Monday, February 25, 2019

Debate Video: The Abortion Debate- Dr. Willie Parker vs. Dr. Mike Adams


This past Thursday, as Josh Shepherd writes, "two leading voices on the most contentious issue in America — abortion and reproductive rights — challenged each other’s positions in a moderated debate at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.  It comes as public dialogue on life issues has been widespread, sparked by several state bills to legalize late-term abortion."1

Regardless of your position in the abortion debate, this debate is a must watch.

To learn more about the debate and the participates, go here.

You can find a useful review of the debate here.

Here is another great debate featuring Adams.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. Josh Shepherd, "WATCH: Abortion Provider Spars With Pro-Life Expert in Explosive University Debate," February 23, 2019.

Related Posts


Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion

The Testimony of Former Abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino

Brian Fisher on the Federal Government and Abortion

Monday, February 18, 2019

Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion

We did a series two years ago that featured responses to four dishonest ways people commonly argue about abortion.  With the pro-abortion choice movement recently putting forth such outlandish legislation, we thought it might be a good idea to condense these responses into a single post so they are easily assessable.  We hope you find them helpful!



Pt. 1- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion- Confuse moral claims with preference claims.

Pt. 2- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion- You're a man!  What right do you have to speak on abortion?

Pt. 3- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion- Assume the very thing you are trying to prove.

Pt. 4- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion- Disguise your true position by appealing to the "hard" cases.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Book Review: We Choose Life- General Editor Dave Sterrett

When Pro-Abortion Choice Rhetoric Hurts

Answering a Poor Pro-Abortion Choice Argument

Friday, February 15, 2019

Debate Video- Scott Klusendorf vs. Nadine Strossen- Abortion: Is this a Reproductive Right or a Moral Wrong?


When discussing abortion, emotions certainly can run high.  That is why it is so important to be able to think well about the topic.  In this debate, Scott Klusendorf of the Life Training Institute debates Nadine Strossen of the ACLU.  The debate is intense, but respectful.  

Enjoy!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Is Brain Function Required to be a Human Being?

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Free Advance Pro-Life Argument Course

Thursday, February 14, 2019

The Testimony of Former Abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino


In this talk, former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino describes the tragic events that led him to see the value of the lives of all unborn children and dedicate his medical practice to God.  During the talk, Levatino makes reference to a second trimester abortion.  Although he does not describe it in detail here, he has elsewhere as follows:

"The toughest part of a D&E abortion is extracting the baby's head. The head of a baby that age is about the size of a large plum and is now free floating inside the uterine cavity. You can be pretty sure you have hold of it if the Sopher clamp is spread about as far as your fingers will allow. You will know you have it right when you crush down on the clamp and see white gelatinous material coming through the cervix. That was the baby's brains. You can then extract the skull pieces. Many times a little face will come out and stare back at you."1

We must not be silent!  

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. As quoted by Dave Sterrett in We Choose Life, p. 15; I apologize for the graphic nature of this quote, but the truth must be told.

Related Posts

The Cognitive Dissonance of Abortion

Quote: Former Abortionist turned Pro-Life Advocate Dr. Anthony Levatino Describes a Second Trimester Abortion

Video: Why Abortion is Unjust Discrimination

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Free Film: We Choose Life by Dave Sterrett


In 2016, I had the opportunity to review Dave Sterrett's wonderful book, We Choose Life.  You can find my review here.  The book includes 17 different essays written by various individuals of all walks of life.  The list includes former abortion workers, individuals conceived through rape or incest, and men who confess to struggling with post-abortive guilt.  Further, as an added bonus, the work features an appendix written by Life Training Institute's Scott Klusendorf demonstrating to the reader how to make the case for life in 5 minutes or less.

The above film offers a look at some of the stories contained in We Choose Life.  I encourage our readers to not only view this film, but also share it with others!

My notes are as follows:
  • Right away the video mentions forgiveness, healing and hope.  This is precisely what followers of Christ need to be ready to offer those who have made the choice to have an abortion.
  • Sterrett's sincere passion and love for others is evident in the beginning of the film.  
  • The gospel is shared clearly within the first 3 minutes.  Amen!
  • Sterrett compares slavery to abortion and uses the S.L.E.D. approach in arguing for the unborn. Well done!
  • The racist ideas of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Singer are highlighted.  For more on Singer, go here.
  • Ephesians 5:11 and Proverbs 24:10-12 are shared in an effort to call Christians to action.
  • Former Planned Parenthood employee Ramona Trevino shares her story.
  • Trevino became pregnant at 16 and shortly after became a manager at Planned Parenthood.
  • She shares how she confronted the moral implications of her job.  
  • It is noteworthy that someone who was so involved in the abortion industry readily admits that what is in the womb is an "innocent baby."
  • Sterrett shares Proverbs 31:8 and shares a powerful illustration.
  • I am impressed with Sterrett's ability to remain both empathetic, but uncompromising in regard to the truth about abortion.
  • Sterrett wisely encourages those standing for the unborn to focus on the question, "What is the unborn?"
  • Sterrett explains the S.L.E.D. test in more detail.  All defenders of the unborn need to learn this method.  Learn it here.
  • He continues by addressing some common objections or claims made by the pro-abortion choice crowd.  Most notably, he addresses the oft-repeated claim that in the case of rape, abortion is okay.  For more on this common claim, go here.
  • He also addresses the oft-repeated claim that "While I'm personally against abortion, we should not make it illegal.  It should be between a woman, her doctor and her God."
  • Sterrett uses a tactic called, "Trotting out the Toddler."  You can learn more about that tool here.
  • Lila Rose of Live Action shares her story.
  • During Rose's story, an image is shared of a child that had been aborted in the first trimester. While some would object to the use of such imagery, I would contend that if there is nothing wrong with abortion, what is the problem?  In other words, if some pro-abortion choice advocates are right, and this isn't a child, then how is this any different than looking at a liver that has been removed?  I believe we all know, deep down, that it is a baby, and that is why some object to the use of such imagery.
  • Rose shares that her organization is determined to expose the lies surrounding abortion and, more specifically, the lies told by Planned Parenthood.  For more on the lies told by PP, see here.
  • Sterrett shares the beauty of a child in the womb as seen through sonograms. 
  • He then defends the use of pictures in changing the minds of those that are pro-abortion choice.
  • Sterrett continues by explaining what exactly abortion is.  He shares the different types of abortion that are popular.  Graphic video footage is shown.  Again, in my view, if you are going to defend abortion, own it.  While this footage is shocking, it needs to be seen.
  • Melissa Ohden shares her story of surviving a botched abortion and being adopted.  This testimony is powerful.  
This is a powerful film that needs to be seen far and wide by both Christians and non-Christians. Sterrett does a great job of integrating powerful arguments with impactful stories.  

