Dear Pro-Life Partners, August 15, 2022

As I become increasingly invested in the cause for life, I also find myself more emotionally burdened and perhaps a little
consumed with the task of telling the truth about abortion. Perhaps some of you can relate.

For instance, the horrible story of the ten-year-old rape victim made quite a stir and she became the poster child to
demonstrate the “heartlessness” of pro-lifers. She had to “flee” from her home in Ohio, where abortion is only allowed
until a detectable heartbeat (or in the case of a reported rape), to Indiana, where abortion is legal in the first trimester.
Meanwhile in South Dakota, a state which prohibits abortion at conception, I watched an interview of governor Kristi
Noem, in which the subject of this rape was raised and she was asked what she thought this would mean for abortion
“rights” in a state such as hers. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in her answer. She focused more on punishing the
perpetrator (which is important), but did not really get to the heart of the issue, in my opinion. Since “What about rape
and incest?” is one of the most popular arguments in favor of abortion, here are some possible responses:
 Rape is one of the most traumatic events a woman can endure. Abortion is also traumatic. Treating one trauma
with another does not eliminate the initial trauma, it only compounds it.
 Every state that prohibits abortion has an exception for the life of the mother. Very possibly, this pregnancy
would have become life-threatening for this little girl, and measures could have been taken to insure her safety.
 Rape accounts for less than .5% of pregnancies, so it would be illogical and irresponsible to legalize 95.5% of
abortions for the sake of the .5%.
 Regardless of the circumstances of conception, life in the womb is a unique human life with the Constitutional
rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Mom’s Body Someone Else’s Body

A few states away in Colorado, which currently has no bans on abortion, I was window shopping in Old Colorado City. I
was not surprised by the smattering of angry, hand-written signs in many shop windows (Abortion is Healthcare; Bans off
My Body, and such). One sign in particular, however, caught my eye. It read “You are pro-life until the child is disabled,
LGBTQ, or neuro-divergent.” I just stood and looked at it for a bit, probably with my mouth hanging open unattractively. It
made absolutely no sense! I considered entering the store (I had my guard dog Casey with me) to introduce myself to the
sign maker because I was sure that he/she didn’t know any pro-lifers. I wanted to calmly (yes, calmly) let him/her know
that we fight for all children, regardless of, well…regardless. We specifically advocate for children with disabilities such as
Down Syndrome. And as for gay or autistic children, is the sign suggesting we stop being pro-life at the point of discovery?
I just couldn’t figure out the rationale, and the misinformation, misconception, and outright falsehood of this statement
almost took my breath away. Later that evening, I wept for all those that are being duped by today’s liberal and self-
serving narrative. The angry vitriol displayed by many protestors appears absolutely unhinged and makes me think of the
rabid fury with which the Nazis were driven to murder millions of Jews. In today’s cultural climate, dare we suggest that
they did not have justification to eliminate those they believed were less than human and inconvenient to them? Of
course we can because it was evil. And it sure rings a bell.
Another argument that stubbornly holds on despite evidence to the contrary is that the unborn child is not a human life
at conception. One person even called my husband a "dunce" online because he had the nerve to cite science in defense
of the unborn. The immediate response to that tired "clump of cells" claim would be that the largest recent survey of
over 5,000 biologists from 1,000 worldwide institutions revealed that a full 96% agreed with the statement "Human life
begins at conception" (Speaking for the Unborn). If that weren’t enough, I would ask this question: If you went to nine
doctors and they all diagnosed you with cancer, would you believe the tenth who said you were healthy? An honest
person would say "no" and concede that they probably wouldn't even get to the tenth doctor because they would believe
the second or third. The only person who would go to all ten is the person who so tenaciously believes in his own health
that he will continue to visit doctors until he finds one who agrees with him. This person is courting death rather than
fighting for life. Digging our heels into ignorance will only hurt us.

“Non-Living Clump of Cells!” “Life on Mars!”

So what now? I say, go deep. Educate yourself so you can educate others. Always be ready to give an answer, but listen
before you speak so you can build rapport and respond effectively. Ask questions; hearing their own answers may reveal
inconsistencies and make them think. Pray for kindness, patience, and wisdom. There are as many approaches as there
are people to approach, whether it be scientific, biblical, or logical, so practice compassion and consistency. If we do not
respect the life we are talking to, our words will ring hollow. Our goal should not be to win an argument, but to soften a
heart and influence a mind.

And what next? Missouri Right to Life – Western Region will continue its commitment to promote pro-life education and
support Missouri Right to Life at the state level to ensure that abortion remains illegal. We will brainstorm creative ways
to raise awareness and broaden our base through financial assistance, voluntary efforts, educational expansion,
community exposure, persistent prayer, and supporter communication. Let’s welcome this post-Roe world with a
renewed partnership, plan, passion, and priorities!

Partnering with You for Life!

Linda Verhulst, MRL-WR *Feel free to copy and distribute.