"HOW AMERICANS THINK ABOUT ABORTION, AND WHAT PRO-LIFERS MUST LEARN" - John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera, Breakpoint.org, 08/19/20; https://www.breakpoint.org/how-american-think-about-abortion-and-what-pro-lifers-must-learn/
Recently, political scientist Michael J. New described the results of what’s being called “the largest known in-depth interview study of American attitudes on abortion” as “nuanced.” A better term would be “complicated,” or maybe even “not-at-all coherent.” This new study out of Notre Dame, entitled “How Americans Understand Abortion,” not only sought to determine what Americans believe about abortion, but why they believe it and which factors influenced those beliefs. Anyone who opposes abortion and is committed to protecting the preborn can learn much from the results.
For example, I found it fascinating that, according to the study, most Americans are simply not “particularly knowledgeable about the details of abortion.”
Those of us neck deep in the issue may find it unbelievable that anyone could be “unfamiliar with basic facts about fetal development or public policy,” or what Roe v. Wade actually did to America, or where state abortion laws currently stand. But many are, which makes the task of education, especially about the science and politics of abortion, a priority for pro-lifers. In fact, data suggests that many Americans would be shocked to learn how permissive our nation’s abortion laws are.
Another lesson to learn from this Notre Dame study is that we must do a better job publicizing the “life-affirming work done by the thousands of pregnancy help centers in the United States.” Much of the support for legal abortion is based on the fear “that children born after unintended pregnancies would be neglected,” and that “women would be adversely impacted by carrying an unintended pregnancy to term.” In other words, people are simply unaware that these old arguments, which date back to even before Roe itself (i.e., “who will care for these women and children”), have been substantially answered in incredible ways by pro-lifers everywhere. Easing concerns about whether help is available for women in unexpected or crisis pregnancies will be essential to any effective pro-life apologetic.
The most important lesson from this study, however, is just how deeply moral relativism is shaping the abortion debate. Though a large percentage of Americans dislike abortion, they are uncomfortable with making abortion illegal. The data is incredible. Even those who think that abortion should be legal know that something is wrong with it. And yet, they simply can’t imagine an alternative to the status quo.
“Successful pro-life outreach to this group,” New suggests, “is the key to creating a durable pro-life majority that will restore legal protection to the unborn.” In other words, in addition to the beautiful and brilliant work of caring for children and women in crisis, work the pro-life movement has excelled in for decades, we have to learn to make the case for life. By “we,” I mean “you” and “me.” We need to know the science surrounding abortion, so that “they” will know the science is on the side of life. We need to know how embryology and ultrasounds have only strengthened the case for the humanity of the fetus. The case is incredibly strong, in fact, but, as this study reveals, we can’t assume that Americans know. And if they know, we can’t assume they’ve connected the dots to the immorality of taking innocent preborn lives.
The case that abortion is wrong must be made alongside the case that abortion should be illegal, and not just by the “pro-life professionals.” If the Supreme Court manages to overturn Roe v Wade, and we should pray it does, the status and safety of preborn children will be decided on a state-by-state basis. Local law matters when it comes to abortion as much or even more than national law. After all, the law is a moral teacher. Many Americans think abortion should be legal simply because it is. That’s why pro-abortion forces oppose any restriction on abortion whatsoever as outrageous infringements on women. They must not allow a pro-life foot in the door.
Those of us who care about the unborn must help people know what they should know about abortion so they can make the connections they currently aren’t making.
The next Colson Center online short course, to be offered in September, will help you do just that. Pro-life apologist Scott Klusendorff will, over four successive Tuesdays, equip you to defend life and oppose abortion. Learn how to make the case for life with others in less than a minute. Learn the five bad ways people argue about abortion, how to answer objections to the pro-life position clearly and persuasively, and how to take the next (or maybe even first) step to putting your convictions to action.
Come to BreakPoint.org to register for our next short course: “Champion Life: How You Can Oppose Abortion and Defend the Unborn.” All sessions are recorded for your review, or in case you need to miss a live class session. Again breakpoint.org.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
RESROUCES:
"Register Here for Champion Life: How You Can Oppose Abortion and Defend the Unborn"-
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/champion-life-how-to-oppose-abortion-and-defend-the-unborn-tickets-116656836739
"How Americans Understand Abortion: A Comprehensive Interview Study of Abortion Attitudes in the U.S." - Tricia C. Bruce | Notre Dame | July 15, 2020; https://churchlife-info.nd.edu/en-us/how-americans-understand-abortion-a-comprehensive-interview-study-of-abortion-attitudes-in-the-u.s
"Is Abortion Really Wrong?" - Timothy D Padgett | Breakpoint | July 2, 2020; https://breakpoint.org/is-abortion-really-wrong/
"Is Abortion Health Care?" - Joseph Backholm | What Would You Say? | March 19, 2020; https://breakpoint.org/is-abortion-health-care/
Eunji: A brave NORTH KOREAn - North Korean women who have escaped to China are
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
For example, I found it fascinating that, according to the study, most Americans are simply not “particularly knowledgeable about the details of abortion.”
