GAP at East Tennessee State University.

In response to GAP at East Tennessee State University, Lindsey King, Opinion Editor at ET Online, examined our handout, How Can You Compare Abortion to Genocide?  Her piece, Examining the “abortion is genocide” pamphlet, flunked the exam.

She starts with an ad hominem attack on Rabbie Yehuda Levin, whom we quote in the passage.  He said

Each form of genocide, whether Holocaust, lynching, abortion, etc., differs from all the others in the motives and methods of its perpetrators.  But each form of genocide is identical to all the others in that it involves the systematic slaughter, as state sanctioned “choice,” of innocent, defenseless victims — while denying their “personhood.”

It seems that, according to Ms. King and the Southern Poverty Law Center (a left-wing hate group), Rabbi Levin is not qualified to talk about genocide because he is an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi who quotes passages from the Talmud (which offend modern ears).  Interesting claim.

We also quote Elizabeth Cady Stanton:

When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit.

Ms. King claims that there’s no evidence that Stanton ever said these words.  It would be more correct to say that the letter in which these remarks appeared cannot be found.  We found multiple independent sources which believe this to be an accurate quote, including here and here.  Further, there can be little credible doubt that Ms. Stanton and other feminists of her day were anti-abortion, which is really the point.

Ms. King also disputes the claim by embryology textbooks that each human life begins at fertilization, as chronicled here in great detail: When Does Human Life Begin?  She says that medical scientists should not be consulted on questions of medical science.  She says questions of science are for the philosopher to answer.  In other words, facts don’t matter.

Ms. King knows that she has no arguments to justify decapitating and dismembering little human beings, so she appeals to opinion editors who say we can’t really know if the growing human fetus with arms and legs and fingers and toes is really alive or not.

She links to a short video about personhood that perfectly illustrates our point.  The speaker doesn’t pick a side, but at the end of the video, he invites the viewer to

… try to figure out what you believe constitutes personhood.  As you consider the factors that you think are most important, be careful how you cast your net.  Make sure you include everyone you think should be included and exclude those you think should be excluded.

Bingo.  In other words, be sure to include yourself, but exclude the intended victim group.  Where have we seen that before?  Over and over again, perpetrators of genocide have redefined personhood in terms that excluded the intended victim class.  Over and over again, these victims were either in the way or had something that the perpetrators wanted.

Ms. King goes on to argue that because many (she claims as many as 50 percent) embryos die of natural causes very early in pregnancy, personhood should not be conferred at fertilization.  But the premise does not support the conclusion.  Most people die of natural causes at some point; that doesn’t justify killing them.

Finally, she avoids the question of when she believes personhood begins.  She doesn’t like our view that all human beings deserve equal protection, but she should tell us where she would draw the line between human beings who may be killed and human beings who must be protected.  And she should tell us what criteria she would use to draw that line.  In so doing, she should remember that every time we draw such lines, we get ourselves in moral trouble.

We strongly agree with Ms. King on one point:

Examine the information and arguments that are presented, think critically, [and] do your own research.

Amen.  Start here: www.AbortionNo.org.  And here: www.Abort73.com.

At ETSU, CBR volunteer Laurice Baddour (at center, wearing a white sweater) takes questions from respectful students (raising their hands), while their teacher (far right) berates CBR volunteers who challenged his absurd accusations.

Every now and then, GAP presents opportunities for volunteers to commandeer indoctrination pods also known as college classes.  This happens despite the diabolical grip the pod leader has on their pod people.

Respecting women?  A male women’s studies teacher brought his class out to rant against GAP.  After class, CBR volunteer Bill Boyer approached this teacher and asked when he thinks life begins.  The man ignored the question and went straight to the ad hominem, “You don’t have the right to tell a woman what she can do with her body because you could never have a baby.”  Bill responded, “I was never a slave owner, so may I not speak against slavery?”  The man exploded in a fit of rage.

Just then a local pastor’s wife joined the discussion.  This “teacher” launched a cursing verbal assault toward her as well.  So much for respecting women.

