by Maggie Ferrara

Two years ago today, when I was 6 weeks pregnant, I was assaulted for speaking out against abortion.

My colleague Jackie and I were displaying pictures of aborted babies on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) when a girl walked up to us and started pouring orange juice over the sign I was holding. Before I even realized what was happening, she raised her arm and poured the remainder of the bottle over my head and face. Then she quickly turned and walked away. Shocked, we called out after her, “Hey, what are you doing?” But she remained silent. As my eyes stung and my face dripped, Jackie dropped her sign and flagged down the nearby policeman. The girl was arrested immediately.

Thankfully, we were each wearing a GoPro video camera, which captured the entire incident and made it all extremely easy for the Commonwealth’s Attorney assigned to my case. (See above.) The arresting officer, who was a VCU Policeman, mentioned later that the school was considering expelling her for her actions. That seemed harsh to me, but I didn’t know what an appropriate punishment should be.

Several weeks later, in a Richmond City court room, the judge gave her sentence: 100 hours of community service and a verbal apology to me (which she completed immediately). But that wasn’t all. My orange juice assailant, Rachel, had to write a three-page paper about the importance of The First Amendment and return to court to read it into the record. I couldn’t have come up with any better punishment!

Sometimes I think back to this incident and wonder about Rachel. I don’t really know anything about her except her name. But I wonder. What motivated her to pour orange juice on me? Why was she silent during her attack? Did she regret her actions immediately, or when she was arrested, or maybe not until much later? I assume she does now. These and many other questions come to mind. I also wonder if she still thinks about it. Does she think about me? She didn’t know any more about me than I did about her. She didn’t know I was pregnant when she attacked me. If she had known, would that have mattered to her?

I will probably never know the answers to these questions. But I can pray for Rachel, and so I will.

Maggie Ferrara is the Communications Director for The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. She has been a pro-life missionary for almost 9 years. She lives in Virginia with her husband and daughter.

CBR Staffer Mik’aela Raymond explains that just because an act is government sanctioned, doesn’t mean it is right.

We had not been to the University of Georgia in many years, and our return last fall did not disappoint. Students and faculty showed up with visceral reactions, shouting the usually obscenity or ad-hominem attack. However, several students came back with calmer, even remorseful, spirits.   It was in these pockets of humility that we found opportunities to share truth.

Google is on our side. “Fetuses are not human,” one woman emphatically claimed. CBR Staffer Mik’aela Raymond responded, “If these organisms aren’t human what species are they?”  “We’re not talking about organisms, they are just one cell,” the woman explained.  She attempted to use Google to prove her point.  Fortunately, our scientific sources check out with “Google science”.  She was confused upon reading the results of her search — a human being is a living organism from it’s most humble single-celled beginning.

180 degree, “About-Face!” A young man returned to our display to re-visit a conversation with Mik’aela.  “I was rather incendiary yesterday; that was wrong. I shouldn’t have acted that way and I am sorry.” He went on to admit, “I have a different view now than an hour ago.”

Actions speak louder than words. “Get off our campus; we don’t %^$&*n want you here.” A woman was visibly upset during her first visit to our display.  The next day, she returned and hung around the display all day long — listening to various conversations, staying silent. When asked if her mind had changed at all she said “No”,  but her radically shifted countenance spoke much louder than her words.

The truth is solid! A group of five men huddled around CBR volunteer Marie. One piped up to ask, “How do you justify comparing abortion to genocide?” Marie explained, “When we fail to recognize the humanity of an entire group of people it enables us to justify all kinds of violence against them.” The group fell silent, then one said “Solid!”  He left.  The second said “Solid!” and left.  The third said “Solid!” and left.  The last two stayed for a continued dialogue.  It was like a scene out of a movie!

Dear conservative, freedom-loving student,

When we met you on campus some time ago, you mentioned your grades suffering because of your conservative views.

Yes, taking a stand against evil will always cost you something.  It’s much safer to go to sit quietly at Pizza for Jesus meetings, soak it in, and do little else … and it is very tempting.  But I’d like you to consider a world being run by these people:

These thugs use violence to intimidate and shut down people they don’t like.  And they don’t like you.

