Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Steve Mosher: A Vision of 'Hell' Brought Him to the Church
NC Register ^ | January 20, 2012 | JOAN FRAWLEY DESMOND

Posted on 01/20/2012 1:38:02 PM PST by NYer

FRONT ROYAL, Va. — Steve Mosher was a rising Stanford University social researcher, schooled in the academy’s received wisdom on matters like abortion and the “right to choose,” when he was suddenly thrown off course.

It was 1980, and he was the first U.S. social scientist to receive permission to study the impact of political changes in a remote Chinese village. The Communist Party’s one-child policy was in full force, and Mosher followed village women in their third trimester of pregnancy to the local facility where forced abortions were performed.

“They were crying, begging for mercy and praying for their dying children. It’s one thing to think about abortion in the abstract, but when you see a baby at seven-months gestation, it’s a baby — truly one of us,” said Steve Mosher, now the president of the Population Research Institute, recalling that fateful moment.

“It was as if the pit of hell opened up before me. All of the rationalizations were swept away by the brute facts — the humanity of these babies and their killing. I instantly realized that an abortion was the taking of a human life, and I became pro-life.”

The struggle to make sense of human suffering brings some converts into the Church, and others turn to Rome when the values of the world leave their souls undernourished. But the pro-life movement also draws people like Mosher, who kneel before the Eucharist after a long search for the origin of goodness and truth.

While the inconvenient moral teachings of the faith fuel both theological dissent and partisan attacks against the Church, pro-life activists like Mosher are attracted to its teachings precisely because they offer a consistent and coherent defense of innocent human life against the brutal power of a culture of death.

(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Moral Issues; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: abortion; china; mosher; prolife; stevemosher; stevenmosher
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Steve Mosher
1 posted on 01/20/2012 1:38:09 PM PST by NYer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...
Ultimately, he found that the “only organization consistently defending the sanctity of life from conception to natural death was the Catholic Church, which had preserved the fullness of the truth. Others had abandoned parts, if not all, of it.”

Catholic ping!

2 posted on 01/20/2012 1:39:47 PM PST by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer; EnglishCon; Bill W was a conservative; verga; thesaleboat; Sick of Lefties; Chainmail; ...
+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.


3 posted on 01/20/2012 1:44:05 PM PST by narses
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Great article. Thanks!


4 posted on 01/20/2012 1:49:11 PM PST by paterfamilias
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
As an educated biologist, there is no doubt in my mind - life begins at the moment of conception. Abortion is one of the greatest evils perpetrated on the Human Race.
5 posted on 01/20/2012 2:06:18 PM PST by ZULU (LIBERATE HAGIA SOPHIA!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Wow, great article. It really rips the mask off of euphemistic leftist phrases like “the right to choose”.


6 posted on 01/20/2012 2:09:42 PM PST by Sans-Culotte ( Pray for Obama- Psalm 109:8)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
“They were crying, begging for mercy and praying for their dying children. It’s one thing to think about abortion in the abstract, but when you see a baby at seven-months gestation, it’s a baby — truly one of us,” said Steve Mosher, now the president of the Population Research Institute, recalling that fateful moment...

“It was as if the pit of hell opened up before me. All of the rationalizations were swept away by the brute facts — the humanity of these babies and their killing. I instantly realized that an abortion was the taking of a human life, and I became pro-life.”

Good piece. Thanks for posting.

7 posted on 01/20/2012 2:11:10 PM PST by marron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ZULU

We aren’t Catholic at my house. I was raised Baptist, as a child, and have been Lutheran for about 40 years. Always Christian!

I have always been anti-abortion, as long as I was old enough to understand what Abortion is. It is the murder of a person. We are guaranteed three things in America,

Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.

Abortion takes away your first and most fundamental RIGHT! The Right to Life!


8 posted on 01/20/2012 2:25:21 PM PST by buffyt (Abortion is murder of a human life!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Sans-Culotte

My tagline here on FR used to be:

It is not a Choice,
It is a Child!


9 posted on 01/20/2012 2:26:41 PM PST by buffyt (Abortion is murder of a human life!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: marron

I did not know they had sent Mosher over to China. Now it all makes sense.


10 posted on 01/20/2012 2:36:02 PM PST by BenKenobi (Vindicated! Santorum wins IOWA!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Wow! Well worth the read at the link.


11 posted on 01/20/2012 2:53:33 PM PST by Bigg Red (Pray for our republic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer; All

Kudos and blessings to the Catholic Church for their unwavering stance for the unborn.....but don’t think for a second that they’re alone in Christendom. I’m an Evangelical, and I can absolutely assure you that the worldwide Evangelical church/movement (by far the fastest growing segment of the Christian church) is adamantly pro-life and always has been.


12 posted on 01/20/2012 3:37:28 PM PST by RightOnline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: buffyt

I like that!


