How to tell your classmates you’re pro-life

Okay, so you’re a student. You have many classes penciled into your day to day schedule: Math, Reading, Science, Spanish, … the whole nine yards. Perhaps you have several different teachers too. Odds are you have twenty times as many classmates. However, one thing is for sure – you’re busy!

Now, amidst your full active schedule, whether it was planned or by surprise, the subject comes up: abortion. Maybe it’s a suggested topic for your next speech? Perhaps the debate team wants to draw you into their next discussion. Or maybe, it just so happens to be the topic of conversation with your classmates in the lunch room.

In any case, you don’t support abortion and now you need to explain why. Here are a few pointers and tips to help you talk about why you are pro-life:

 

#1: Science

It is an undisputed fact among the scientific and medical communities that life begins at conception. Just open your science textbook and see what it says! Don’t have it on hand? No worries – here’s a link to over forty quotes from medical experts and scientific publications about the beginning of life.

At the moment of conception, an unborn child’s hair-color, eye-color, and gender have all be determined. The child’s DNA is completely unique from its mother’s, and it will never again be repeated in the history of the world.

Then, just 21 days later, before most women know their pregnant, the baby’s heart is beating.

At 16 weeks, the unborn child can hiccup in the womb.

At 20 weeks, the child can begin to feel the pain of being dismembered in an abortion.

And finally, at 22-24 weeks, an unborn baby can begin to survive on its own outside the mother’s womb.

Science proves it. There is a living human being inside a mother’s womb, and abortion therefore takes a human life.

 

#2: Abortion hurts women

Studies done all across the world have shown that women who have had abortions display a significantly increased risk for mental health problems. These studies (here’s the link) show that these women are at greater risk in anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal behavior, and even breast cancer.

At the same time, there are several healing ministries that exist across the country for post-abortive women, such as Project Rachel, Silent No More, and Restore After Abortion. Why do these exist? Because an overwhelming number of women and men who have had or been involved in an abortion suffer severe or moderate post-abortion trauma. Many experience great pain, grief, and suffering, and need counseling to help heal their minds and hearts.  You can hear for yourself what women are saying regarding their abortions here and here.

Lastly, in addition to the mental and emotional trauma that abortion can cause, this procedure has the potential to leave physical scars and wounds as well. Abortion is an invasive procedure, involving surgical tools being inserted inside a woman’s body and used to tear apart and terminate a child.  Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, admits that in this procedure, “serious complications may be fatal.” They also makes note of other complications, such as allergic reactions, infections, injuries, and heavy bleeding.

Abortion doesn’t empower women, but rather, poses a threat to their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

 

#3: Tone and Approach

When discussing the topic of abortion and why you are pro-life, it’s very important to always be mindful of how you talk about the subject, as well your audience.  Your tone and approach can make a huge difference and impact how your listeners react.

In your defense of human life, don’t be afraid to be confident. At the same time, it’s good practice to always keep in mind that someone in your audience – your friend, a classmate, a teacher – may have had an abortion, might have been involved in an abortion, or could have been touched by it in some way.

Anger and impatience can turn someone off from a conversation very quickly, especially those who may not understand, who might be hurting, or who could have a sensitive past. Taking an informative approach, with a loving and compassionate tone, will make your listeners feel more welcome to the conversation and open to discussion.

 

#4: “They Say, You Say”

“Why are you pro-life?”  might be one of many questions you’ll be asked during your conversation in the lunch room. Need a little help? Check out our new “They Say, You Say” video series. We tackle the common questions and arguments pro-lifers are often asked, like “Is it a baby, or is it just tissue?”. Here’s our take on the question, “Why are you pro-life?”. Go to the link here for more!

 

 

#5: “The First Nine Months”

Want more cool science facts about life and something to show to your friends? Check out our First 9 Months Brochure (it’s pretty cool). You can pass it around to your classmates and teachers, or use it as a visual aid for your next presentation. Call us at 312-422-9300 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you as many as you need!

So the next time the topic of abortion comes up during Speech 101, just remember: being pro-life is easy, and talking about it can be too. Why? Because science, truth, and the facts got your back.