Teachers who threaten you or punish you for your views are no different.  Maybe they don’t wear masks of cloth, but they use their lofty positions as masks of respectability.  And they are nothing more than bullies trying to shield themselves from accountability for their thuggery.  Don’t be afraid of them.

But I have to tell you that, unfortunately, they do have a clear path to victory.  Edmund Burke showed us their roadmap.  He said that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”  That’s why they threaten you, so that you will do nothing and they will win.  When they do, we all lose … and we lose more than just good grades.

Please consider two kingdoms.  The first is our earthly kingdom, the United States and the freedom, security, and prosperity it offers.  Please consider what your freedom cost, from our the founding of our nation until the present day.

We are reminded of the cost when we see the monuments to fallen soldiers at Bunker Hill, at King’s Mountain, at Flanders Field, at Normandy, at Manilla, and many other places around the globe.  Hundreds of thousands have given their lives so that we can live free.  And not just we alone, but hundreds of millions of others around the globe who were rescued from tyranny by the blood of US soldiers.

The second is the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus said when we stand for truth, we will be persecuted.  He said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).  But he also said to count it a blessing: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

I count it a blessing to be in this battle with you.  Let us heed the words of  Winston Churchill, who famously encouraged his nation during the darkest hours of WWII.  “Let us neither flag nor fail.  Let us fight on to the end,” for the alternative is to be governed by thugs, and that is unthinkable.

Thanks,
Fletcher

Much has changed in our world this past month, but three things have not changed:

1. Abortion providers are still killing children, and the death toll far surpasses that of the COVID-19 threat.
2. CBR is still working for the helpless.  As long as babies are dying, our work to make abortion unthinkable goes on.
3. God is still in control.  We don’t need to panic; we can choose to trust in and follow Him.

As each of us is bombarded with pandemic news and opinion, please do not forget the less visible (but just as real) plight of abortion victims.  Continue to be a witness and a light in the darkness, knowing that “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Although we can’t take abortion images to large crowds on college campuses (for the time being), there is still much important work we can do.  Please be in prayer for the following needs:

1. Summer Intern Program.  We are already training our 5 new interns to raise their own support for the summer. Please pray specifically for Maggie, Heidi, Annie, Brittany and Merissa.  Upon arrival in May, their schedules are packed with intensive training, displays at Christian events, urban GAP, and other forms of street activism.
2. Pro-Life Leadership Youth Camp.  We are collaborating with other pro-life ministries to plan a one-week day camp for middle and high-school students.  Our vision is to empower each student to “stand strong against the storm.” (Matthew 7:24-25)  Learn more at www.vimeo.com/282887769 (3.5 minutes).
3. All Black Lives Matter at the African American History Museum.  We are working the phones to recruit staff and volunteers and to partner with churches in the DC area.  When the Museum reopens, we will be ready!
4. Fall GAP planning.  We are seeking pro-life students to invite us to bring GAP to major universities in Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee.

There’s even more.  We are also recruiting new staff/interns, performing much-needed maintenance on our RCC truck and DOT compliance program, updating our computer databases and systems, and revising our project handouts, to name just a few!  Plus, we’ll soon take our interns back out to the streets with our huge hand-held signs (Lord willing).

In addition to prayer, please continue to support our work financially, as you are able.  Many of our staff are still only partially funded, and they need your help to stay in the fight.  The universities are closed, but the bills keep on coming!

We thank God for you, and we are praying for your health and peace during this time of uncertainty.  Please let us know how we can pray for you, and feel free to send our staff any notes of encouragement.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38-39

Your friend for Life,
Fletcher

P.S. God said, “And I sought for a man among them, that should … stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30)  Will you keep standing in the GAP with me?  Please click here to help end abortion.

Hundreds of students are shown the reality of “Choice” in between classes.

Once again, our recent visit to Chapel Hill exposed many a “tolerant” college student to be less supportive of the free speech, and more “if I don’t like what you have to say, I have the right to yell, hit, and destroy.”

Even though many students were angry, they ended up attracting even more students to the display. These calmer students quietly observed the pictures and began wondering if abortion is as clear-cut at they thought.