13 posted on 01/20/2012 5:48:45 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: NYer
Steve Mosher: A Vision of 'Hell' Brought Him to the Church
Ex-Pentecostal preacher leads services {convert to Catholicism} - Ecumenical thread [Alex Jones and congregation]
A Deeper Look at the Many Evangelicals Turning Catholic
The Journey Home - August 22, 2011 - Former Pentecostal - Brent Stubbs

The Journey Home - August 1, 2011 - David Currie (former Fundamentalist)
Diocese (of Raleigh, NC) to Welcome 1,200 New Catholics at Easter Vigil Masses, [Catholic Caucus]
The Steady Stream Home [of people converting to the Catholic Church] Marcus Grodi
RCIA-ROUNDUP Apr-22-2011 - Dioceses around US welcome new Catholics at Easter [Catholic Caucus]
Easter vigil will welcome new Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Giving the Catholic Church a Chance Behind Bars (many converts)
Magazine: Growing Trend--Evangelicals ‘Crossing the Tiber’ to Catholicism
[Ecumenic] Dutch soccer player who scored winning goal against Brazil is Catholic convert
New Catholics a sign of Easter blessing for church (in Oregon)
Former Protestant Pastor Helps Shepherd Catholic Converts (Marcus Grodi)

The Conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne
The Journey Home: June 7 - Michael Cumbie - Former Charismatic Episcopal clergyman
Former Colombian model shares conversion story [Amada Rosa Pérez ]
The Leadership of Jesus - SF Master Sergeant Mike Cutone (Conversion Story/Book Review/Interview)
Former Mormon looks forward to baptism at Easter vigil [Melissa Reeves]
From Lesbian Atheist to Stay-at-Home Mother of Six: Quebec Journalist Tells Her Story [Brigitte Bedard]
New Catholics a sign of Easter blessing for church (in Oregon)
Protestant Organist Finds Musical Home in the Catholic Church [Gary Marks]

Record number confirmed in Baltimore, despite recent media attacks on Church
An inspiring story of one man’s journey to becoming Catholic[Jeremy Feldbusch]
Can It Be? (Testimony of a former Jehovah's Witness)
Why I am a Catholic[CAROLYN E. DAVIS ]
Man Who "Died" 5 Times Is Becoming Catholic [Jeremy Feldbusch] (Thousands to Enter Church at Easter)
EWTN - The Journey Home - Monday March 22 - Fr. Donald Calloway
Mystery, Meditation, Media: An Interview with Matt Swaim - (Former Presbyterian)
The Reasons for G.K. Chesterton's Conversion
Fr. John Corapi's Conversion story - March 6 at 10pm on EWTN
Responding to the Pope’s Anglican Invitation (priest relates journey from Pentecostalism) [Father Douglas Grandon ]

In the Breaking of the Bread (conversion story of Tim Drake)
Australia's Traditional Anglicans Vote to Convert to Catholicism
Church of England Bishop Converts to Rome [Bishop Paul Richardson}
From Krishna to Christ: The Conversion Testimony of Father Jay Kythe
Ex-Protestant at home in Byzantine Catholic Church {Father James Barrand]
In Iraq, soldier finds a new faith (Muslim converts to Catholic faith)
Why I Left Anglicanism [Fr. Longenecker]
EWTN - The Journey Home - Oct. 26, 2009 - David Twellman, former United Methodist
Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism, Rev John Hind
Book: "You Have Not Chosen Me, But I Have Chosen You..." (23 Surprised Converts)

Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII
Mickey Rourke thanks God and Catholic faith for 'second chance'
Catholic convert and political commentator Robert Novak passes away
Why Newt Gingrich Converted to Catholicism
Reading Into the Church [Deal W. Hudson]
Gnarly: from abuse victim, to prostitute, to surfer, to minister [Mary Setterholm]
Cathedral rector’s priestly journey began with early conversion [ Fr. Bob Clements]
The Great Philosopher Who Became Catholic [Mortimer J. Adler]
The Greater Blessings [David Mills]

EWTN - Journey Home - June 22, 2009 at 8pm - Dr. Jay Budziszewski - former Episcopalian
Cardinal says Catholics humbled by Anglicans' decision to join church
Catholic convert from Oregon coast becomes a priest (former Evangelical)
EWTN - The Journey Home - June 15, 2009 - Marcus interviews a Muslim convert [Talat Strokirk]
(All Saints) Sisters Doing It For Themselves (Anglican House converting en masse)
Journey Home to the Catholic Church: I Have Jumped into the Tiber to Swim Across (UK minister, Fr. Jeffrey Steel )
EWTN - Journey Home - June 8, 2009 at 8pm - Fr. Jay Toborowsky, Jewish convert
EWTN - Monday 8pm - Journey Home - Jerry & Yolanda Cleffi (former Assembly of God)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Opens Up on Catholic Conversion and Embracing 'Overt Christianity'
Mom’s Gift From Pope [Heidi Sierras]

