Subscribe Feed (RSS)The Signs (Posters) of the Truth of Abortion
December 18th, 2007 by Vlad | Filed under After Abortion, Pro Life, abortion.Yesterday I have participated in a very lively discussion at Jill Stanek’s blog. As the discussion progressed, there was an opportunity to touch on something I have planned to write on my blog in the past. It was in respect to posters so often carried by pro-life protesters. The ones that depict mutilated babies. I really wanted to elaborate more on the subject, however I think my own blog will be more appropriate place to do so.
Right from the start I have to disclose that I am absolutely against such signs being displayed in front of an abortion clinic. These signs can potentially do more harm than good. I think the best way to offer you my point of view would be to address two major arguments why some in pro life movement think these signs should be brought to abortion clinics.
- Seeing these posters a woman may change her mind. Sure, some women may change their mind seeing such poster. The argument can also be made that these posters can reinforce her decision to abort.
- The posters tell the truth. No argument here. But the truth about what? To me these posters depict nothing but evil. Women walking into the clinic need God.
Some can argue that these posters portray Christ’s suffering. However there are 2000+ years of tradition of Christian art and we should not dismiss that tradition. If we were to examine Christian art and iconography and how it depicts the suffering of Christ, we can notice one particular trace. All these icons and images, while depicting Christ suffering foreshadow also his glory and resurrection- thus offering hope of forgiveness to us. The posters of mutilated babies depict only death and evil, there is no hope in those images nor do they speak of forgiveness. Not every one is ready to face the truth. Here I am thinking more about women and men who have had previous abortions. They still may be in denial and may not be ready to face the truth. I personally believe that denial can be looked at as God’s gift, and we have no right to rob them of that gift. If God leads these women and men on the path to healing, the denial will eventually come down. But it would be so on God’s terms and not ours.
Even if you look at these posters and pictures of mutilated babies as an educational material, we should be very careful about the setting and timing when showing them. We can not predict with absolute certainty what reaction these pictures can trigger. Some may realize the atrocity of abortion and submit themselves to God’s mercy and forgiveness. While others may look at these pictures as an affirmation that there is no hope for them. Making my argument on Jill’s blog, I received following comment : “I haven’t heard of one person committing suicide over a gruesome picture”. I hope this to be true as well, but if only dead can speak I think all of us can be in for a big surprise.
Samantha,
I know we are not in minority in the pro-life community. I am no stranger to pro-life movement, and I always thought that a “Taliban-like” approach to pro-life movement will do more harm than good.
Thank you for stopping by.
Jasper,
I am sorry you are getting insulted by me comparing certain segment in the pro-life movement to Taliban. It was in no way directed at you.
I stand by what I said. There is a time and place to look at these posters. Abortion clinic is not the right place. Crisis pregnancy not the right timing.
As you already know, I agree with you regarding these signs. I just thought I’d expound on the subject a little more over here.
While I understand the motivations of those who hold them at rallies, I honestly think mutilated baby signs could potentially do more harm than good. I doubt that very many women have changed their mind about an abortion because of them, it’s too easy to avert one’s eyes and ignore them. I think pictures of cute, healthy babies are more effective, anyway. My main concern is that many who are “quietly pro-life” or maybe sitting on the fence regarding abortion are possibly turned off by the vulgarity of them and be less likely to speak out about their views to others, or contribute to pro-life causes.
Vlad, I hope were’re only in the minority on Jill’s blog, and not in the Pro-Life community as a whole!
- Sam
Samantha,
I know we are not in minority in the pro-life community. I am no stranger to pro-life movement, and I always thought that a “Taliban-like” approach to pro-life movement will do more harm than good.
Thank you for stopping by.
“Seeing these posters a woman may change her mind. Sure, some women may change their mind seeing such poster. The argument can also be made that these posters can reinforce her decision to abort.”
-If, after looking at these posters, it reinforces a womens decision to abort, then she is not human. I don’t understand your point.
“The posters tell the truth. No argument here. But the truth about what?”
The truth that abortion is a heinous, barbaric crime. Many people don’t understand this, especially the many young people having abortions. It’s important to people to see the barbarity of it. Just like Father Pavone at “priests for life” has sad.
http://www.priestsforlife.org/
“All these icons and images, while depicting Christ suffering foreshadow also his glory and resurrection- thus offering hope of forgiveness to us. The posters of mutilated babies depicts only death and evil”.
You’re right they do, stop blaming us. Hiding evil is not Christ-like as well. Planned Parenthood always attempts to hide the evil, but we’re not.
“Not every one is ready to face the truth.”
So, in this case should we hide the truth? Should we not tell a drug addict that drugs are bad because they’re not ready to face the truth????