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Monday, February 11, 2019

Abby Johnson and Unplanned the Movie


Abby Johnson was a Planned Parenthood director in Texas who, after witnessing an actual abortion procedure, became a leading pro-life advocate.  The trailer above is for an upcoming film (March 29th) that is based upon Johnson's excellent book, Unplanned.  In the first chapter of the book, the author describes the gut-wrenching moment she witnessed an abortion first-hand for the first time:

"The cannula (a straw-shaped instrument attached to the end of the suction tube) was already being rotated by the doctor, and now I could see the tiny body violently twisting with it.  For the briefest moment it looked as if the baby were being wrung like a dishcloth, twirled and squeezed.  And then the little baby crumpled and began disappearing into the cannula before my eyes.  The last thing I saw was the tiny, perfectly formed backbone sucked into the tube, and then everything was gone.  And the uterus was empty.  Totally empty." [p. 6]

Afterwards, Johnson lamented:

"How much damage have these hands done over the past eight years?  How many lives have been taken because of them?  Not just because of my hands, but because of my words.  What if I'd known the truth, and what if I'd told all those women?...I had believed a lie!  I had blindly promoted the 'company line' for so long.  Why?  Why hadn't I searched out the truth for myself?  Why had I closed my ears to the arguments I'd heard?  Oh dear God, what had I done?" [p. 7]

A few years ago, Truthbomb Apologetics hosted a local event that featured Mrs. Johnson as a speaker.  It was a delight getting to know her and listening to her defend the unborn.  

Johnson's book offers "an insider's perspective on Planned Parenthood's practices as well as the heartfelt, but misguided efforts of some radical antiabortion activists."  It also tells the story of how Planned Parenthood's former "employee of the year," became one of its biggest critics.  

I encourage our readers to see the film and consider picking up Mrs. Johnson's book.  Regardless of your position in the abortion debate, you should be sure that you are not believing a lie and that you are not without the truth about abortion.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Live Action, Snopes and Planned Parenthood's "Prenatal Care"

Late-Term Abortion, the Life of the Mother and the 3rd Presidential Debate

Could Acceptance of Abortion Be a Matter of Ignorance?

Book Review: The Walls Are Talking: Former Abortion Clinic Workers Tell Their Stories

Quote: Former Abortionist turned Pro-Life Advocate Dr. Anthony Levatino Describes a Second Trimester Abortion

Friday, February 01, 2019

Article: C.S. Lewis and 8 Reasons for Believing in Objective Morality

One version of the moral argument for God's existence is as follows:

1. If God does not exist, objective moral truths do not exist.
2. Objective moral truths exist.
3. Therefore, God exists.

In this featured article, Stephen S. Jordan of Moral Apologetics offers 8 reasons to believe that P2 is indeed true.  They are as follows:
  • Quarreling between two or more individuals
  • It's obvious that an objective moral standard exists.
  • Mistreatment
  • Measuring value systems
  • Attempting to improve morally
  • Reasoning over moral issues
  • Feeling a sense of obligation over moral matters
  • Making excuses for not behaving appropriately
Jordan writes:

"The cornerstone of the moral argument is the existence of an objective moral standard. If there really is a standard of right and wrong that holds true regardless of our opinions and emotions, then the moral argument has the ability to convince. However, apart from the existence of such an objective standard, moral arguments for God’s existence (and Christian theism) quickly lose their persuasive power and morality as a whole falls to the realm of subjective preference. Although I could say a fair amount about what the world would be like if morality really was a matter of preference (consider The Purge), the purpose of this article is to provide reasons for believing in objective morality (or “moral realism,” as philosophers call it)."

You can checkout this excellent article here.

I would also encourage readers to checkout the excellent resources available at Moral Apologetics.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Article: 5 Common Objections to the Moral Argument by Paul Rezkalla

Presenting the Moral Argument Clearly

Article: Can Moral Objectivism Do Without God? by Peter S. Williams