The Journey Home - April 27 @ 8pm - Doug Grandon former Episcopal clergyman
EWTN - The Journey Home - April 20 - Msgr. Keith Barltrop, former Baptist
Journey Home - Monday April 6 - Kenneth Howell, Former Presbyterian minister
Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary
“150,000 new or returning Catholics”
Catholic Church prepares for tens of thousands of U.S. converts
Gingrich to Become Catholic During Easter Season
Faith Journey Leads United Methodist from Pastorate to Catholic Priesthood

From Atheist to Catholic (‘Unshakable’ Rationalist Blogged Her Way Into the Church) [Jennifer Fulwiler]
Former Episcopal bishop discusses his new life as Catholic priest [Father Jeffrey N. Steenson]
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic
Conservative Episcopal bishop resigned to become Roman Catholic priest (New Mexico) Rev. Jeffrey Steenson
Converted Muslim Tells Story Behind Papal Baptism
EWTN - The Journey Home - December 1 - Dr. Steven C. Smith (former Willow Creek)
Former Socialist senator who converted to Catholicism calls for end to abortion [Mercedes Aroz]
Young New Yorker leaves police force to become priest [Nicholas Fernandez]
Interesting Deathbed Converts
Hollywood screenwriter returns to Cleveland, turns life over to God [Joe Eszterhas]

A Journey in Prayer {Randy Hain} [Ecumenical]
ECUMENIC] Our Conversion Experience (SDA to Catholic) [Brandon and Tara Ogden]
An open letter to Mr. Stephen A. Baldwin, Actor, and “born again” Christian [ Victor R. Claveau, MJ "
Sick person who suffered accident recounts conversion after traveling to Lourdes [Ecumenical] [Antonio Escobedo Garcia]
Welcome Home! Anglo-Catholic Sisters on the Road to Rome [Ecumenical]
Former Anglican Bishop, Catholic Convert, Jeffrey Steenson on Anglocatholicism [Ecumenical]
Jeffrey Steenson: Why I Became Catholic [Address to Anglican Use Conference]
Tony Snow Dead at 53, A Tribute to a Catholic Journalist [Tony Snow - Catholic Convert]
A Sexual Revolution (One woman's journey from pro-choice atheist to pro-life Catholic) [Jennifer Fulwiler]
C of E bishop will defect to Rome

Assyrian bishop explains his journey into communion with the Catholic Church
Virginia Tech tragedy leads bereaved mother on journey back to faith [Marian Hammaren]
Journey Home - EWTN at 8pm - Dr. William Bales, former Presbyterian Minister [Ecumenical]
First the Protestants, Now the Cults: Will We (the Catholic Church) Be Ready? [Open]
Six Million African Muslims Convert to Christianity Each Year [OPEN]
EWTN - The Journey Home - May 19 - Tom Cabeen, former Jehovah's Witness [Ecumenic]
A TRIUMPH AND A TRAGEDY [James Akin]
Alex Jones: the evangelical who became a Catholic deacon
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}
How the Saints Helped Lead Me Home [Chris Findley]

Who is Mary of Nazareth? [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}
A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
EWTN - Journey Home - 4/7/08 - Rosalind Moss - Former Jew & Evangelical Christian
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace [Joan Tussing]
Coming Out of Sodom (Reversion Experience of Once-Active Homosexual) [Eric Hess]
Our Journey Home [Larry and Joetta Lewis]
Book on Mary turns runaway youngster immersed in drugs and crime into a priest
Dr. Robert C. Koons (former Lutheran) - Journey Home - Monday 3/31 - Conversion Story
The Story of a Convert from Islam – Baptized by the Pope at St. Peter's [Magdi Cristiano Allam]
How Do We Know It’s the True Church? - Twelve Things to Look For [Fr. Dwight Longenecker]

"Have you not read?" The Authority behind Biblical Interpretation [Robert Sungenis]
New Catholics ‘ on fire’ for faith
New faith pulls Hot Springs family together (Baptists join Catholic Church at Easter Vigil) [Danny Morrison and family
SciFi Writer, John C. Wright, Enters Catholic Church at Easter Vigil (conversion story)[John C. Wright]
"What is Truth?" An Examination of Sola Scriptura [Dwight Longenecker’family]
LOGIC AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROTESTANTISM [Fr. Brian Harrison]
Pope baptizes prominent Italian Muslim [Magdi Allam]
My Journey of Faith [Marco Fallon]
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church [Robert Koons]
Thousands in U.S. to Join (Catholic) Church - Many Feel They Have Found a Home