Those of us neck deep in the issue may find it unbelievable that anyone could be “unfamiliar with basic facts about fetal development or public policy,” or what Roe v. Wade actually did to America, or where state abortion laws currently stand. But many are, which makes the task of education, especially about the science and politics of abortion, a priority for pro-lifers. In fact, data suggests that many Americans would be shocked to learn how permissive our nation’s abortion laws are.
Another lesson to learn from this Notre Dame study is that we must do a better job publicizing the “life-affirming work done by the thousands of pregnancy help centers in the United States.” Much of the support for legal abortion is based on the fear “that children born after unintended pregnancies would be neglected,” and that “women would be adversely impacted by carrying an unintended pregnancy to term.” In other words, people are simply unaware that these old arguments, which date back to even before Roe itself (i.e., “who will care for these women and children”), have been substantially answered in incredible ways by pro-lifers everywhere. Easing concerns about whether help is available for women in unexpected or crisis pregnancies will be essential to any effective pro-life apologetic.
The most important lesson from this study, however, is just how deeply moral relativism is shaping the abortion debate. Though a large percentage of Americans dislike abortion, they are uncomfortable with making abortion illegal. The data is incredible. Even those who think that abortion should be legal know that something is wrong with it. And yet, they simply can’t imagine an alternative to the status quo.
“Successful pro-life outreach to this group,” New suggests, “is the key to creating a durable pro-life majority that will restore legal protection to the unborn.” In other words, in addition to the beautiful and brilliant work of caring for children and women in crisis, work the pro-life movement has excelled in for decades, we have to learn to make the case for life. By “we,” I mean “you” and “me.” We need to know the science surrounding abortion, so that “they” will know the science is on the side of life. We need to know how embryology and ultrasounds have only strengthened the case for the humanity of the fetus. The case is incredibly strong, in fact, but, as this study reveals, we can’t assume that Americans know. And if they know, we can’t assume they’ve connected the dots to the immorality of taking innocent preborn lives.
The case that abortion is wrong must be made alongside the case that abortion should be illegal, and not just by the “pro-life professionals.” If the Supreme Court manages to overturn Roe v Wade, and we should pray it does, the status and safety of preborn children will be decided on a state-by-state basis. Local law matters when it comes to abortion as much or even more than national law. After all, the law is a moral teacher. Many Americans think abortion should be legal simply because it is. That’s why pro-abortion forces oppose any restriction on abortion whatsoever as outrageous infringements on women. They must not allow a pro-life foot in the door.
Those of us who care about the unborn must help people know what they should know about abortion so they can make the connections they currently aren’t making.
The next Colson Center online short course, to be offered in September, will help you do just that. Pro-life apologist Scott Klusendorff will, over four successive Tuesdays, equip you to defend life and oppose abortion. Learn how to make the case for life with others in less than a minute. Learn the five bad ways people argue about abortion, how to answer objections to the pro-life position clearly and persuasively, and how to take the next (or maybe even first) step to putting your convictions to action.
Come to BreakPoint.org to register for our next short course: “Champion Life: How You Can Oppose Abortion and Defend the Unborn.” All sessions are recorded for your review, or in case you need to miss a live class session. Again breakpoint.org.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
RESROUCES:
"Register Here for Champion Life: How You Can Oppose Abortion and Defend the Unborn"-
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/champion-life-how-to-oppose-abortion-and-defend-the-unborn-tickets-116656836739
"How Americans Understand Abortion: A Comprehensive Interview Study of Abortion Attitudes in the U.S." - Tricia C. Bruce | Notre Dame | July 15, 2020; https://churchlife-info.nd.edu/en-us/how-americans-understand-abortion-a-comprehensive-interview-study-of-abortion-attitudes-in-the-u.s
"Is Abortion Really Wrong?" - Timothy D Padgett | Breakpoint | July 2, 2020; https://breakpoint.org/is-abortion-really-wrong/
"Is Abortion Health Care?" - Joseph Backholm | What Would You Say? | March 19, 2020; https://breakpoint.org/is-abortion-health-care/
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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
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 one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
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World-Wide Prayer Requests:
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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/
Mama Telesi: Displaced in the DRC. Mama Telesi is one of the thousands of internally displaced. Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her life has been filled with many hardships, including losing her husband 10 years ago. His death left her to fend for herself and her children in an area first plagued by persistent militant brutality and then by the
deadly Ebola outbreak. Even in her hardships, Mama Telesi remains thankful: “With all this
suffering, I just remember what my husband used to say … I tell myself God is in control. He will wipe away my tears. My husband taught me how to read the Word of God, and He tells me to give thanks in all situations, and that is what I do—it helps me.”
August 22 - Pray against attacks on Christians in the Congo. Christians are often forced to flee into overcrowded internal displacement camps.Eunji: A brave NORTH KOREAn - North Korean women who have escaped to China are
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
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