Dream Team: Ex-Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson joins Lila Rose and Live Action
It’s pro-life’s assemblage of the Chicago Bulls of the 90s, a match made in pro-life heaven against Planned Parenthood.
Live Action today announced former PP abortion clinic director Abby Johnson, author of the bestseller, unPlanned, has joined its team as Chief Research Strategist. As a former PP Employee of the Year, Abby will make a wonderful expert adviser. From the press statement:
“Abby Johnson has seen the abuses inside Planned Parenthood with her own eyes and confirms the danger its clinics pose to women and young girls,” stated Live Action President Lila Rose. “She is a courageous trailblazer despite Planned Parenthood’s desperate attempts to attack her and silence the truth. We are thrilled and very thankful to have Abby join our team and are confident that her first-hand experience, conviction and guidance will provide invaluable counsel to Live Action as we advance our common goal of protecting women and children from the abuses of PP.”…
“I can tell you from experience that PP often turns a blind eye to sexual abuse and trafficking – what you see in Live Action’s videos is not a rare occurrence. But ignorance is no defense, especially when it has turned their clinics into a safe haven for those who sexually exploit women and girls. This is not a training problem so much as it is an ideology problem. I am humbled and eager to begin this partnership with Live Action so that together we can expose the serious harm Planned Parenthood poses to the most vulnerable among us.”
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Jill it is way more 80’s lakers then 90s Bulls.
Here’s what Abby Johnson had to say to me on Facebook after she viewed my 22-minute video of what we titled The Frosty Felon Caper here in Denver which was featured here on the Jill Stanek blog. She apparently knows better than pro-lifers who have been on the streets saving babies for 30 years:
Abby Johnson: Pro-life advocate
Scott, I watched the video. And I have to say I am shocked. But not by the actions of the police…by the actions of the pro-lifers. You are probably not going to like what I have to say, but I am going to say it anyway.
I can not believe the way the pro-lifers were outside screaming at the women going into the abortion center and at the police. I know working with the police can be frustrating, but have you ever heard the phrase, “you catch more bees with honey?” I couldn’t believe the disrespect shown to the police that were there. Yes, I know it was overkill to have that many officers there, but here’s the bottom line. That fence is the property of Planned Parenthood…KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF IT!! It is really that simple. If a bunch of pro-choice advocates came to a pregnancy center and wrote things like “abortion is great,” “choose abortion,” among other things on the PRC building in ice, would you let it go? You would be okay with that? You wouldn’t care, right? Somehow I doubt that. You would have called the police out and expected the same type of attention to the matter. Would you yell and disrespect the police officers in the same way if they were there to help you? Of course not. I know this is an issue that people feel very passionate about, but we need to be level headed here. Screaming about “murder” and getting arrested and everything else that I saw was very distrubing…and doesn’t get us anywhere. When someone is trying to counsel a woman going in for an abortion, do you think she will be more likely to approach a crowd of people yelling at her, or one person gently and compassionately offering alternatives to abortion? No yelling…just compassion and love. I can tell you that there is NO WAY I would have approached anyone I saw outside of that clinic.
I could not believe that people stand on LADDERS!!! How intimidating to the women going in!! And the graphic signs outside of the clinic!! Oh my!
Listen, I am not saying I am the expert here, but I am telling you this. I was won over to the pro-life movement by compassion, mercy, love, and peaceful prayer. Not ladders, graphic signs, yelling, or anything else that I saw on that video. If I would have seen that type of behavior, I would have been running in the clinic every day, not building relationships with the pro-life volunteers.
I will be praying for the workers in the clinic, the women choosing abortion at the center, and those of you who are standing for life.
Regarding Abby J’s Response: I don’t think she is saying is knows better than the prolifers who have been serving for 30 years. She does have a point regarding the yelling. I know of someone who chose life because someone GENTLY approached her and and said “Honey are you okay? Do you have a moment to talk?”
Compassion and love…gentleness works..especially to those who are at their most fragile moment. Yelling does not help.
It’s impossible to gently say, “Honey, are you okay? Do you have a moment to talk?” to someone who’s 30 to 100 feet away. Jim, are you now saying you know better than pro-lifers who have been saving babies for 30 years?
Look I am not looking to debate here. I am simply stating an opinion and my friends experience. I am most certainly NOT saying I know better than the pro-lifers who have been saving for 30 years.
I am simply saying that I think and feel that yelling “murder” often fails to persuade someone from leaving the clinic.
Can’t a person have an opinion here without being accused of knowing better?
Was the fence property of Planned Parenthood? If so, I agree with Abby.
Scott, you may have been saving babies for 30 years, but how do you know that tactics like Abby suggests wouldn’t have saved twice as many in that time?
Jim, not yelling “murder” often fails to persuade someone from leaving the clinic. What’s your point? Is a mother going in for an abortion about to murder her child or not?
It was frost, JoAnna. It melted within two hours of writing in it. How could you possibly disagree with pro-lifers writing pro-life messages in frost? If you were a police officer, would you have issued the ticket to the person who wrote in the frost?
I haven’t been saving babies for 30 years. The people we’re with at the abortion mill have been. There is no parallel universe so we can’t know for sure, but how does Abby know what works and what doesn’t? One thing I can say, the people we are with who have been at this for 30 years have tried many different ways to talk to the moms and save babies, and their experience tells them the way they do it now works best. I’m not sure how someone can argue so easily against that much experience and that much success.
Here’s another quote of Abby Johnson’s on Facebook: “I would like to officially say I can’t stand the words “abortion mill,” “abortion chamber,” “deathscort,” slaughter house,” “abortuary,” or any other inflammatory words people use for the abortion industry. FYI…you won’t get anywhere using them.”
I guess it was wrong for Jesus to use the inflammatory term, “Thieves,” while driving out the money changers from the temple. And how could Jesus possibly have used the inflammatory term, “Satan,” when speaking to Peter? Since when are we not to call a spade a spade?
Scott,
It seems the most effective strategy up to now has been 40 days for life. Above all it is God who changes hearts and He does it by gently inviting. Only rarely does He make someone fall off their horse like St. Paul. All yelling does it make the heart harder. Scott, are you saying that you and your group of prolifers, who have been saving babies for 30 years, know all there is to know? Is that what you are trying to portray by your question?
If you pray 5 minutes for every word that was yelled, you will be more effective, as the RIGHT words will be accompanied by Grace. The greatest miracle is a conversion as it is a change of heart. Yes, Abby having changed sides, does know more than you as she knows what it takes to change the hearts of prochoicers, thus, how to save more babies.
Abby’s right: you won’t get anywhere screaming. It just puts more ammo into the pro choice “guns” against pro lifers. many of them think that 99.999999999999999% of pro lifers are crazy zealots that only yell and scream. Quiet prayer is sometimes best.
Abby’s input should be taken into account, but abortion needs to be fought by combining tactics and using strategy. No single tactic will work alone. Some people don’t react well to yelling but it does get public attention. Some people react better to gentleness but that doesn’t get the word out to enough people.