We’ll take it from here.  With this teacher now distracted by his own tirade, CBR volunteer Laurice Baddour addressed his class, most of whom were still standing on the library steps.  In her own words:

Holy Fire and Holy Love overcame me, righteous indignation, love, and compassion flooded me, and I took over his class.  To my own surprise (!), my mouth opened, and I called out to the female students, loudly enough to overshadow his voice, “Ladies, I love you!  You are being lied to by this professor, and you’ve been lied to by our culture.”  I immediately corrected each lie, one by one, with truth.  I listed the risks of

abortion to their bodies, souls, and relationships.  I shared testimonies of some post-abortive campus peers with whom I had connected. …

The female students became angry, loud, and mob-like — I love mobs — but I called out for order and assured them that each one of their comments and questions would be addressed, one student at a time. Immediately the raging lionesses became sweet li’l lambs, and several began to raise their hands, waiting their turn. The others listened. As God once closed the mouths of the lions in the den where Daniel was thrown, so He closed the mouths of the students, and the accuser of the brethren, who was speaking through the mouth of their professor. After our time of questions, answers, and comments, the class disbanded.  Several of the students came down the steps and shared their personal stories and concerns with me. It was a victory for truth.

And the professor? Well, you’ll have to ask someone else, because I never heard his voice or saw him again.

Even sleepy schools like ETSU are a hotbed of oppressive leftist ideology. GAP confronts this private liberal club in a powerful way … as unique as it is effective.

The hostility of the Academy toward the Citizenry is omnipresent, as we saw at East Tennessee State (ETSU), where tax-funded employees routinely condemn Christian and conservative students for their beliefs and values.

With indisputable facts and unassailable arguments, GAP is a fantastic way to help students wage ideological warfare.  We demonstrate how Christians and conservatives can engage professors and their heavily propagandized classmates with courage and grace.

Dumb blonde.  Diana, a pre-med student, told us that the pressure to conform to leftist ideology is oppressive.  Her “ethics” professor makes fun of her intelligence and her blonde hair.  Note: Only leftist professors may disparage women as dumb blondes.

Pro-choice?  This professor says a doctor shouldn’t be allowed to let his beliefs interfere with his “services.”  In other words, Diana should be forced to perform abortions or lose her license.  How is that “pro-choice”?

An unexpected friend.  GAP works on many levels.  We of course expose abortion as a horrifying act of violence.  But at the same time, we advance the cause of free speech.  Moreover, we demonstrate how people on both sides of a contentious debate can respectfully advance their arguments.  After speaking with CBR’s Jane Bullington, Noah wrote on his Facebook page:

The conversation was based on mutual respect …  We were able to actually “hear” what the other one had to say.  My concerns were focused mostly on pro-life people not favoring programs that would make life easier for the born people and their apparent vilification of women who have made this tough decision.  Jane talked about the devaluation of human life leading to increased violence and selfishness in our country.  She also said we may want the same “ends” for born people, but have different strategies for arriving at that goal.  Did we come to the same conclusion?  Do I approve of CBR or their tactics?  No on both counts.  But I made a friend and have a greater appreciation for civil discourse.  I am guilty of abrasively engaging in debate and speaking without listening.  Today was different and refreshing.  So, come talk to these folks rather than yell at them.  And I even went back to get a picture with my new pro-life friend.

Thank you for your support!  Only through your prayers and financial investment can we take this message where it most needs to go.

CBR’s Joanna discusses prenatal development and abortion.

CBR made another visit to East Tennessee State University (ETSU).  A lot more lively this time.

We give it a moonbat rating of 5 out of 10 moonbats, compared with 1.5 out of 10 moonbats on our last visit.  Schools with a moderate amount of moonbats keep things interesting.

The trip included a pro-abortion protest group with the usual fare of regurgitated slogans with little-to-no substance on poorly made signs.

Press coverage of our trip includes two articles by the East Tennessean Online. The first article surprisingly included pictures of the whole display with abortion pictures included.  Articles:

• Anti-abortion protest sparks student counter-protest
• Examining the “Abortion Is Genocide” pamphlet

Jane Bullington loading up a young woman with materials for her heart-touching homework.

In it for the money?
“You don’t believe this crap; you just want to provoke someone to hit you so you can sue,” a young man shouted.

Professorial dictatorship
“Professors cut down our grades for questioning or contradicting them.  It is good to see this out here,” a young man told Jane Bullington.

Consistent to the point of silliness
“I truly believe it is not a baby until it is born,” the young woman said.  Jane replied, “What do you see when you look at a friend’s ultrasound and the something is yawning and stretching?”
“It is not a baby.”
Maybe it’s a cat.

