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Posted on 06/09/2004 5:21:27 PM PDT by Coleus
Answering Pro-Abortion Politicians
If you've ever written to a pro-abortion politician about the right to life, you've probably received a form letter that utilizes one of several worn-out arguments. Let's review how we answer them.
1. "I respect your views, but I have to represent all the people." Our response: That's what we're trying to say to you. If you neglect the unborn, you are not representing all the people. Roe vs. Wade excludes them from protection; we demand that they be included. A public servant cannot legitimately ignore an entire segment of the public that is being destroyed.
2. "I'm personally opposed to abortion, but can't impose my views on others." Our response: This is not a matter of views, but of violence. The law is supposed to protect human life despite the views of those who would destroy it.
3. "The government should not be involved in such a personal decision as abortion." Our response: The government got "too involved" in abortion when it claimed to have the authority to deprive some human beings of their right to life. The Declaration of Independence asserts that government exists to secure the rights already bestowed by the Creator. Moreover, when somebody's "choice" destroys somebody else's life, that choice is no longer merely a personal, private matter.
4. "Legislators should not be practicing medicine." Our response: We're not asking you to practice medicine, but to prevent the abuse of medicine. The practice of medicine is regulated by all kinds of laws that protect the lives of patients. All we ask is that the unborn be included in that protection.
5. "Abortion is the law of the land." Our response: The "law of the land" can be changed, just as it was changed regarding slavery and segregation. Leadership means seeing the injustices that others miss, and inspiring people to utilize the methods the law permits to make necessary changes.
6. "I support women's rights and health." Our response: That is precisely why you should examine the evidence, which is more plentiful than ever, that abortion is destructive of women's health, and listen to the growing voices of those who have been harmed by abortion. That is also why you should examine how the abortion industry, through unregulated and dangerous clinics, continues to deceive and exploit women.
7. "Abortion is just one of many issues; I embrace a consistent ethic of life." Our response: The foundation of a house is only one of many parts of the house, but it is essential in order to build the other parts. That is why the Catholic bishops have repeatedly asserted that among the many interrelated issues within a consistent ethic, abortion deserves "urgent attention and priority " (Pastoral Plan, 2001).
8. "My office does not involve any decision-making about abortion." Our response: Your position on abortion says a lot about your character and worldview. If you cannot stand up for the smallest of children, how will you stand up for the rest of us?
9. "Let's just agree to disagree." Our response: We have the greatest respect for those who disagree with us. But when victims are oppressed, we don't sit back and "agree to disagree" with the oppressor. Rather, we intervene to save the victim. Abortion is not about beliefs; it's about bloodshed. Those who need protection need it despite the disagreement of others.
10. Finally, always use the best response to all the arguments: I vote!
A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters No one seemed to care at the clinic
Politicians and Communion - Bishop Thomas Wenski, May 3, 2004
Homily of Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, April 25, 2004 (pdf format)
Pastoral Letter on the Duties of Catholic Politicians and Voters - Bishop Michael Sheridan, May 2004 (pdf format)
Bishop Smith blasts hypocrisy of ‘pro-choice’ Catholic politicians (March 31, 2004)
Statements of our Bishops on Abortion and the Elections
American Life League - Abortion Choice Arguments Abortio1
Answering Pro-Life Arguments Abortion Responses Arguments and Rebuttals
Catholic Morality: Pro-Life Resources: Fighting Abortion Arguments
Amazon.com: Books: ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments
Argument #2 (a Kerry fave) is the nice way that pro-aborts say "MY children deserve life. YOURS don't."
The elections of 2004 are a critical juncture for the future and direction of our nation.
This year voters will either defend the Culture of Life, or advance the culture of death. As Christians, we have a clear and moral obligation to register to vote and to carefully consider the candidates' position on the sanctity of LIFE when we cast our vote.
Christians are called to vote with a PROPERLY FORMED CONSCIENCE. This can be explained with one sentence from our LORD, which applies, even inside the voting booth, “Whatsoever you do to the least of these my brethren, you do to Me” (Mt.25:40). Internalize the following from Pope John Paul II, “Abortion and euthanasia are crimes, which no human law can claim to legitimize. In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to `take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or vote for it'” (Gospel of Life, No. 73).
What about the other issues? The US Bishops, in Faithful Citizenship bluntly say, "Calls to advance human rights are an illusion if the right to life itself is subject to attack." A powerful consideration from Fr. Frank Pavone, "If a candidate can't respect the life of a little baby, how is he supposed to respect ours?" From A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters: “A disqualifying issue is one which is of such gravity and importance that it allows for no political maneuvering. It is an issue that strikes at the heart of the human person and is non-negotiable. A disqualifying issue is one of such enormity that by itself renders a candidate for office unacceptable regardless of his position on other matters.” FIVE such disqualifying issues are Abortion, Euthanasia, Fetal Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and “Homosexual Marriage”.
Participation in the political process is a virtue, and every vote counts. Christians have every right to strive by legitimate means to shape public policy according to their moral convictions. We are each, individually, called to help build a Culture of Life-voting in defense of LIFE is among the most important ways.
Children waiting to be born cannot speak for themselves--we are their voice. We must speak up in their defense at the voting booth. If we do not, millions more will never be allowed to speak.
http://cpforlife.org/id126.htm
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I know I'll get flamed, but trying to make abortion an issue of law is tilting at windmills.
Wealthy and women with savings who are so inclined will always have access to abortion. Whether we endorse such actions (and I don't) it remains a cold hard fact that it's going to happen.
And rich people can buy pricey lawyers and get away with murder too. So we should avoid prosecuting murderers? Sounds like typical lib-think. (In fact, as I recall, Mario Cuomo did in fact argue that the state should pay for abortions for the poor because otherwise they couldn't have as many of them as the rich get.)
Abortion is murder, genius.
In case you are unaware, Our beloved Ronald Reagan signing into law in California that abortion was not illegal.
Speeding will always happen too, so will prostitution, doesn't mean we should make it legal. We need to change behavior, stress morals, religious values, marriage, abstinence, etc. even the rates among the rich will go down. And if it is against the law, any Dr. caught performing abortions on the rich will get arrested which will save more lives in the long run.
Murder, child murder, child abuse are not issues of law?
Our forefathers knew that the right to life is paramount (listing it as our first God-Given Right in the Declaration of Independence) and given to us by God; therefore, we Honor God by defending the right to life, a right given to us by our Creator. That's why the Bill of Rights was written and passed into law to make sure that are Guarantee of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is an issue of law and the creation of our Government was instituted among men to secure these basic God-given rights.
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Newflash: abortion and prostitution, child abuse and murder have been around for millenium.
What hubris to think that our generation can fix it!
Right. And murders will be committed. So I guess we need to decriminalize murder.
What hubris to think that our generation can fix it!>>
With God's help we can do anything. Have faith.
I'd like to think that as well. However, that is Magical Thinking.
We all know children who think "if only I wish upon my star every night, EVERYthing will be okay!"
I know we all send up prayers to our Lord. Human nature is corrupt and will be always.
Please don't post that picture. My children run in and out of the room.
See above. We already have.
You're aiming at the emotions, and emotionalism makes for bad law, O.C. Besides, as everyone knows, those who cannot argue their points through logic and words always rely on a little shock therapy.
No law is perfectly enforceable. Wealthy people who want to get get away with a lot of things: fraud, money laundering, rape, even murder. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to stop them. Plus, most abortions are procured middle to lower income women, so at least we'll be saving some babies.
We can't perfectly solve our social problems, but we can make them less bad. We can't stop all abortions by outlawing them, but we can greatly reudce the number.
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