40 Days for Life is attracting participants because people feel more comfortable praying quietly than yelling. I personally don’t like confrontation; it makes me feel red-faced and uncomfortable and I say things I regret. At a Walk for Life, I lost my temper for like 2 seconds at a woman who was yelling at me. Thank God no one caught it on camera but it taught me a lesson: stay calm, stay quiet. Lila Rose doesn’t raise her voice in public, she always maintains her composure and that may be a big reason that Abby Johnson feels comfortable working with her.
That being said, we do need to be very firm and not let the abortionists use twisted language and euphemism to achieve their goals. Abby doesn’t like the word ‘abortuary’, but it galls me to use the word ‘clinic’ when talking about a building that is used to murder children.
I’m done arguing today.
However, Chantal and Liz, I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Jm, I don´t think you needed to answer such a prideful and arrogant question.
Take care!
Chantal
Good grief. Abby Johnson “knowing better”?
Sounds like your ego just hit a snag.
I wonder how many more Abby Johnsons’ there are out there waiting to get out of PP? I can’t imagine how PP must be reeling with the Live Action videos and Abby’s follow up testimony backing the facts the videos are a true representative of the culture of PP. The timing couldn’t be better!!
And by the way…
Don’t those two ladies just look stunning?
Pro-life Beauties, I’m telling ya.
Super news!! And it makes so much sense.
Stay focused prolifers! Let not our own egos or perceived injustice or anything else distract us from working together to end abortion. There is room for all types of legal tactics to further the cause. STOP THE QUIBBLING PLEASE!
I for one am so encouraged by the last few weeks, and grateful to the work of others that I cannot do at this point in my life.
And please pray for me and my fourth son, Dominic, to be born any day now. I will do my best to raise him to have the courage and cunning of Lila and Abby. :)
I agree with Ninek. It takes a variety of strategies (though I can’t imagine you get anywhere using an aggressive screaming tactic towards women walking in to get an abortion – that’s probably best used in another setting). A spade should absolutely be called a spade, but when you’re in the actual moment of preventing an abortion on the front line, all that matters is the tactic that might turn that mother from the door. Period. But we also can’t be hamstrung by the fact that our message will always fall on some ears that aren’t ready to hear it. I couldn’t care less that pro-abortion people would prefer us to adopt their euphamisms. Also I can’t speak for Abby, but when I first became pro-life, I still had loyalties to my old way of thinking. Not that I thought it was right, but that I really understood it still. It made me say things very similar to what she’s saying, but the truth is that it wasn’t just the honey that changed my mind. It was the vinegar too. It all has a place in the process of changing hearts and ending this slaughter.
Re the Abby/Lila collaboration – I’m very interested to see what can come out of this match up!
Praying for Dominic, Mary Ann. :)
Lila and Abby, I think, are going to be great working together. This is fantastic news.
In my opinion, there’s a better mission for Abby Johnson than Live Action, and that would be a Project Rachel version of current and former Planned Parenthood employees (There is Hope After PP). Abby could be the voice of reason and comfort for those Planned Parenthood employees who are silently miserable and looking for someone to tell them it’s okay to leave.
Post Planned Parenthood recovery. Surely there’s a need for that, yes?
Thoughts?
Cranky Catholic
I think that as long as what your doing is completely within the context of the law of the land and is exposing planned parenthood or comforting moms that an individual should do what comes naturally to them or what they want to do. I think Planned Parenthood the seedy side of the organization has gotten away with what they’ve been doing for so long because they presumed women who are pro-life would not or could not raise their voices as loud. I’m thinking now they know better.
I think Abby is fulfilling her own goals by participating in the activities & organizations *she* chooses. Perhaps her couragous example will help lead others out of PP, but why do they need their *own* organization? Would it be like a support group or something? Shouldn’t pro-lifers like Abby, Lila, you, & me be more concerned with putting up a united front instead of segmentalizing ourselves into smaller (therefore less effective in general) groups?
I’ve had the opportunity to interact with Abby on FaceBook. So far we’ve never had discussions on her preference of terms &/or methods of enticing others from the pro-aborts. However, I have found her to be witty, compassionate, passionate, and faithful to her goals. Legally she has a point about keeping your hands off someone else’s property (even a despicible place like PP). We as pro-lifers should also always respect policemen and their jobs. They are people like you & me – sometimes they have to perform personally distasteful duties, but its their job & way to feed their family. I also agree that you get more flies with honey, but I also understand that flies like dung as well! ;-) I think a mix of the two approaches is most useful. Another old adage is “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” If a certain approach is working/not working, appropriate action should be taken.
Carder,
I totally agree! Abby has a glow since she “crossed the river” and of course Lila always looks great.
At risk of being “sour grapes”, I just hope these two ladies are conferring with some spiritual authorities in their lives; otherwise, they will crash and burn. Fr. Tom Euteneuer was just foisted out of the pro-life movement by his own indiscretion; these two need to have good spiritual advice and they need to be accountable to someone other than themselves. end of sour grapes.
Scott,
As a former participant in Operation Rescue who was arrested multiple times for implementing passvie non-violent direct action to prevent pre-natal children from being killed and the mother from being injured I can say I learned a few things from the experience.
1. When an individual leaves the ‘herd’ and takes a different path, it makes the whole herd uneasy. The herd question themselves. They wonder what you know that they do not. They have an almost irresistable desire to get the individual to rejoin the herd. It is easier to get you to rejoin them than for the herd to summon the courage to join you in doing the uncomfortable and unpopular thing.
Human nature is at work, but there is also something supernatural at work. There is a war going on in the herds minds, hearts and spirits.
2. It always easier to second guess from the safety and security of the sidelines, most of the time in hindsight, than it is to make the conscious decision to join in the fray, peaceful as it may be. Rudyard Kiplings poem ‘If’ illustrates the point excellently. Martin L. King, Jr.’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail also lays out the dyamics very well.
3. It is with great difficulty that humans leave the security of the comfort zone of the herd to go struggle against the current of public opinon, peer pressure and social norms. Once you have done it and you have overcome the ‘fear of the unknown’ each succeding time it becomes easier.
4. What some of the ‘sideline quarterbacks’ are really telling you is your methods make THEM uneasy. They want you to ’sound a moderate alarm’.
5. I do have some sympathy for the police. They really don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing to which calls they will or will not respond. Unless they have had the benefit of prior experience at the ‘crime scene’ they have to follow the established department procedures or suffer the consequences of their insubordination. They at least have to go thru the motions of determining the facts and deciding whether or not a ‘crime’ has been committed.
Unless they attempt to misuse their position to intimidate pro-lifers, I am willing to let them do their job without questioning their motives or blaming them for what is going on inside the abortuary.
Some day they too will be forced by circumstances to make a decision and declare their allegiance. But that is a decision they should have the privelege of making absent a stranger accusing them of complicity.
6. This was a hard lesson for me to learn:
Just because GOD called me to action does not mean he called everyone else.