Dead child, better parent? “I aborted my child with Down Syndrome because of the life it would have had. I think my husband and I are better parents because of the abortion.” This woman told CBR staffer Joshua Lindsey that her profession, ironically, involves working with people with special needs.

Abortion hurts men, too. A mild-mannered man wanted to know if there are truly any women who want a strong man in their life. “On this campus, women don’t seem to want a man to speak anything into their lives.” This gentleman raised an interesting, yet sad point – with abortion, fatherhood is sometimes taken from a man who is willing to be there for his family.

A path toward healing. Two women approached the Free Speech Board, one crying and one comforting. The first was post-abortive and needed a hug, the love of Jesus, and post-abortion materials. They received all three, and left, late for class. Praise God the truth of GAP was an impetus toward healing for this young woman.

Thank God her mom didn’t think the same way. A young woman boldly proclaimed, “I would be more concerned about pushing an 8 pound baby out of my body, breaking bones and stretching skin than anything else.”

Students flocked to GAP in between classes. Many had never seen what it is that abortion does to a baby.

Fall 2019 was full to the brim with eventful campus visits…to say the least. We hosted the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in October, where the student body came out in swarms to see our display.

Check out press coverage of our visit:

•  Anti-abortion exhibit spurs counter-protests from campus activists
•  Maya Little arrested Monday after group protesting abortion came to campus
•  Doctoral student Maya Little arrested by UNC Police

CBR Staffer Joanna Kielson and a volunteer answer a young man’s questions about abortion and rape.

At East Carolina University (ECU), students flocked to our Genocide Awareness Project (GAP). Some had unfounded claims, others brought quirky questions, and still more came with minds eager to learn. Here is a snapshot of the weird and wonderful!

Can a tomato really think? “If you are pro-life, you need to be a vegan.” There it was again — the well-worn argument posed to catch a pro-lifer off guard. CBR staffer Joshua Lindsey quickly challenged the young man’s statement, “Sure, you are still (technically) killing even when you eat veggies, but we all take it for granted that veggies can’t think.” Joshua stood in disbelief as he heard the young man’s reply, “Actually tomatoes can think. There is a book that says tomatoes can think.”

Knowledge is power. CBR volunteer Tony spoke briefly with Justin, a freshman. Justin admitted, “Abortion is crazy. I was pro-choice, but now being informed about it, I’m having different ideas of if it should be legal (or not).” No wonder the other side works so hard to cover up abortion; they know that once people see for themselves, the lies that justify abortion begin to crumble.

Who wants to cancel Halloween? A group of students approached the display and immediately proclaimed their feelings: “Your pictures are traumatizing and make us feel unsafe. They cause PTSD.” Quick to point out a double-standard,  Joshua mentioned that there was a bloody hand picture in the student center advertising a movie for Halloween. He said, “That doesn’t upset you because it isn’t real. Abortion is real. If I asked for Halloween to be canceled (because some find it offensive), you would laugh me out of the room.” The student reported: “You WILL NOT cancel Halloween.”

The healthcare deception. A male nursing student was appalled. “I was trained to believe abortion was a good thing; that it was simply the removal of a clump of cells. I have been mis-taught and deceived.”

God is faithful to provide. Tommy encouraged us, “Yeah, these are big pictures, and you are doing a great work.”

A student protests GAP at ECU.

In October 2019, CBR headed to Greenville, North Carolina for a return visit to East Carolina University. We captured the attention of the campus for the two days with our Genocide Awareness Project.

Check out the press coverage of our visit:

•  Anti-abortion display should have been reconsidered
• Group calls abortion ‘genocide’ at ECU

CBR Staffer Maggie Ferrara explains that human beings are valuable no matter how they were conceived.

When we began planning GAP at The College of William & Mary (W&M), we contacted the pro-life student organization, Tribe for Life.  They refused to work with us; a common decision among pro-life college students. The reality is, most pro-life student groups think that being liked around campus will help end abortion. How wrong they are.

On our first day at W&M, a member of Tribe for Life approached CBR staffer Jane Bullington and said, “I think we made a mistake not working with you guys. Pro-lifers need to stick together.”  Praise God this student was able to see the effectiveness of GAP, and was willing to step forward.

