Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 18, Number 3
February 2008
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Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Worldview forum series at a nearby college. The topic of the evening was “Abortion: Legal Right or Moral Wrong?” The debaters were Nadine Strossen, J.D. who is the national president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and a professor of law at a school in New York; and Scott Klusendorf, president of the Life Training Institute. Not only did the topic catch my eye when I first saw the debate advertised, but my attention was drawn to the name, Scott Klusendorf. A close friend who had heard him speak shared many positive comments about his presentation. As a result, in spite of an extremely busy schedule, I made time to attend this 2-hour forum.
Mr. Klusendorf shared an interesting perspective in his opening remarks and throughout the evening of questions. He stated that there is just one question that must be answered by all: “What is meant by ‘the unborn?’” Once this question was clearly answered, he said, then the question regarding abortion, as stated in the topic of the evening, would be clearly answered.
So, what are “the unborn?” Are they human beings? Well, scientifically confirmed through embryology, we know that from conception that the unborn are living human beings. In addition, philosophically, there are no significant differences between an embryo and an adult.
What interested me as I listed to Mr. Kousendorf speak was the SLED test illustration. The SLED test uses four differences between embryos and adults, but these differences do not take away from an embryo’s human nature:
It is true that embryos are smaller than newborns and adults, but as we look all around us, we see living human beings in all shapes and sizes.
It is true that embryos are less developed than newborns and adults, but when I look at my students, I see various degrees of development, too.
It is true that embryos are in a different environment than newborns and adults, but where you live has no bearing on who you are. Human beings living in Africa are in a different environment than human beings living in Alaska, yet all are valued. Changing environment does not make a human being more or less valued.
It is true that embryos are very dependent upon their mothers for nourishment and other essentials of life, but there are many newborns, children, and adults – including our elderly – who are very dependent upon medications every day. Degree of dependency does not determine viability or value.
As we work with our students every day, we also see that human beings differ greatly with respect to intelligence, ability, accomplishments, and character. Yet, every one of our students is valuable to us and to society. Why? Because as Thomas Jefferson stated in our Declaration of Independence, we are all created equal. Even more importantly, we have all been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We all have the same human nature – whether born or unborn. This is the fundamental Truth that answers the moral question of abortion.
For Additional Information:
Life Training Institute
PO Box 50918
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
719-264-7861
www.prolifetraining.com
Today [January 21, 2008] we celebrate a man who contributed greatly to both this nation and to the world. Dr. Martin Luther King’s non-violent movement against segregation and injustice in the United States has inspired many to follow in his footsteps to fulfill the deeply rooted “dream” he spoke of, “that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’” There is irony in that Dr. King’s observed birthday today comes the day before the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which forcibly legalized abortion in the United States. The legalization of abortion was the culmination of a dream of Planned Parenthood founder and icon Margaret Sanger. In 1939 Ms. Sanger started the “Negro Project.” The aim of the program was to restrict, many believe exterminate, the African-American population, under the pretense of “better health” and “family planning.” By all accounts her efforts have been highly successful. Statistics from the Guttmacher Institute….show that African-American women account for 32 percent of those getting abortions nationwide, while they make up just 13 percent of the population. Additionally, 94 percent of all abortuaries are located in metropolitan areas, which generally have high African-American populations. Revered King’s niece, Alveda King, recognizes this genocide and speaks out valiantly against it….It is up to us as a society to decide if the dreams of freedom and equality, or the nightmares of Margaret Sanger, will prevail.
Washington DC (LifeNews.com) – President Bush declared Sunday [January 20, 2008] to be a national pro-life day for Americans to recognize the sanctity of human life….“On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we recognize that each life has inherent dignity and matchless value, and we reaffirm our steadfast determination to defend the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society,” the president said in a proclamation LifeNews.com obtained. The president said American was founded on the belief that people should be treated equally and that they have a right to life that government should not abridge. Bush said the nation remains committed to that principle….“Since taking office, I have signed legislation to help protect life at all stages, and my Administration will continue to encourage adoption, fund abstinence education and crisis pregnancy programs, and support faith-based groups,” he said.
Source: LifeNews.com, January 21, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) – Hundreds of thousands of pro-life people turned out for the annual March for Life in Washington, braving cold temperatures to take a stand for the right to life of unborn children. While marchers mourned 35 years of legalized abortion, many sounded a hopeful theme for a pro-life future and think the decision will eventually be reversed. As with other recent marches, the number of young adults and high school and college students impressed organizers and provided another reason to be optimistic. “People will get on a bus and travel 24, 48, 72 hours, some even further,” Concerned Women for America president Wendy Wright told the Washington Times. “That’s such an immense dedication, which is striking when you consider it is not on behalf of privileges or rights for themselves.”….David Talcott, an Indiana University graduate student, said what happens in the future depends on whether the pro-life movement will continue to stay motivated. “It’s just a matter of whether or not you see human life as important enough to defend,” Talcott said, He urged pro-life advocates to do more than rally for life this month, but to remain active throughout the year.