Awesome homework fodder
“I have a pro-life presentation in philosophy next week and I need a good argument.”  Jane sent the young woman packing with loads of reading materials.  Her presentation will make a difference.

Not easy, but it’s right
“I am 26 years old and have a child of my own.  We have taken in 4 siblings from foster care too.  It is not easy but it is right,” she told Jane.

On the clock
Kathy, a sociology TA who claimed to be a professor, cussed at volunteer Debbie Picarello, saying we are shaming women.  She admitted to being post-abortive and did not believe that GAP was helping women.  The conversation was laced with “F you” from the woman who was most likely being paid to be there.  A male student was horrified by her behavior.

Making a stand on both fronts
Hally, a Christian student, said she was convicted about being out at the display.  Her first thoughts had been about self-preservation but realized God wanted her there.  She took a class taught by the Sociology TA who showed a pro-homosexuality film in class.  Hally was publicly ridiculed by the teacher and the students for sharing a perspective outside what the professor had presented.

Struggling with the past
Volunteer Christy McKinney spoke to a student and mom of three.  She was 31 weeks pregnant with her 3rd.  Her 2nd child was 7.  Her 1st was aborted.  She had never seen the pictures and stopped to look at them.  She was struck at how developed the child was in the 8-week abortion and looked at it for awhile.  Her parents wanted the abortion.  Looking back, she believes it was the “right choice for her.”  While she said those words, Christy could tell that she was struggling to make herself believe it.

Jane Bullington explains that abortion decapitates and dismembers its preborn victims.

by Jacqueline Hawkins

It had been 4 years since we visited East Tennessee State University (ETSU).  In 2012, it was a successful Choice Chain.  This time, it was our full Genocide Awareness Project (GAP).  We couldn’t think of a better way to spend Holy Week than work to save the “least of these brothers and sisters” of our Lord (Matthew 25:40).

One young pro-life woman was emboldened by our presence and went head to head with a pro-abort teacher’s assistant (TA).  The TA had brought her class to watch her confront and defeat (she hoped) CBR’s Fletcher Armstrong in a battle of wits.  Unfortunately for this poor TA, she came to the battle unarmed.

The pro-life student was a senior with a husband and daughter.  She knew a lot more about life than the typical college student.  It was awesome to see her in action, using her life-experience to confront the selfish naive notions of those who really didn’t understand the glories of motherhood.

At the end of the second day two students held protest signs in their lap as they lounged on the steps of the library.  They offered no compelling argument to justify decapitating and dismembering little human beings.  If somebody could only offer such an argument, it would save us all a lot of trouble.

It was a successful two days.  Things didn’t get too rowdy, so it was a perfect school to warm up for the more intense encounters to come.

Jacqueline Hawkins is a CBR Project Director and a regular FAB contributor.

Abortion photos help students see what "choice" really means.

CBR organized a Choice Chain at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) last week.  Jane Bullington and Renee Weber from Knoxville met up with Mick and Edie Hunt from Asheville at the Borchauck Plaza on the ETSU campus for a day of pro-life outreach.  Hand-held “Choice” signs show passersby what “choice” really means (a dead baby) and draw a crowd.  We handed out hundreds of our “Unmasking Choice” brochures and spoke with students all day long.

It was a beautiful day; students continually crossed the Plaza.  Some saw and quickly turned their heads.  They were trying to ignore the reality of abortion, but it didn’t work … a glance is enough.  Others wanted to talk.  No matter how big or small the exhibit, the debate is always the same.

Chelsey was so upset, she whimpered that she is pro-life, has not had an abortion, but wanted us to know that we were “doing this the wrong way, in case no one has ever told you.”  (If Chelsey only knew!)  Chelsey is studying to be a counselor and she is sure abortion photos will traumatize women … that women will not be able to recover from seeing them.  She didn’t seem to realize that women won’t recover from the abortion unless something compels them to repentance.  Chelsey may not have had an abortion herself, but it was apparent that someone in her life has been personally affected by abortion.

Three young women were passionate about educating their fellow students and gave us their contact information, so we may help them continue the battle on campus … including more Choice Chains and the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP).

A class was coming across the lawn when the teacher spotted the signs.  They were high achievers, very polite, and very interested in what we were doing.

Jane speaks to high school honor students; the photo tells a story her words never could.