Nothing like a good ad hominem. Jane asked two passing girls, “How are you?” One replied, “Fine until you stuck this in my face! You are wrong and stupid and ignorant and I don’t like being forced to see this.” Her friend continued, “We wouldn’t be so angry if you just showed aborted fetus pictures. Piggy-backing on these other events from long ago only weakens your argument.” Somehow, we doubt you wouldn’t be so angry if that’s what we did.

Facts or feelings? CBR staffer Maggie Ferrara spoke with a student who claimed that life doesn’t begin at fertilization, but it also doesn’t begin at birth. He decided it began sometime in between those two events. He refused to look at the list of academic sources Maggie offered him, saying that he could go into the library and find sources that disagreed with ours. Maggie encouraged him to do his own research and not rely on when he “feels” like life begins.

Kill your child, or risk stretch marks? Annie told CBR staffer Joshua, “I use my body every day, and pregnancy would take too much of a toll on my body. Especially if I were raped, I would get an abortion to preserve my body and prevent stretch marks.” A human life, or stretch marks? They’re about equal in importance, wouldn’t you say?

Vulgarity abounds. One girl yelled as she walked pass the display, “If I wanted the government in my vagina, I’d f*** a senator.” Another gave us the middle finger while snarling, “You disgust me.”

Williamsburg Democrats claim our photos are doctored. Maggie talked to an older gentleman who received an email from the Williamsburg Democrats, claiming our photos were doctored. He went to our website (AbortionNO.org) and then responded to the email, “Why do you claim the photos are doctored? That does not add anything to this debate.” Maggie told him, regarding the authenticity of our photos, to use common sense. If you don’t believe our proof (affidavits from a doctor and photographer), you can look at fetal development and at how abortions are performed, and can logically deduce that the end result would look like our pictures. He nodded, “Yes, that makes sense.” 

CBR SE Director Fletcher Armstrong answers the questions of a growing crowd.

At W&M, there was plenty of good to counterbalance the plenty of bad. Many students spoke words of encouragement. Some maintained intellectual honesty even if they didn’t agree with us. Others shared personal testimonies which affirmed what we know to be true: God is the creator and sustainer of life. Here are a few flickers of hope:

Open minds see the truth. A young man spent time talking to us, and to the protesters across the green. “You guys have the arguments. The other side only has posters that say you are hateful. No information at all.”

Photographs promote understanding. CBR staffer Joshua Lindsey talked with a girl who understood exactly why we were on campus because she recently visited the Holocaust Museum. She told Joshua, “I always knew the Holocaust was wrong, but it didn’t become real to me until I saw the photographs of the victims.”

Watering a pro-life sapling. Nick spent almost an hour talking with CBR staffer Jane Bullington. Nick said he was Christian and pro-life but didn’t think our method was best. Jane calmly answered his many questions and listened to his thoughts. After a long while he said “I just realized how middle-of-the-road I really am on this issue. I need some time to think about this.” Jane agreed and encouraged him as he left. She told him, “Thank you for being a blessing to me, with your honesty and desire to be truly pro-life, in word and deed.” Sometimes we plant the seed, sometimes we water that seed, sometimes we bring in the harvest. But God always fills in the gaps.

Forcing people to care. CBR staffer Mik’aela talked to a group of girls for a long time, answering all their questions. They were particularly interested in why we use images to support our pro-life position. Finally, one of the girls said, “It sounds like your purpose in bringing these pictures here is to foster conversation, because people aren’t going to care about talking about abortion otherwise.” You got it!

CBR Staffer Maggie Ferrara answers the “rape” question.

Our first visit to The College of William & Mary (W&M) in historic Williamsburg, Virginia shook the campus.  Thousands of students and faculty saw the truth of abortion for the first time, and they could not stop talking about it.

