Teachers Saving Children^® of Pennsylvania Inc.

Steve points out that feelings are dominating our reactions to the presidential candidates. Referring to influences such as media sound bites and opinion polls he states, “When substance is lost in superficiality, people become dangerously gullible. Think for yourself. Do your own homework,” and, “Let’s research these predictions instead of emotionally reacting to them. Look beyond hype to the facts.”

Voting for our country’s leaders is indeed both a privilege and a responsibility. Please vote, but we urge you to look closely at the candidates’ positions on issues related to the protection of life and other social considerations which are of vital importance to us as a society. As you are aware, the next president will likely appoint some new Supreme Court Justices which could well impact pro-life issues. Please be an informed voter. As Steve Cornell points out, “. . .we need good leadership in this difficult, complex and dangerous world.” (Adapted from “Beware the Political Frenzy,” Lancaster Sunday News 9-14-08. Used with permission.)

Clarify the issue. Many people think the abortion issue is hopelessly complex. Pro-life advocates contend that elective abortion unjustly takes the life of a defenseless human being. This helps to simplify the abortion controversy by focusing on just one question: Is the unborn a member of the human family? If so, aborting him or her to benefit others is a serious moral wrong, treating that human being as a disposable object.

Arguments based on “choice” miss the point entirely, Mr. Klusendorf points out. However, he advises that we remind pro-life critics that we are vigorously pro-choice when it comes to women making a variety of choices. We support a woman’s right to choose her own doctor, to choose her own husband, to choose her own job, and to choose her own religion, to name a few. But some choices are wrong – like killing innocent human beings simply because they are an inconvenience and cannot defend themselves.

Defend your pro-life position with science and philosophy. Scientifically, we know that from the earliest stages of development, the unborn are distinct, living, and whole human beings. Scott relates that Dr. Alan Guttmacher, former Planned Parenthood president, prior to his abortion advocacy was perplexed that anyone, especially a medical doctor, would question this. He wrote in his book, Life in the Making, “This all seems so simple and evident that it is difficult to picture a time when it wasn’t part of the common knowledge.”

Challenge your listeners to be intellectually honest. For example, when critics say that it is birth that makes the unborn human, ask, “How does a mere change of location from inside to the outside of the womb change the essential nature of the unborn?” Some people will ignore the scientific and philosophic case you present for your pro-life view and argue for abortion based on self-interest. Remind them that if we care about the truth, we will embrace the facts, even at the cost of our own self-interest.

Pat’s professional experiences include working as a registered nurse and teaching in Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing before she transitioned to working as a middle school counselor, which she did for 23 years. She is also a licensed psychologist and has worked in that discipline most recently.

The article, “Our Journey to Adoption,” in our October 2006 newsletter was the story of the Bartow’s daughter, Renee Harnish. That experience confirmed Pat’s dedication to the pro-life position. Becoming actively involved in Teachers Saving Children^®, Pat says, gives her an opportunity to concretely express that commitment.

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists conducted an in-depth study in July 2007 titled, “Long-Term Complications Associated with Induced Abortion.” It contains extensive research demonstrating the negative physical and emotional effects of abortion. Their study report opens with this statement: “We are aware of no studies that demonstrate a better mental or physical health outcome for aborted women, compared to those who choose to deliver. On the contrary, there is ample evidence that induced abortion in many cases is associated with significant degradation of emotional health, physical health and reproductive health.”

In his newsletter, Dr. Dobson cites additional studies that verify physical and emotional difficulties for post-abortion women. Sadly, he points out, “The facts are buried or ignored and we are told that the right to an abortion is the hallmark of female empowerment.”

Robin Ross (Executive Director), York County	717-292-2021
Patricia Bartow, Lancastser County	717-872-7283
Patricia Brock, Elk County	814-832-6976
Julie Myers, York County	unpublished
Jeff Remington, Lebanon County	717-838-7538
Patricia Yamrick, Indiana County	724-349-7489