It has been my experience that when GOD speaks, most GOD fearers/GOD chasers obey without a lot of prompting from others.
Julie,
Lila and I have an abundance of spiritual guidance. Personally, I receive much insight and direction from Fr. Frank Pavone as well as many other spiritual leaders in my local area. Lila also receives spiritual guidance of her own from many sources. I don’t see a “crash and burn” scenario in our future. We are both very grounded in our spiritual walk with Christ. I appreciate your concern.
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement. Lila and I are very excited about this partnership. We know that very good things are ahead for the pro-life movement…and very bad things for the abortion movement. :)
For someone who asked about a group for individuals who have left the abortion industry…
I actually do have a ministry for anyone that reaches out to me. I have also been working with Fr. Pavone on the reinstitution of the Centurions group. The Centurions is a specific group centered around former abortion workers and abortionists. There are many things in the hopper…just because you don’t know about them doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. :)
To Scott, I know you are feeling burned because I blocked you from my Facebook group. I simply couldn’t take the constant personal attacks any longer. I receive enough hate speech from the opposition; I don’t need it from people who are supposed to be on “my side.” I continue to pray for you and your efforts. God Bless you.
What a wonderful photo of two beautiful, brave prolife women!
I love you Lila and Abby! I will be praying for you with a group of teens tonight.
God Bless You and Be Not Afraid.
Scott Evans,
I see in this thread, the age-old tension between the younger and older generations being acted out in microcosm. The young, always brash and brimming with ideas outside of the mainstream, challenging those who have been at it for over 30 years.
The older adults, those in their 50’s (God, how did that happen so fast?) or older deserve a little respect for our longevity and fidelity to the cause, and expect it from the young. But, that doesn’t mean that our techniques and strategies are due the same respect and deference to which we ourselves are entitled.
Change is the engine of progress.
The hardest thing for the older crowd to accept is the thought that perhaps the young have a more winning strategy. That isn’t to say that we have spent our lives for naught. Indeed, it is we who have held the line all of these years, before the younger set were even born. But technology advances and with it so do tactics.
As for the specifics of your issues stated above, with all due respect, I disagree with you. While yelling ‘murder’ may indeed halt some abortions, I cannot help but wonder at how many of those post-abortive women who commit suicide have had that word yelled at them, and to what degree that played a role in their despair.
Did you see the movie “Blood Money”, Scott. Did you see the woman in abject despair crying as she told her story of being bullied by everyone n her life to have the abortion? How many do you suppose there might have been like her who were driven to suicide by that word: “Murderer!” ? I could never accuse that poor woman of murder, but I guess that depends on how one defines “pro-life”. For me, it’s more than just being anti-abortion.
As for the things Abby posted on her site, terms that trouble her, I might remind you that she has only been a pro-life convert for less than a year-and-a-half. I am very concerned for this woman, VERY concerned.
Abby became a pro-life rock star overnight, a trophy for our side. With all of this buzz and fame, I question how much down time she has had to come to grips with the sheer numbers of babies in whose death she has been complicit. That vocabulary list that troubles her is a red light for a woman who has yet to deal with the layers of realization of what it is she has done.
If our hearts do not take all of this into account, then we have lost our way. In quoting Jesus, perhaps you may also recall that his invective was saved for hypocrites, those who only pretended to be that which they never intended to be. He was merciful to those whose sin merited them death. You may also recall that Jesus told us that the doctor doesn’t come for the healthy, and that He came to call sinners.
Instead of shouting “Murderer!”, do people shout that a nearby PRC has all the resources they’ll ever need?
Abby, I understand that you recently did or will soon come into full communion with the Catholic Church. Welcome home, dear sister, welcome home!
Yes! Welcome Home!
Yes. Both my husband and I are coming into the Church. It has been such a blessing to us.
There are many of us in this movement who do not use inflammatory language when speaking about the abortion industry. For instance, David Bereit and Shawn Carney (founders of 40 Days for Life) never use the terms mill, abortuary, deathscort, or anything of the sort. However, we see the impact of 40 Days across the world. I choose my words carefully, not because I can’t get away from the abortion industry’s language; but because I know what changed my heart and mind. I want to have an open dialogue with those who work in the industry. The quickest way to shut down conversation is to say they work in an “abortuary.” That is why I continue to monitor my language. It matters.
God bless you Abby and Lila!!
Praying for you both!!
Well, now, there you have it: Abby J. responding with class while someone goes off on a who-does-she-think-she-is rant.
Keep it up, Abby babe.
Fr. Pavone is a brilliant mind and humble clergyman who is 110% committed to ending abortion. With him as your spiritual guide, you can’t go wrong. I would say that out of all of the Catholic clergy, he is the greatest pro-life activist.
I would have to agree with Abby Johnson about abusive language, which is something I struggle with, though I know rationally that it does no good.
Wow, that’s like some kind of self-serving fraud dream team.
What fraud are you talking about, Joan? Can you provide evidence to support your accusation?
Great posts Abby – classy, loving, to the point and thoughtful. You go girl! We are praying for you and I think you and Lila will make a great team!
Carefully, skillfully, lovingly and directly – you are making a huge difference, and we thank you all!
And truthfully – I was totally surprised at the tone and disrespect from the ice-message video. We are employing careful and loving ways to do things – and I have only been at it for 7 years. And yes – it is hard to get someone’s attention from a long distance. Even saying ‘We have help – no judgment – just help ‘ can sound angry when its projected from a distance.
That is why it’s good to have people on the corners of the block offering help, information etc. so that the people coming by car or on foot have a chance to see 1,2,3 times that they can make a different choice and that there is help. This is why I like it when we have enough people on the sidewalk with GOOD signs helping women know that there are options – loving and living options.
I love just motioning for them to come over – pointing at my papers for them and smiling. No words needed until we say hello and thank them for coming over to talk.
The nicest approach is the calmest and sweetest. oh – and if the police are called – I walk right over to them, extend my hand for a handshake, and say ‘Hi! my name is…. you must be coming for me!’ with a big, genuine smile. No problems with the police – we love them! ;)
Joan said:Wow, that’s like some kind of
self-serving fraudlife-saving, human-rights-defending, truth-exposing dream team.You made a typo, but dont worry, I fixed it for you :wink:
lovely NAR! ;)
Hey Joan,
Long time no sneer. Nice drive-by. Get well soon.
Abby,
Welcome to the Church! You and Lila are destined to do great things together. You are very much in all of our thoughts and prayers!
Considering that the pro-life movement is the one truly 100% selfless political movement, and on top of being completely selfless turns you into a social pariah by your mere involvement in it, the idea that Johnson and Rose are “self-serving” makes zero sense.
Dr. Gerard’s comment about Joan’s comment made me think of the movie “Mrs. Doubtfire” (I hope this doesn’t go against any of the guidelines on here)
Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire says: “Oh, I’m sorry, sir! Were you hit? It was a drive-by fruitie!”