“They still may be in denial and may not be ready to face the truth. I personally believe that denial can be looked at as God’s gift, and we have no right to rob them of that gift. If God leads these women and men on the path to healing, the denial will eventually come down. But it would be so on God’s terms and not ours.”
Jesus called evil by it’s name and he was not an timid, wimpy guy. He warned people of sin and hell consistantly. You seem to have an excuse for everthing.
Sam: “My main concern is that many who are “quietly pro-life” or maybe sitting on the fence regarding abortion are possibly turned off by the vulgarity of them and be less likely to speak out about their views to others, or contribute to pro-life causes.”
Well, if thats the case, they can’t handle the truth either. tough. get a spine.
“I always thought that a “Taliban-like” approach to pro-life movement will do more harm than good.”
Taliban like? what an insult.
Jasper,
I am sorry you are getting insulted by me comparing certain segment in the pro-life movement to Taliban. It was in no way directed at you.
I stand by what I said. There is a time and place to look at these posters. Abortion clinic is not the right place. Crisis pregnancy not the right timing.
Matt, you lost me with your lifelines….
As a matter of fact I can not make any sense of what you have written….. except that you neither agree nor disagree. Can you elaborate more?
Not to agree or disagree but a poster of a slaughtered animal infront of a foodstand would cause people to be upset and disgusted as well…almost anything can look awful. People should realize what happens to these babies though..it’s not magic that they die…they are chopped up and sucked out. It’s someones lifeline though and if they want to kill it off why should someone else’s lifeline care? my 2cents.
Matt, you lost me with your lifelines….
As a matter of fact I can not make any sense of what you have written….. except that you neither agree nor disagree. Can you elaborate more?
Jasper,
I took a little time to “digest” your criticism in your comment above.
I am presuming you are catholic, therefore I will quote for you Pope John Paul II:
“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.” – 99, Evangelium Vitea
The above is the message of hope. If we claim to be pro-life, we simply have no other choice but to tell others that there is hope and forgiveness.
Jasper,
I took a little time to “digest” your criticism in your comment above.
I am presuming you are catholic, therefore I will quote for you Pope John Paul II:
“I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To the same Father and his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.” – 99, Evangelium Vitea
The above is the message of hope. If we claim to be pro-life, we simply have no other choice but to tell others that there is hope and forgiveness.
“The above is the message of hope. If we claim to be pro-life, we simply have no other choice but to tell others that there is hope and forgiveness.”
Vlad, yes I'm Catholic. I agree with Pope John Paul II's message of hope and forgiveness, I would never withhold that, which brings me to the mutilated pictures,.. I was thinking how I first got involved with pro-life causes, I think I was always pro-life but never paid much attention until I saw these pictures of the killed unborn children. It was when I saw what exactly abortion was that got me involved. The pictures are not meant to humilate the woman, but to offer warning about abortion. I don't think many younger women stop to consider this. That's why I (through my local church) donate money, supplies, etc to the local CPC.
Re: the arguing: there are many disagreements and minor battles at JillStanek.com (abortion can be an emotional issue). There are better moderators who can articulate there position than I (LOL).. I did listen to what you had to say about taking a breath before responding. I am certainly imperfect and have to do a better job about lashing out so quickly.
Jasper,
Yes some times arguments produce nothing, even though we think like we have proved a point.
I will just stick to my blog from now on…
If you think there is something important going on on Jill's blog and needs extra publicity feel free to let me know. I still think we can help each other even though we may disagree on particularities of how to go about what we do.
I have promised my readers few posts about the conference in San Francisco- I should probably do just that for now.
“The above is the message of hope. If we claim to be pro-life, we simply have no other choice but to tell others that there is hope and forgiveness.”
Vlad, yes I’m Catholic. I agree with Pope John Paul II’s message of hope and forgiveness, I would never withhold that, which brings me to the mutilated pictures,.. I was thinking how I first got involved with pro-life causes, I think I was always pro-life but never paid much attention until I saw these pictures of the killed unborn children. It was when I saw what exactly abortion was that got me involved. The pictures are not meant to humilate the woman, but to offer warning about abortion. I don’t think many younger women stop to consider this. That’s why I (through my local church) donate money, supplies, etc to the local CPC.
Re: the arguing: there are many disagreements and minor battles at JillStanek.com (abortion can be an emotional issue). There are better moderators who can articulate there position than I (LOL).. I did listen to what you had to say about taking a breath before responding. I am certainly imperfect and have to do a better job about lashing out so quickly.
Jasper,
Yes some times arguments produce nothing, even though we think like we have proved a point.
I will just stick to my blog from now on…
If you think there is something important going on on Jill’s blog and needs extra publicity feel free to let me know. I still think we can help each other even though we may disagree on particularities of how to go about what we do.
I have promised my readers few posts about the conference in San Francisco- I should probably do just that for now.