So Morgentaler will be received into the Order of Canada in Quebec City on Friday, I hear. Not enough to tolerate abortion, must celebrate. Must celebrate. Must celebrate. Must celebrate.
People have asked, “What should we do?” And I say, keep calm and carry on, in the words of Trish Egan. Ok, so they’re not her words. But you get my point. The only people who should not keep calm and carry on are those who are shocked by this award but are not doing anything to help pro-lifers. Those folks should keep calm, yes, but get plugged in somewhere–doing something, donating time, or money, or speaking out. That’s all I’m going to say about Morgentaler for now.
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For some time now I’ve felt that the pro-life cause plays all their cards wrong. Some people hope they can get a party elected that will outlaw abortion, forgetting that their party would be permanently voted out of office in the next election. Others think that they can accomplish something by marching and screaming. Maybe, but I think this is counter-productive. Others seek to get themselves arrested, which might cause some sort of moral reaction, but is more likely to get them branded as lunatics by most Canadians.
So, in my opinion, the only real way to change our abortion laws and practices is to change public opinion. This brings me to the reason for my comment. You mentioned supporting the pro-life cause with our money. Can you suggest some pro-life organizations whose philosophy of action is in keeping with my beliefs about needing to change public opinion?
Yes! Let us change public opinion!
I recall some impressive examples of that in recent past. What changed German public opinion rather rapidly and permanently in 1945, was Germany’s utter defeat and unconditional surrender in World War II.
Ditto in Japan around the same time. Two atomic bombs sufficed to effectively explain certain things to the incredulous Japanese public.
Power brought to bear, defeat, suffering – all tend to be very persuasive. Other means, not so much, especially when there is no good reason to change. I hope this helps Shawn Abigail in his search.
While I think it’s harsh to say we’ve been playing all our cards wrong, I do agree we need to do a great deal more to show we mean what we say. Getting arrested, marching, voting, all these are ways to show we care enough to risk our reputation and spend time on trying to get the word out. And what’s wrong with getting arrested when the law is what’s wrong? Hm. It all depends how you do it. Linda Gibbons for instance, changes people’s minds wherever she is: jail, on the sidewalk breaking injunctions…even those who disagree with Linda has to respect the energy and determination with which she pursues her goal.
Public Opinion may not change easily, as it is always easier to demonize the messenger when the message is self-evident and impossible to deny. But one way would be to support pro-life organizations who train and send speakers to high schools. Another would be to support sidewalk counselling work and increasingly pastoral and calm methods of outreach, that changes PR for the most important people: the ones walking into the clinics.
If you believe in the power of prayer to change things, you can join the 40 Days for Life vigil at 65 Bank St. in Ottawa. Tomorrow would be a great day to show up in big numbers. And even if you don’t believe in the power of prayer to change things, you can show up anyway and stand in solidarity with those who believe that life is the only choice. Yesterday I was there and had the privilege of witnessing a teenaged girl change her mind about having an abortion at said clinic. Pretty sweet irony considering tomorrow Morgentaler is being honoured for ruining lives. A few less lives were ruined yesterday.
Wow Suzanne – that is great. I bet that she will not regret that decision for a moment.
I wish I was in that area and could go and protest this travesty.
What I think are needed to change attitude are prime-time commercials that show the scientific fact of what a fetus is. Cut to quotes from prominent feminists calling it a parasite or cluster of cells, descriptions of abortion procedures and then cut back to images of a live fetus wiggiling around his little fingers. Of course this costs a lot of money and needs a strong organization behind it.