Hi Abby! I’m reading your book for the second time. :)
Thanks, everyone! You guys are my heroes!! :)
Scott Evans,
I agree with you fully, I’m really shocked by Abby Johnsons words to you…
I would have to agree with Abby Johnson about abusive language, which is something I struggle with, though I know rationally that it does no good.
I struggle with this too John and will try (pray) to be more careful. Legalized abortion is an issue that has always hurt and angered me because of what it has done to all of us but I realize that abusive language is not constructive.
Abbey,
I stood silently, praying with “nice” signs once a week for a whole year at the Durango Planned Parenthood (actually started out a block away before we got the local authorities to allow us closer) Even so, we had to be 100 feet from the entrance according to the bubble law which was defended before the Supreme Court by a member of my parish.
We lined the driveway going in. Sometimes could talk to the women in cars going in. Give them literature, if they would take it. Couldn’t puncture their 8 foot “bubble”. Didn’t see any saves. The horror of standing there, through the seasons, and witnessing the brain-washed masses delivering their children to be sacrificed!
Then, after a year of that, began using graphic signs. Began calling out to the girls as they’d go in. Had to yell because they were far away. PP recruited escorts. After some months, when the escorts were alone in the parking lot, began to let them have it verbally, with irony. Began to give the “Heil Hitler” to the abortionist as he drove in. John began to play taps on a trumpet. Sang. Used a bull horn so my voice would carry. Got a dialogue going with the security guard. A few prayed loudly, but we didn’t want to fall into the trap of appearing to trying to foist our religion on them. Emphasized the life and death nature of their act.
All the while, prayed. Did everything. One of our guys would yell “man up!” at the boyfriends. A little child would call out, ”we have information for you”. Some cars would pass by and not go in. Some friends of the aborted ones would tell us their own stories. Sometimes we thought there was a turn around, but they’d come back the next week. Got a few real turn arounds. Once I handed my cell phone to a girl and asked her to call me from inside. They built a fence. We went up on ladders so they could see our graphic signs. Got more pointed in what we said to the abortionist. Began to see some turn arounds. Bought an ultrasound to use in our office across the alley. Parked a Truth Truck in the alley across from PP’s parking lot entrance. Found out people had prayed across the street 10 years before.
Fr. Pavone says the graphic signs may cause saves you’ll never know about. People whose conscience you’ve pricked and just drive on by. But it’s not all about saves. It’s also about making the whole procedure very uncomfortable for everyone involved. Jo Scott in Denver gets hundreds of saves. She breaks the bubble of the unconscious. She’s found ways that work by not hanging back. And I’m sure she’s praying every second. How long would you stand outside Auschwitz and make nice with the guards?
Abbey, you know what worked for you and what may work for other PP employees. But you had a moral upbringing to revert to. Many, if not most of the clinics are headed by folks who were never taught about the sanctity of life growing up. I would think most of their hearts are far more hardened than yours ever was. Is that true? I think it’s a tremendous gift from God that you are with us. Even though we all live in the same culture, you can fill us in on what can move the folks inside.
Perhaps the ones who’ve tried everything and are refining their tactics day by day, are learning what works for the women on the outside. t Nowhere else will women headed for abortion encounter someone who is challenging the dominant world view that says what they are doing is simply a “choice”. New people who join a vigil will be more reserved, but should feel free to respectfully question the more experienced about their tactics and add new ideas.
40 Days for Life brings out the newbies. Their tactics are for people doing this for a relatively short period, often for the first time. But day in and day out, year in and year out, who can stand to watch the horror and suppress their humanity? Especially if you can’t sidewalk counsel because there’s no sidewalk? You do it once in awhile, you pray silently. You do it every week or every day – you open your mouth to communicate with those bringing their children to the slaughter. What comes out should be guided by love and the Holy Spirit. And it shouldn’t be chit chat with the other protesters. Standing in front of an abortion clinic is standing at the gates of Hell.
Instead of shouting “Murderer!”, do people shout that a nearby PRC has all the resources they’ll ever need?
Gerard, Good point. Regarding resources – many PRC’s have car magnets with their phone numbers on them. They are a great, economical way to get the pro-life message to LOTS of people! My church handed them out for Project Gabriel and we see the magnets on cars all over town. It’s an encouraging sight!
Michaela,
Thank you for your pro-life witness. God bless.
Abby challenges me; how welcome would I be if Cecile Richards said she was pro-life? Sure, I want that, but it’s difficult to imagine being on the other side of that, say after her conversion. That’s a challenge for a lot of us, being humane to people who we’re used to seeing as “them.” But we have to, don’t we?, if we really mean to create a culture of life.
I’m active in providing post-abortion healing support over at the PASS Support Boards & I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I’ve heard a woman say that she was intimidated & frightened by pro-lifers outside the clinic screaming at her or tried to avoid us, or the number of times I’ve heard them say when protesters or even their loved ones confront them with the terms “baby killer” & “murderer” & graphic signs, it only drove in further their guilt & shame & poured salt on their wound so to speak, postponing healing or setting them back. Also, I many are hesitant to approach us at the clinics when they do need help because we appear scary and it would be easy to see how they may blame us for their hurting and see us as the problem, rather than the direct effects of the abortion itself. There are many who are still healing, who aren’t ready to be confronted with the truth. These women need to be able to heal from the effects of their abortion first & foremost. But evenmoreso, the voices of these women can be one of our most powerful allies. I do think different approaches need to be used, but at the clinics, where the wounded post-abortion women & clinic staff are, perhaps a loving approach would be more effective & the more direct approach should be saved for those at a more healed stage, who are open to the truth & reaching out to the general public.
Abby, thanks for chiming in here. I had a feeling you might be working lots of angles and helping former PP workers, etc., who reach out to you. I’m really glad to hear that Fr. Pavone is serving you as a spiritual mentor. Seems like a lot of good people and actions within the movement can be traced to him. May God strengthen him, and you!
Also, welcome home to the Catholic faith from another Catholic. You’ve already seen it won’t be too easy, that there are lots of confused, etc. Catholics. We are a very imperfect group. I hope God puts hundreds more like Lila and Fr. Pavone in your path. Be encouraged in your work, and thanks from my latest unborn child and me. :)
I think that yelling hurtful things at people going into abortion clinics is a bad idea from a psychological perspective. Fortunately, I’ve never been pro-choice, but if I were and I were going into an abortion clinic, I sure as heck wouldn’t want to listen to anyone screaming that I was a murderer. It would just make me scared and make me more appreciative of the abortion clinic workers who were trying to keep me away from all that. Also, if I felt a lot of regret after having an abortion and wanted to find someone to help me deal with that, I’d be afraid that the people who screamed that I was a murderer would just have an “I told you so” attitude and probably yell at me some more.
Marauder,
I agree! You hit the nail on the head! I hope the others here listen, because unfortuantly, what you’ve pointed out reflects a lot of the attitudes and feelings of the post-abortion women I’ve encountered.
I just want to make it clear, that I have never yelled or screamed at anyone calling them names like murderer or baby killer. I do use language that says on the order of ‘abortion kills a human’ and refer to clinics as mills. This is the language I struggle with but in hindsight, I don’t believe we always need to be pc when dealing in truth.
