnt even a point that can be made.
I’m not a believer. I dont pray.
But even a non-believer would have felt sorry for this woman. I doubt it was a direct dig at christians, and I’d like to hear HER side of the story and find out why she did it… not focus on the fact that people wasted some of their prayer quota on her and start with the name calling. Grotesque con-woman? Seriously. How very Christian-like…
posted June 13, 2009 at 10:43 am
Waldman isn’t Christian, last time I checked.
And what exactly is wrong about what grotesque con-lady du jour pulled? She gave those viewers exactly what they wanted – some good old fashioned emotion porn – something over which they could indulge their sense of drama, pity, and grief.
Much like watching a weepy movie – except amped up a notch or three.
Ya get what ya pay for.
posted June 14, 2009 at 11:58 am
Why is this such a surprise? The anti-choice clearly feel murder is an acceptable means of achieving their goal of controlling women’s bodies and enforcing the act or pregnancy. Lying, in comparison to what was done to Dr. Tiller for providing a legal service, is chump change.
posted June 14, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I was sadly one of her followers, I would have been happy to still continue to read her blog had she had a diclaimer somewhere to state that this isn’t a true story.
Oh well, at least I didn’t pray-give money-send gifts to her.
Get help Becky B.
posted April 8, 2011 at 11:33 am
Awesome, I really enjoyed reading your article sir, thank you very much for sharing it with us, good work sir!