Many of us didn't make the February training sessions that were offered for sidewalk counseling and pro-life persuasion. However, it's very likely that we may find ourselves in situations this spring where it would be good to have some tools of the pro-life trade. So I'd like to outline two basic approaches in dealing with the abortion issue: one to be taken with abortion-minded women, and the other with everyone else.
When dealing with an abortion-minded woman (e.g., sidewalk counseling), we must keep in mind that the woman is focused on herself; she has already spiritually 'aborted' her baby. She can be persuaded to change her mind if she becomes afraid that the abortion may have some evil effect on herself. We therefore focus the discussion on the harmful effects of abortion on the woman and her relationships with others before bringing up the harmful effects of abortion on the baby. We also try to determine what is happening (is the woman being forced into the abortion, are there medical or financial needs?), and offer appropriate resources (click here for our list of local crisis pregnancy resources). Most women do not really want to have an abortion, as it goes against their natural motherly instinct.
When discussing the abortion issue with folks at large, we focus on the identity of the unborn as a human person, who is therefore worthy of respect and dignity. We don't kill innocent human beings, and since that is what the unborn is we shouldn't kill the unborn. This is easily proven through science and logic. Some people will then argue that the unborn are not persons, and therefore they don't have the right to life. Our question to that response is "Why not?" and use their answer to find other persons with similar qualities that are still persons (e.g., the young, the handicapped, the deformed, the sleeping). All humans have an immortal soul with an intellect and will (even if they're not using it right now), and this sets them above animals, and gives them their proper dignity.
The whole point of pro-life dialogue is to change minds and hearts, thereby saving lives. We care about all human beings not just the unborn. Safeguarding the youngest and most innocent among us will have a good effect across the life spectrum. Who knows, the life you save may be your own!
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