We’d never say Hitler cleansed society although at one time people said this. We say Hitler supported and promoted the killing of human beings.
Abortion kills humans. Humans are being killed in abortion mills.
That’s the Truth.
… make me more appreciative of the abortion clinic workers who were trying to keep me away from all that.
Yes. The woman may already have been coached to view protestors as having no purpose except to judge and condemn. Do chants of “murderer” and bloody signs convey your desire to help or do they just confirm what she’s already been told about you?
As a former proabort and someone who once had to figure out how to get into a clinic without dealing with the protestors on the sidewalk, I personally would NEVER use the murderer/graphic sign approach in front of a clinic if my purpose was to dissuade women going inside from having an abortion.
We need to reach young women BEFORE they even get in the car to go to the abortion facility.
Ninek- we are trying, but so many times, they slip through the cracks. The abortion facilities outnumber us ten to one (though not for much longer… :o) and are so easy to access- several offer same day service and student discounts.
A woman called my agency yesterday and we had a very encouraging chat. She was calling from another agency on behalf of a client, and once those questions were answered, she asked a few more questions about us. Turns out she was a client of ours 23 years ago. She had gone to one of the abortion clinics, and one of our volunteers was praying outside. She went into the clinic and then came back out and talked to the volunteer. The volunteer took her to our office, offered her care and compassion, stuck with her through the pregnancy including the birth, and they became friends, keeping contact for years afterwards. Her daughter is now 22 and she said she has never regretted walking out of that clinic. :o)
I’ve read all the replies so far, and I see a lot of opinions based on emotion and human logic, but not even one based on Scripture (unless I missed it).
I posted this earlier with no response: “I guess it was wrong for Jesus to use the inflammatory term, “Thieves,” while driving out the money changers from the temple. And how could Jesus possibly have used the inflammatory term, “Satan,” when speaking to Peter?”
It’s unfortunate for Jesus that Abby Johnson wasn’t around to council Him to just pray for the thieves to leave the temple and to be nice to Peter.
As far as yelling “it’s murder,” God himself did so with his 6th Commandment, “Thou shall not murder.”
As far as the use of graphic signs being wrong, have you ever read the account of Jesus’ crucifixion? That’s the most graphic “sign” that has ever existed, shown to us by our Creator in Scripture.
On a related note, being Lila Rose has partnered with Abby Johnson, I wonder how Lila Rose feels about regulating abortion. I hope and pray she’s against it, but I do know that Abby Johnson is not. She has spoken out in support of a sonogram bill in Texas. So in other words, she is in support of giving women the choice to kill their children if they view a sonogram first. So that means it’s not a pro-life bill, but a pro-choice bill, because the mother still has the choice to kill her child. That law would not have the authority to save even one preborn child. That same preborn baby Abby Johnson viewed struggling for his or her life which caused Abby to quit, could have been a baby in a mother who jumped through some legal hoop, but the baby is still dead none-the-less. It’s amazing to me that the same Christians who would never even think of supporting regulating murdering already born children, support regulating murdering preborn children. How can that possibly be?
Awhile back, there were a couple of hundred Catholics across the street from the Denver Planned Parenthood. A couple who was being “yelled at” from the pro-lifers on those horrible ladders surrounded by those horrible graphic signs stayed in their vehicle, listening. They drove out of the lot without ever going into Planned Parenthood and stopped and talked to us. They changed their mind and the husband said, “It’s because of you guys.” After we gave them a baby blanket, information where they could receive free help, and a silver dollar, they drove off. We yelled, “It’s a save!” and all the Catholics across the street cheered. It was an awesome moment! It’s great that they are there because lots of numbers at the mill is a good thing, but it’s safe to say that if it weren’t for the pro-lifers on the ladders, that save probably would not have occurred.
So even though we would like to see our Catholic friends in Denver join us across the street to plead with moms and dads not to kill their children, we would never tell them that what they are doing is wrong. They are effective in their way and we are effective in our way. For Abby Johnson to attack our obviously successful methods so vehemently is inexcusable and I believe she owes an apology to every pro-lifer who uses our same methods to save hundreds, if not thousands, of preborn children every year all around the country.
God bless you Abby and Lila too I have been praying for you and other proilfers too on the frontlines. I do appreciate what you are saying.
To those who seem to think the amount of years someone has been active give them supreme authority, this comment comes from someone who has been active for more than 20 years. I have rescued and been arrested many, many times and earned my stripes, I have sidewalk counseled for over 20 years also. I also used to use the yelling and giant sign tactics and now that I have switched to prayer and positive methods I have seen a huge increase in babies saved and women’s lives changed. It just works way more to love rather than be angry.
I believe that Abby and Lila are two of the greatest assets to the Pro-life movement and I am excited about this announcement.
Abby just ignore the ugliness and press on in this battle, you and Lila are ROCK STARS and I know God will use you to save a lot of babies.
Here you go, Scott:
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:5, 9
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” – Luke 6:35
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” – Titus 3:1-2
“Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:25
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16
Do you need more?
It’s preborn children who are being persecuted, JoAnna, not us.
Trying to save preborn babies is being meek and trying to make peace in the womb.
People going in to kill their children are not our enemies. When we save babies, we don’t expect to get anything back.
Again, they are not our enemies. Helping them save their babies and helping to take care of them if necessary is doing good to them.
Saving babies isn’t merciful?
Yes, pro-lifers are all of those things.
So Jews were to be subject to Nazi rulers and authorities and be obedient to them? I don’t know where slander comes in to this. Which type of men are we to be peaceable and considerate and how true humility toward? Child molesters, for example? Rapists? Murderers?
Moms going to kill their children oppose their preborn children and plenty of moms and dads we’ve “yelled” at have repented and not killed their children.
We do set apart Christ as Lord. Are you saying we do not, JoAnna? That’s not very kind of you. Maybe you should actually live the verses you posted. We are always prepared to give that answer. We are gentle and respectful to those we should be and definitely have clear consciences. How gentle and respectful was Jesus to the thieves in the temple and to Peter? How about the Gentile woman who Jesus first ignored then referred to as a dog until she said even dogs eat the crumbs from their masters’ table?
So let’s see if you can answer this one which I asked earlier and it remains unanswered: Abby doesn’t like the graphic signs we use. What about the “sign” of Jesus’ scourging and crucifixion that God showed us? That’s as graphic of a sign as has ever been or will ever be.
For Abby Johnson to attack our obviously successful methods so vehemently is inexcusable
I haven’t seen any vehement attack from Abby. On the contrary, she’s offered you her prayers and God’s blessing on this thread. That, quite frankly, strikes me as far more charitable than the sour grapes you’ve lobbed in her direction for daring to disagree with your methods.
it’s safe to say that if it weren’t for the pro-lifers on the ladders, that save probably would not have occurred
Perhaps. But it’s also possible that the Catholic prayer warriors had a hand in it in ways none of us can understand this side of eternity.