TURN ABOUT (Carl Olson, former Evangelical and Monday's guest on EWTN's Journey Home)
Former Southern Baptist Pastor Now a Traveling Crusader for the Catholic Church [Michael Cumbie]
All Roads Lead To Rome (A Southern Baptist's Journey into the Catholic Church)[John David Young]
Allen Hunt, Methodist Minister ...Journeys Home (Catholic, Re: Real Presence)/a>
The Challenges and Graces of Conversion [Chris Findley]
An Open Letter...from Bishop John Lipscomb [Another TEC Bishop Goes Papist]
Unlocking the Convert's Heart [Marcus Grodi]
His Open Arms Welcomed Me [ Paul Thigpen}
Why I'm Catholic (Sola Scriptura leads atheist to Catholic Church)
From Calvinist to Catholic (another powerful conversion story) Rodney Beason

Good-bye To All That (Another Episcopalian gets ready to swim the Tiber)
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson’s Statement to the House [of Bishops: Episcopal (TEC) to Catholic]
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson Will Become a Roman Catholic
Married man considers turn as Catholic priest
Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying
Searching For Authority (A Methodist minister finds himself surprised by Truth!)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope(Al Kresta)

The Hail Mary of a Protestant (A true story)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar(Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts (Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Rusty Tisdale (former Pentecostal)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness(Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Matt Enloe (former Baptist) [prepare to be amazed!]
THE ORTHODOX REVIVAL IN RUSSIA
Conversion Story - David Finkelstein (former Jew)
Conversion Story - John Weidner (former Evangelical)

Patty Bonds (former Baptist and sister of Dr. James White) to appear on The Journey Home - May 7
Pastor and Flock Become Catholics
Why Converts Choose Catholicism
From Calvinist to Catholic
The journey back - Dr. Beckwith explains his reasons for returning to the Catholic Church
Famous Homosexual Italian Author Returned to the Church Before Dying of AIDS
Dr. Francis Beckwith Returns To Full Communion With The Church
laetare (commentary on ordination of married Anglican convert to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles) Father Bill Lowe
Catholic Converts - Stephen K. Ray (former Evangelical)
Catholic Converts - Malcolm Muggeridge

Catholic Converts - Richard John Neuhaus
Catholic Converts - Avery Cardinal Dulles
Catholic Converts - Israel (Eugenio) Zolli - Chief Rabbi of Rome
Catholic Converts - Robert H. Bork , American Jurist (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Converts - Marcus Grodi
He Was an Evangelical Christian Until He Read Aquinas [Rob Evans]
The Scott Hahn Conversion Story
FORMER PENTECOSTAL RELATES MIRACLE THAT OCCURRED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Interview with Roy Schoeman - A Jewish Convert
Church Is Still Attracting Converts [Jim Anderson]

14 posted on 01/20/2012 6:52:34 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RightOnline

What does the Evangelical church/movement have to say, absolutely, about contraception?


15 posted on 01/20/2012 7:31:58 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham (Barry Soetoro is a Kenyan communist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: A.A. Cunningham

On abortion there is no wavering, their position is absolute.

On contraception, they take no position as a general rule. Others may contradict me, but thats my observation.


16 posted on 01/20/2012 11:55:38 PM PST by marron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: A.A. Cunningham

They don’t. They see no equivalence, moral or otherwise, in preventing pregnancy vs. abortion.


17 posted on 01/21/2012 4:37:53 AM PST by RightOnline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: RightOnline
They see no equivalence, moral or otherwise, in preventing pregnancy vs. abortion.

They need to open their eyes, then. Both contraception and abortion separate God's gift of sex from God's gift of children. One does so before conception, and one does so afterwards, but the result is the same.

The NT, in several places, condemns something called pharmakeia. The word is usually translated as "sorcery," but pharmakeia specifically meant the mixing of potions. These potions generally served one of three purposes: killing someone (poison), making someone fall in love with you (aphrodisiac), or preventing conception (contraceptive).

Our Lord said that even to look at a woman with lust is to commit adultery in one's heart. By the same logic, to contracept is to commit abortion in one's heart.

Even the demon-possessed SCOTUS of the Roe and Casey decisions recognized this, when they wrote that the "right of privacy" they invented in Griswold (prohibiting states from banning contraceptives) was the foundation of the "right to abortion" they invented in Roe, and when they wrote in Casey that people had "organized their lives" in such a way that abortion was necessary as a backstop to contraception.

18 posted on 01/21/2012 8:09:13 AM PST by Campion ("It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins." -- Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Campion

Sorry. Ain’t buyin’. Have a nice day.


19 posted on 01/21/2012 12:54:45 PM PST by RightOnline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: RightOnline

I personally know a few pro choice Catholics. All the Evangelicals I know are pro life. Just from my experience this guy’s choice seems odd.


20 posted on 01/21/2012 1:11:38 PM PST by wolfman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson