5 Arguments and responses

1. It is not a human being/person They may say… Do not impose religion on me A fetus is only a potential human being It is not a person, it has no meaningful life It is not a baby Life begins at birth Fetus is just a part of the woman’s body

1. Response Science tells us: the new life is a new human being from the moment of fertilization By the time most abortions happen, the baby already has a heartbeat and brain waves The baby is a distinct and unique person and deserves protection under the law as we do Beating heart - at 18 days Brain waves – 6 weeks Most abortions occur after 9 weeks RU 486 only used after 6 weeks

2. A woman has a right to control her own body They may say… We cannot force a woman to carry a pregnancy to term against her will Everyone has the right to choose/ Every women has the right to control her body It is a private decision between a woman and her doctor, the government needs to stay out of our bedroom An unwed girl should not have to be embarrassed by having to carry her pregnancy to term Women won’t ever have equal rights if abortion isn’t an option Some women have no other choice I’m personally opposed but……….

2. Response Every mother is faced with decisions to make for herself and her child but these do not include the right to kill her baby Deserve accurate and compassionate information about the facts of fetal development PRC’s Right to being fully informed of the facts

3. Every child a wanted child and other social arguments They may say… Overpopulation and quality of life Separation of church and state Majority of Americans are pro-choice Unfair to bring an unwanted child into the world Being unwanted leads to child abuse The poor need to limit their children or they will always be on welfare

3. Response We will never end poverty by killing poor children Mothers who have abortions are just as poor tomorrow Problems in this world are not cured by turning to abortion to make it “go away” Problem: lack of development, not population Women desire basic health care for them and their families Countries where abortion is not legal often respect life

4. Back Alley Abortions They may say… Tens of thousands with resort to back alley abortions and die Abortion may be the best answer for the woman at this time Abortion is safer than childbirth Abortion is easy and painless

4. Response The numbers pro-abortionists use to back up their claims are mostly made up The real numbers of deaths before 1973 are shockingly different 39 women died of illegal abortions in 1972 39 women plus their children Deaths have decreased because antibiotics were used in botched abortions The main forms of abortion have changed little Legalization only gave rights to signs on the door Mothers deserve better – PRC’s are there to help

5. The hard cases They may say… What if the women’s life was threatened? What if the baby has a deformity? What if the women was raped or was the victim of incest?

5. Response A. Abortion is a life-threatening situation Ectopic pregnancy – fertilized egg implants outside uterus B. Don’t cure illness by killing the patient Special needs – support, not prejudice C. She has been the victim of a terrifying act of violence which sometimes can lead to a second victim- the baby Some mothers carry their babies and feel that they have turned a horrible experience into something life-giving Support for mother and child is most important

Thank you It is important to know how to respond in the most effective way possible Always have compassion and show support for the mother in ways that lead her to support her child