Bryan Kemper’s paradox: To those who seem to think the amount of years someone has been active give them supreme authority, this comment comes from someone who has been active for more than 20 years.”
Does anyone else see it? And, I don’t recall mentioning we are the “supreme” authority. So, Bryan, maybe you and Abby should have both been at the temple to warn Jesus how unloving He was.
Fed Up, get real.
Abby wrote,
“That fence is the property of Planned Parenthood…KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF IT!!” (Yelling)
“No yelling…just compassion and love. I can tell you that there is NO WAY (Yelling) I would have approached anyone I saw outside of that clinic.”
“I could not believe that people stand on LADDERS!!! (Yelling) How intimidating to the women going in!! (Yelling) And the graphic signs outside of the clinic!! Oh my!” (Yelling)
Abby says, “No yelling” and she yells using all caps and multiple exclamation marks. She says we shouldn’t shout at the moms but she shouts at me. The word ‘hypocrite’ comes to mind.
“Abby doesn’t like the graphic signs we use. What about the “sign” of Jesus’ scourging and crucifixion that God showed us? That’s as graphic of a sign as has ever been or will ever be.”
Are you God, Scott?
Incidentally, all caps can be used as emphasis, not necessarily for “yelling.”
I’m being conformed to His Likeness more every day, JoAnna. Are you?
JoAnna, all caps along with multiple exclamation marks (which you conveniently ‘forgot’ to mention) are definitely considered yelling on the internet and you know it.
Incidentally, all caps can be used as emphasis, not necessarily for “yelling.”
Hi Joanna. I do that FREQUENTLY. No, I wasn’t yelling!!
Exclamation points are also used for emphasis, Scott. Generally if someone is yelling, their entire sentence or paragraph is in all caps. For example: THIS IS YELLING! But THIS is emphasis!
Scott, I too can only humbly hope that I am conforming myself to God’s will every day. However, that’s not what I asked you.
God obliterated entire nations. Does that mean that you, Scott, can therefore justify committing genocide with impunity? That sounds like an argument that abortionists would use.
Hey guys let’s not get carried away here, it’s good to exchange ideas but there’s no need to beat each other up over the different methods of sending the pro-life message. I mean people have different ideas and experiences about what is more effective. It’s good to come together and try to figure out what is the best approach to dealing with abortion supporters, just for the sake of the cause. The fact is, this is a hard question. Sometimes it’s hard to get through to people who strongly oppose your views. People react differently, some people are genuine and when presented with a compassionate, reasonable argument they will listen to the person. If what you say taps into their conscience, they will remember that.
However, some people will harden themselves and when they are given a strong argument against them they will dig their heels and try to hold their ground. These people aren’t going to be moved by compassion, in fact they build on it, they will just be more aggressive and use that kindness against you. Sometimes they will get loud and try to drown you out or they will say whatever excuse they can think of to rationalize their pro-choice stance. For some people it’s not about doing what’s right it’s about doing what they want to do. Some people might need to just hear the cold hard truth and see the graphic images so they can see what abortion really is. It may not be ideal but it might be necessary to save some lives.
It is hard to change minds so we shouldn’t beat each other up for trying differnt approaches. My advice is to just use your best discretion in each situation but always be as respectful as possible. Remember theres a difference between being firm and aggressive and just being rude and hostile.
I think Live Action is the PERFECT place for Abby to do the most good. With her inside knowledge of the inner workings of PP, she could be a crucial part in developing new strategies for Live Action projects to expose PP’s true face to the world through undercover video stings and other projects. It’s the EXACT right place for Abby to be. Bravo!
“Exclamation points are also used for emphasis, Scott. Generally if someone is yelling, their entire sentence or paragraph is in all caps. For example: THIS IS YELLING! But THIS is emphasis!”
Yelling is emphasis, emphasis is yelling. It’s all the same thing on the internet. She had no reason to use caps or multiple exclamation points. I can read lower case just as easily as upper case.
“Scott, I too can only humbly hope that I am conforming myself to God’s will every day. However, that’s not what I asked you.
God obliterated entire nations. Does that mean that you, Scott, can therefore justify committing genocide with impunity? That sounds like an argument that abortionists would use.”
JoAnna, that is a terrible analogy. Could God have saved us through His Son without the scourging and crucifixion?
I agree with JS, by the way.
Right, Scott, it’s used for emphasis and yelling. Based on the context, it’s clearly meant as emphasis and not yelling. Besides… you claim that yelling works, but Abby “yelling” at you (as you seem to think) clearly did not work to change your mind. Why do you think it would work to change the mind of a terrified woman who is already under a lot of mental stress and anxiety?
“Could God have saved us through His Son without the scourging and crucifixion?”
Sure, He could’ve. And when you have been scourged and crucified for the sins of man, then you can justify turning tables in the temple and driving out the money changers. But until then you might want to follow His word, such as in the Scriptures I posted above. Here’s another one for you:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
Proverbs 15:1, 18
Like I said, emphasis IS yelling and vice versa on the internet. Everyone knows that. Yelling does work, JoAnna. An average of 100 times per year that we know of. How many more times do I have to say it before you get it?
So try to keep up, JoAnna. If God could have saved us without Jesus being scourged and crucified, why was Jesus scourged and crucified and why did God put it in His Word?
I guess you should have been around to remind Jesus of those verses when He was at the temple.
Emphasis and yelling are two different things, Scott. They are not the same.
I don’t know why God chose the method he did for our redemption. Probably to show us the breadth and depth of his love – “Greater love hath no man than this, to lay his life down for his friends.” If I am fortunate enough to get to Heaven someday, I will ask Him.
Jesus had every right to do as he did at the temple, since He is God. Righteous anger is sometimes justified. But in this case, yelling and verbal abuse harms more than it helps.
The fall 2008 campaign of 40 Days for Life saved over 500 babies, Scott — more than 100 per year. What does that tell you?
I disagree, but even if they’re not, you don’t know if Abby was yelling or emphasizing.
You should know why. It’s telling that you don’t. He chose scourging and crucifixion for Jesus to show us how incredibly ugly sin is, just like us using signs to show how incredibly ugly child killing is. Abby Johnson is simply wrong for telling us otherwise.
Again, I disagree. First of all, it’s not verbal abuse. Second of all, you cannot know if what we say to moms and dads going in to kill their children harms more than it helps. You simply cannot know that.
Over 500 babies where? At one abortion mill? In one state? In this country? Worldwide? The 100 average saved by us every year is at the one mill in Denver. And these are confirmed saves. We actually talk to the moms and follow up with them.
You know the mind and heart of God, Scott? I would never be so presumptuous.
You simply cannot know if your words do good, either. Perhaps someone who was ambivalent about getting an abortion heard the verbal abused hurled at her as she went into the clinic, and was so angry at being attacked that she went through with the abortion, or became so upset that it was easier for PP workers to talk her into an abortion. You simply cannot know how many people your words may have harmed instead of helped.