Source: LifeNews.com, January 22, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) – Women victimized by abortion say 35 years is enough and they don’t want their female friends and family to be subjected to the same agony they faced after an abortion. As the nation mourns the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision allowing abortions, women who had them say they were wrong and so was the high court. “It is a sad day as America reflects on the tragic loss of 50 million lives lost to abortion,” said Caron Strong, who heads the Women’s Council on Abortion for the Trinity Legal Center. Strong, a long-time advocate for post-abortive women who had four abortions in her younger years, told LifeNews.com, “There is much untold grief and heartache in the lives of the mothers, fathers, and siblings who have lost these children to abortion.” “We will never know the wonderful impact these precious lives may have had. May God forgive us,” she said. Joyce Zounis, who had seven abortions beginning at age 15, says, “I was wrong, and so was the Supreme Court.” “I grieve for my children lost to abortion, and I grieve for the lost heritage of their children,” she told LifeNews.com.
Source: LifeNews.com, January 23, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) – A new report by an organization affiliated with Planned Parenthood finds that the number of abortions nationwide have fallen to their lowest point in 30 years and have declined 25 percent since 1990. Pro-life groups point to laws limiting abortions, the effectiveness of pregnancy centers and abstinence education as the reason why. The Alan Guttmacher Institute report finds just over 1.2 million abortions in the United States in 2005, down nearly 25% from their high of 1.6 million in 1990….Additionally, the report shows the abortion rate (the number of abortions per 1,000 women age 15-44) down to 19.4 per thousand – the lowest since 1974….Dr. Randall O’Bannon, the director of research and education for National Right to Life, told LifeNews.com the new figures are welcome news. “Today’s numbers confirm what we have known for years – if women seeking abortion are fully informed about the risks surrounding abortion, the development of their unborn child, and public and private assistance available in their area, they are more likely to reject the idea of abortion,” he said.
Source: LifeNews.com, January 18, 2008
Once again we have the opportunity to reach thousands of educators with the pro-life message. The NEA Expo 2008 will be held July 1-3 in Washington DC prior to the NEA RA. The purpose of the exhibit will be to promote and provide educational classroom materials especially for science and health teachers.
We are still in need of approximately $450 before we can officially process the application for the exhibit space. The application is due March 15, 2008. In addition, there will miscellaneous fees which will be due in late May.
Finally, each year we purchase pro-life brochures, books, and videos to distribute free to individuals who visit our exhibit. Each year we exhaust our supply of these materials and need to replenish these supplies before the next Expo. Only as funds are available, are materials purchased for distribution.
Each year we rely on the goodness of God and His people to raise the money for this effective pro-life education ministry. We have never been disappointed with His provision. Please help us process the application in a timely fashion as well as purchase materials wisely.Please prayerfully consider being a part of this special endeavor by sending in your contribution today.
Note: Please make checks payable to “TSC Inc. – National”. Please carefully note how the amount given is to be designated (“NEA Exhibit”) so that the contribution will be appropriately allocated.
When one hears the words “pregnancy termination”, what is the first thought to enter your mind? “Abortion!” Let’s take a moment to consider a different perspective.
According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “abort” has several meanings, including “to terminate prematurely” and “to bring forth premature or stillborn offspring.” Many people do not realize that the medical term for a miscarriage is a “spontaneous abortion.”
Every year, one million teens become pregnant. One-third (1/3) of these pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Yet, because our concentration is on the moral debate centering on abortion, we often forget about these teens and, also, about adult women who face the possible physiological and psychological problems associated with a miscarriage. Several who have visited our Teachers Saving Children® Inc. exhibits in the past, have shared with us their story of a miscarriage or of a stillborn baby. As we dialogue with individuals who are “pro-abortion,” both sides need to consider those teens and adult women who have experienced a miscarriage. In doing so, we may find common ground in the need to provide support for those thousands of teens and women who need our compassion.
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Sissy Jochmann, Chair of the NEA Conservative Educators Caucus, contacted NEA President Reg Weaver requesting the opportunity for pro-life educators to visit NEA Headquarters while in Washington DC for the annual March for Life events. Several educators visited the NEA building and had the opportunity to share their concerns with NEA President Reg Weaver about the NEA pro-abortion position.
This morass of constitutional debris known as the Roe decision is an almost endless source of critical questions that we should be asking candidates for office, whether their office seems to “have anything to do with abortion or not.” History has proven how officials seemingly at a far distance from Culture War issues may instead find themselves in the thick of the fight. Here are some of the most significant questions:
* Can our Constitution survive if it is forced to govern a “people of fundamentally differing views”? Why or why not?
* What were the most important “fundamental views” upon which the Constitution was founded?
* What are the most important “fundamental views” undergirding the Constitution today?
* Where exactly in the Constitution is the “right to an abortion” guaranteed? Defend this answer.
* When do you believe that “life begins? Why?
* Define “person” as used in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Defend your definitions.
As the 2008 election campaigns grow hotter and wilder, we must make heard our call for every candidate and official to protect the sanctity of life. May we always remember that a pregnancy is for nine months; abortion is forever. [emphasis mine]
(Source: Armstrong, Virginia, “Roe Still Must Go: The Elections of 2008”, “Eagle Forum,” Volume 10, Number 1, January 19, 2008)
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