Check out press coverage of our visit:

• Protests, while distressing, emphasize supportive, kind collegiate student body
• Upsetting protests offer poor reflection of pro-life movement, harm students
•  William and Mary students hold counter-protest during anti-abortion demonstration
• Wed April 24, 2019. Letter written by David Scheeveil of James City County.  Mr. Scheeveil writes a letter to the editor of the Virginia Gazette in response to SaraRose Martin’s article (see above).
  • “Why is it that the protest side of events and issues gets the headlines and becomes the focus of stories published and promoted by the news media? Isn’t it correct to say that the event of that day was a pro-life demonstration? Why couldn’t there have been a title to this article like ‘Pro-life group holds anti-abortion demonstration at W&M’? Then if you wanted to say something about the fact that protesters to the event also rallied to voice their concerns with the display, that’s fair game. I just get a little tired of always seeing the liberal perspective being the headlines.”
• W&M’s pro-life student organization, Tribe for Life, released a statement on Facebook in opposition to CBR’s demonstration:
  • “We have spoken directly with the Center, asking them to refrain from demonstrating at W&M. Please know that Tribe for Life is in no way associated with it.”

Lee U student learns that God is appalled when we do nothing about injustice.

“We are almost all pro-life…” said a Lee University student who opposed our March 2019 visit.  If that is true, then why are “almost all” Lee students, alumni, administrators, and faculty—and their churches—doing almost nothing to end abortion? 

Unfortunately, almost doesn’t count when innocent babies are being slaughtered by Christians and non-Christians alike.  Many students and faculty at Lee University had never seen abortion until we showed it to them.

Shocking warning.  As soon as we set up the first day, Isaac approached us and said, “This university is getting more liberal and students won’t want to see these.  Abortion is being ‘normalized’ and they think it is a clean procedure that should be allowed.”  God was using this student to confirm we had gone to the right place.

Encouragement is always welcome.  A young woman told us, “I appreciate you guys devoting your time to this great cause.”  And another said, “These pictures are graphic, but I think they’re saying what they need to say.”  Indeed.

A God moment.  Three angry girls were badgering CBR staffer Joanna Keilson with questions, barely letting her answer and repeatedly claiming our images were harming children.  While they were still ranting, a family walked up: a father carrying a toddler, a pregnant mother, and a 6-year-old child.  The father took his children over to the sign, pointed, and said to the oldest, “See, that’s the doctor’s hand.  He’s holding a small baby that was aborted.”  He went on to explain what that meant and why it’s wrong.  

You don’t represent us.  A group of ministry school students came out against us, claiming that they represented the ministry school.  Several other ministry students came to support us and told the others, “You don’t represent us; we’re pro-life.” 

Shocking fear.  Two of the ministry students who supported us were saddened by the negative reactions of their fellow students.  One of their professors encouraged them, but was afraid to join us himself, for fear he might get fired.  Think about that.  A professor at a Christian university is afraid of being fired for standing against child sacrifice.  He told his students, “The abolitionists used these same methods. These students just don’t like it because it’s the one injustice they don’t want to deal with.”

Lee University students attempt to conceal child sacrifice.

In a March 2019 article published by The Cleveland Banner, Ann Lasley (a Lee University student) described her reaction to our Revival Project. She disagreed with our photos and our message. She identified herself as a Christian, but claimed that “Christians should
not impose their views on others who don’t share them.” Really? What Jesus is she talking about? Not the one I know.  What about the Jesus (and His apostles), who confronted evildoers and exposed evil? What about the Great Commission? Sadly, Ann was not the only Lee student who believed this. 

Shocking arrogance. A girl in a passing car yelled to CBR staffer Jane, “How dare you show these disgusting pictures! You need help.” Jane asked if she was a Christian. “Yes, and you need to leave!”

Christian, and gay? CBR volunteer Laurice spoke with a protester who was openly gay, holding a rainbow flag, and a sign proclaiming rights for gay preborn babies. Laurice discussed Scripture as well as genetics with him, since he claimed gay people are “born that way”. She affirmed that we at CBR fight for the right to life of ALL human beings, including those who experience same-sex attraction.

Human life: it depends. “Well, I don’t know, it depends on when you think a human life begins.” Is it up to us to decide this question? Or is it up to us to find the factual answer to this question, which has been answered thousands of times already?