Re: the 500+ babies saved during the fall 2008 40 Days for Life campaign, Scott, read the link I provided.
That’s what the Bible is for, JoAnna. Are you a Catholic or something? If so, that explains your lack of knowledge of God’s Word.
So 100 plus saves a year and we can’t know if our words do good? Seriously? What evidence do you need? Are you arguing just for the sake of arguing or what? You’re starting to look pretty foolish here, JoAnna.
I don’t want to read all that. Please answer if it’s one mill, an entire state, the United States, or worldwide. That’s easy enough.
I am Catholic, Scott, but I was Protestant for 22 years prior to my conversion. I’ve read more Scripture in the last 7 years as a Catholic then I ever did as a Protestant.
Incidentally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, Faith in God the Father Almighty can be put to the test by the experience of evil and suffering. God can sometimes seem to be absent and incapable of stopping evil. But in the most mysterious way God the Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil. Christ crucified is thus “the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” It is in Christ’s Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth “the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe”. (para. 272)
You may have saved 100 babies through verbal abuse, Scott, but think of how many more you might have saved through prayerful witness. Think of the abortion workers you could have converted. Think of the women who may have had abortions as a result of your verbal abuse that you don’t know about.
From the article I linked to: ““It’s Day 40 — and I have great news to share! As of right now, we know of 541 babies — and their mothers — that God has spared from abortion,” national organizer Shawn Carney told LifeNews.com after the campaign. “That’s at least 3,352 since the first coordinated “40 Days for Life” campaign a mere three years ago [in 2005]. And who knows how many more that we’ll never hear about.”
Reading Scripture and understanding Scripture are two entirely different things, JoAnna. I can tell by our conversation that you don’t understand God’s message in His Word to us very well, at least in the context of what we’ve been discussing.
Neither you nor I have a crystal ball or a parallel universe to consult, JoAnna. There is absolutely no way you can know what you’re saying about our methods is true.
So how do the 40 Days for Life folks know how many babies have been saved? Have they personally verified and followed up with each and every mother of all those saves they are claiming?
Scott, by what authority do you say that my interpretation of Scripture is incorrect? I notice you have not provided Scriptural support for your view.
As for verification of babies saved, I don’t know how or if they track the mothers. I would imagine they do as they often send out updates via the mailing list about mothers whose babies were saved in past campaigns. To know for sure, you would have to ask those at 40 Days for Life: http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm?selected=contact
Are you a Catholic or something? If so, that explains your lack of knowledge of God’s Word.
Wow Scott.
I had the same reaction, Praxedes.
You’re starting to look pretty foolish here, JoAnna.
Not at all. I admire your charity and restraint on this thread, Joanna.
I said that because JoAnna doesn’t even know why God explained Jesus’ scourging and crucifixion so graphically in the Bible. Either that, or she simply cannot concede a point to me even when I present an accurate analogy.
Thanks for the 40 Days for Life link, JoAnna. I’ll contact someone and ask. I really do want to know how they verify the saves. We verify it with the moms at the time we talk to them at the mill and then we follow up with them. At any rate, even one save is cause for celebration.
Scott,
You are formally invited (although you actually don’t need an invitation) to attend any Catholic mass at any Catholic Church of your choice. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much of the mass is based in scripture. (ALL of it, actually. Read through one of the missals which are in every pew.) God bless.
I am dismayed at the tone Scott uses here – and to make anti-Catholic statements, to boot.
Scott – we appreciate your zeal – and we invite you to soften your approach. While what you do MAY SEEM the right way to you, Jesus came to invite men and women into a deeper reality with Him – and to pray and love one’s enemies. If Scott, you deem some of us as your enemy, since we use gentler methods and have had success, then why not pray that God’s will be done – that all in the Pro-Life movement have success – and that we can all get along to one end – to save the moms and babies from abortion.
And as a pro-lifer – to not have known the information for 40 days, the methods and their success – especially for someone ‘in the business’ for so long, I am surprised.
Keep up your success – and still bring people into the movement and into the peace of Christ with all you do. I am totally dismayed at your dismissal of someone who is Catholic. Such a shame. And such a pointed smear on a whole branch of Christendom. In fact – the main, most steady of the Christian witnesses for Life.
Scott – please soften in many ways. I know that you are passionate – and now it would be great if you can be passionate and loving at the same time. It can be done. I sense a huge frustration and upset here.
I wish you all of Christ’s peace – in all things.
Janet, Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness church services are based on Scripture as well. Would you say their interpretation of Scripture is correct or incorrect for the most part?
joyfromillinois, where have I deemed anyone my enemy? I have said that I appreciate the Catholics who show up at the Denver abortion mill. Numbers are great. It just would be nice if at least some of them would help us out a little more pleading with the moms and dads not to kill their children. After all, that’s what God is doing with His 6th commandment, “Thou shall not murder.” He’s pleading with us to not murder one another so I see nothing wrong with us doing the same thing with the moms and dads heading into Planned Parenthood. I haven’t attacked anyone else’s methods of trying to save preborn children. However, Abby Johnson vehemently attacked ours. Can’t both work to one degree or another?
Thank you for the “all of Christ’s peace” wishes, although I’m not sure what you mean by that.
I am sorry that you are so much on edge here – it shows up in the tone and content of writing. And wishing you all of Christ’s peace is exactly as it reads – wishing you all of what Christ has to offer – including all of his peace. That is what He wished for all of us.
Can you please take back the statement: ‘Are you a Catholic or something? If so, that explains your lack of knowledge of God’s Word.’ That is not a kind or true statement. And you have smeared a whole Christian class/group. No very nice or very pretty.
I know that the abortionists and those who use abortion or support it seem to be your enemy. Do you pray for them? While you are at the sidewalk? Wishing them Christ’s peace? Praying for them for conversion? A new job? How about the people here – who have a slightly different and yet successful approach.
Since today’s readings are about praying for everyone, including one’s enemies – I was wondering what your take is on that.
Running off to two meetings. ta-ta.
“Abby Johnson vehemently attacked”
Is a ”vehement attack” of capitalization and punctuation, which you perceive as yelling, subject to or exempt from Christ’s directive to forgive in Mt 18:21-22?
Janet, Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness church services are based on Scripture as well. Would you say their interpretation of Scripture is correct or incorrect for the most part?
Scott,
I don’t see how bringing two other religions into this discussion really advances the topic of this thread. That said, I think there are different times when the call-out method and the quiet/prayer/counseling method are appropriate. I’m reading Abby’s book. She was turned off by the more outrageous protestors and befriended and respected by the quieter ones. Perhaps seeing them side-by-side helped her warm up to the quieter ones quicker than she might have if she didn’t have that comparison to make. I don’t know. While I didn’t watch your video in Denver, I can see your point- that sometimes a louder approach is not a bad thing.
Abby’s book is very good – worth the purchase price IMHO. Good to read and pass on to pro-choicers and pro-lifers alike.
incidentally – some of out finest work happens when we don’t say a word to have someone come over – and we have had many instances when people just decide to leave – and we have not even had direct contact.
I bring out materials with a red heart on it – help in the community with my own home phone on it. I smile, wave, wave them over, motion the pamphlet and point to it and offer it to them. Many times, that is all it takes to have them come over. And then we talk.
When they come over, I thank them, introduce myself and I tell them a 4 sentence statement about my girlfriend who has no natural children due to her abortion history.
I have pamphlets, ask them their situation and love them. I am truly concerned for them, and I try to show them how we can help. Basically we give them hope – a breather – a pause for them to know that they have worth; we care; and we can pair with them to tackle the problems they see. We keep in touch when they wish. We give them loving and living options.
We show them models, pictures describing the baby – and yes – ask them to spare their child. But we do not call them murderers.
We remind them that when PP tells them the baby is just cells, they can look at the developing baby and know who is telling them the truth. If they are having a medical abortion, we remind them that no normal period requires anti-biotics. And when they demand anyone to produce ID, turn the phones off or not let anyone’s friend/husband/mother in with a scared patient – that is not normal – and in fact the clinic is where they are trying to make the sale. We get paid nothing. We have no vested interest in their aborting their child(ren).
There are lots of ways to have people change their minds – and we are there to help in every way we can.
We do what we can – I believe we are on the same page – we want women to let their babies live. We have different methods. But I can see that in some ways – you think that our way is not your way and you think we are not doing enough. Maybe the physical situation is different – and it is – but I see many yards of sidewalk where you CAN get the message across – the heart beats at 22 days/ Be a hero – save a life- say NO to abortion / free ultrasounds – get blue paper for coupon / there is a better choice -heart- come and see local and national help for you and your family…
You get the picture. You can reach out. Clever signs are very effective. having multiple signs to become a human billboard also works. And smiling and being loving works great.
Have a blessed evening.
I brought up Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses to point out that just because Catholics say their Mass is based on Scripture doesn’t mean they interpret Scripture correctly, just like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses do not. Being there are a lot of Catholics who come to the abortion mill in Denver, I and others have a lot of conversations with them concerning Scripture and I’m not impressed. I mean, JoAnna didn’t even know why Jesus was scourged and crucified so violently.
If you don’t have direct contact with someone, how can you possibly know they were there for an abortion? We would never count that as a save. We have materials with our own phone number on them along with two other couples’ numbers, and there are plenty of resources on the flyer for free ultrasounds, clothing, places to stay, etc. When they decide to talk, we take as much time as they want.
So someone please answer me this, was Abby Johnson right or wrong for totally condemning our methods of saving babies? That’s what really got all this started.
was Abby Johnson right or wrong for totally condemning our methods of saving babies? That’s what really got all this started.
Why does our opinion matter? You clearly believe that Abby has sinned against you and insulted your methods. Are you unable to forgive her and put the matter behind you?
Sorry for keeping this discussion going, but I can’t help myself. Been up all night doing taxes and FAFSA.
“Verbal abuse”, ”shouting murdered”, etc. – I don’t think Scott subjects the women to these, I hope. Might direct some invectives at the escorts and PP in general. Am I right, Scott? Being “peaceful” and “respectful” and “prayerful” doesn’t mean you have to be silent. I do sort of resent it when people say “we’re having a peaceful vigil”, inferring that the more noisy sorts are -what, violent?.
Remember, much of the time, voices are raised because of the bubble law. When you’re right up next to the girls, I don’t think anyone would be “verbally abusing” them, if that’s how you want to categorize raising one’s voice or speaking forcefully. You know, after watching the 100th woman pass by, some folks might begin to want to say something to get their attention. Shouldn’t be a problem once you’ve got their attention to switch gears and disarm them with kindness.
Vigils/protests at clinics are our holding pattern until we can get the personhood of the unborn established in at least one state. For every hour at a clinic, we should put in an equal amount of time into helping whatever states are working on Personhood campaigns -and, of course, in the next week, demanding (remember, be nice!) that the House leadership (in conference committee with the Senate leaders) not trade the Planned Parenthood defunding for a more palatable measure.
We Need to watch out not to get so focused on clinic vigils/protests that we miss opportunities in the political sphere when they come along – or neglect to create them.
A priest/friend used to say that Mary wears combat boots. The meek and mild attitude we equate with Christianity might be more a holdover from our Victorian era rather than an historical/biblical fact.
As parents most of us know that we don’t just pray for our kids, but we engage and challenge them. We have mouths, why act like we don’t? At least we could sing a rousing or mournful song.
My cousin, Fr. John Kaiser, who was martyred in Kenya in 2000, used to call out to the prostitutes as he walked down the street in Nairobi. I think that once he went up into one of their apartments and scolded (he had sort of a high voice)them saying “Don’t you know you’re all going to be dead of AIDS in 5 years”. He was the most loving and holy and courageous man I’ve known. Those women were his “sisters”. It might be we are quiet because we aren’t used to confronting with kindness and humor. It all seems negative to us. Confrontation, when motivated by love can bring reconciliation. Peace is not the result of passivity, but of reconciliation.
Scott – you’ve still not provided Scriptural support for your view as to why Jesus was scourged and crucified. Does your view have to do with continuing the paradigm of the Old Testament with the sacrifice of the Lamb by the high priest for the redemption of sin? If so, I agree with you there, too. I gave you my opinion, from Scripture, as well as an excerpt from the Catechism, but I am of the opinion that ultimately it is a mystery that we won’t know this side of Heaven, as God could have chosen other ways to redeem our sin.
Rather than mock me, why don’t you educate me?
Also, why don’t you head on over to http://forums.catholic.com and ask your question there? I bet you’ll find a plethora of Catholics who can give you a better answer than I can. (A word of warning, though, they have rules that all participants must be charitable in their questions and responses.)
Fed Up, I want to know if others feel the same way I do, that’s all. Everyone does that from time to time, correct?
JoAnna, up to that point in history, blood had to be spilled as a sacrifice for sin, correct? So Jesus’ blood is the sacrifice for our sin. God could have had someone simply kill Jesus with the edge of the sword and that would have accomplished our redemption. But instead, Jesus was brutally scourged beyond recognition and tortured on the Cross. As far as I know, there is no specific Biblical support why Jesus was slain in that manner as opposed to a much quicker death. My point is, Jesus was, in fact, brutally scourged beyond recognition and tortured to death on the Cross, and God placed every agonizing detail of it in His Word. If God wanted us to see the results of our sin so graphically, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with us showing the results of child-killing so graphically.
Here is a new video of Abby Johnson that all her supporters must see. Tell me what you think of her remarks in this press conference about passage of the Texas sonogram bill. Abby’s remarks start at 4:37:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLXrepMCPLY
Here is an interesting radio interview of Abby Johnson one day after her self-proclaimed epiphany due to witnessing an abortion on ultrasound and being deeply disturbed by it. Does she sound deeply disturbed to you?:
http://www.livestream.com/fairandfeminist/video?clipId=pla_26dae5cc-bfcf-4e36-9238-6b7c32b50925