Shocking spiritual blindness. One student admitted to CBR staffer Joanna, “I don’t really buy into the concept of sin. Sins are mistakes. You (CBR) create shame, which makes women have to cover up the last mistake with another mistake.” Comments like these make us wonder, “What in the world is this Christian university teaching its students?” Not only does this student seem to not understand the difference between guilt and shame —guilt is good, shame is not —but he doesn’t even accept God’s admonition to recognize sin and avoid it.

Mik’aela Raymond tells how abortion is a violent way to address a crisis pregnancy.

We returned to the University of Tennessee this past Spring to a mixture of callousness, indifference, curiosity, and blessing. God orchestrates dialogue around GAP, often in a miraculous fashion. Here are a few moments which stood out.

Be the hands and feet. Samuel approached the photos. He stopped in front of CBR staffer Jane Bullington, heartbroken, and asked, “What can I do?”  Showing photos not only changes hearts and minds, but it also prompts pro-lifers to do more. Many Americans
claim to be pro-life, but only in their heads; to end  the killing, we need their hands and feet to be pro-life as well.

Still needs healing. James, a 33-yr-old man, said, “I still regret what I did; my child would be 14. But everybody’s circumstances are different so I’m still pro-choice.” Jane urged him to share his story and seek healing. Please pray for James, that he realizes the full gravity of what he did, so that he can be forgiven and healed.

Does that really answer the question? CBR staff member Joanna asked a passerby “What do you think about abortion?” His response: “Long live Roe v. Wade.”

She wore her heart on her shirt. Jane saw a girl whose shirt said, “I would like to stop and talk to you, but I would be lying.” Jane laughed and told the girl her shirt was funny. The girl almost responded, but then realized that Jane was with GAP. She yelled “NO!” and flipped the bird. I guess she meant what her shirt said!

Making progress.  Sean expressed the unoriginal view that he is “personally against abortion, but wouldn’t stop someone else from having one.” How many times have we heard that?

CBR staffer Joanna Keilson asked him, “If I wanted to own a slave, would you be content with saying ‘that is your decision’ like you do with abortion?” He responded, “No, of course I wouldn’t!”

Joanna replied, “Slaves are human beings, despite the injustice done to them. The preborn are human beings, despite the injustice done to them. It’s not okay to own or kill someone else.”

He paused, then nodded, “I can see that.”   With GAP, the photos create interest and convey facts, and dialogue helps overcome obstacles to clear thinking.

Pro-abort protesters would help us draw big crowds at VCU.  (Click to enlarge.)

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) may be the most leftist college in Virginia, if not in the entire Southeast.  We were expecting (and hoping for) a ruckus for our third visit to campus, and they did not disappoint!  When the pro-aborts show up, they never fail to draw attention!

What if the Holocaust were still happening?  A woman stopped to tell CBR staff member Mik’aela Raymond that we were using scare tactics.  Mik’aela mentioned the Holocaust Museum as proof that images work to convince people of atrocities.  The woman said, “Maybe, but no one is forced to go in the Holocaust Museum.” Mika’aela responded, “That’s because they Holocaust isn’t happening anymore.  But if it was, I would be willing to use images to stop it.”

For some, it’s personal.  Jennifer told us that her father pressured her mother to abort her older sister.  She’s very emotional about it, but that’s why she’s pro-life!

Hostile campus.  Nick and James were so thankful that we were there. “We’re both conservative, and it’s so hard to hold on in this environment.”  Keep it up, gentlemen!

Genocide survivor agrees with GAP.  A young woman who had survived the 2004 genocide in Burundi spoke with CBR staffer Jane Bullington.  She wasn’t totally convinced that all abortions are wrong, but wondered, “This is America. For not much money, you can get birth control and never need abortion.”  However, she completely understood our comparisons of genocides and our use of victim images because, as she said, “the baby is real.”

The right to share the truth?  Nellie, a young Christian student, told CBR staffer Joanna Keilson that she didn’t know where she stood on abortion.  Joanna challenged her to research when life begins and to stand up for truth.  Nellie asked about earning the right to talk to someone.  Joanna reminded her of the prophets, disciples, and Jesus Himself who were killed because they preached against sin.  Did they need to earn permission to speak to someone before calling them to repentance?