What is Abortion?
"...the premeditated killing of an innocent, unborn human being."
--www.crusadeforlife.org
With the establishment of Roe vs. Wade, an active Pro-Life movement joined the realm of American politics. Pro-life activists lobby for counter-legislation to make abortion illegal or severely restricted, support pregnancy care centers, and champion the sanctity of life.
--www.crusadeforlife.org
With the establishment of Roe vs. Wade, an active Pro-Life movement joined the realm of American politics. Pro-life activists lobby for counter-legislation to make abortion illegal or severely restricted, support pregnancy care centers, and champion the sanctity of life.
The Catholic Church
"A nation that kills its own children is a nation without hope."
--Pope John Paul II
Many see the Catholic Church as the originator of the pro-life movement due to their vocal stance on abortion, euthanasia, and other ethical issues concerning the sanctity of life. The Roman Catholic Catechism states: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person -- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life (Priests for Life)." Invariably, the Catholic Church stands firmly against abortion citing Psalm 139:13 from the Bible:
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb."
The Catechism also states that excommunication from the church is an appropriate response to abortion, that prenatal diagnosis is illicit, and that "Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity, which are unique and unrepeatable." (Priests for Life).
Gardner and Will Analysis: The Catholic Church has assumed a leadership role in the debate on abortion because of the mass international following (approximately 1.8 billion) that proclaim the Catholic faith. The sanctity of life is an cause that is central to the Christian tradition, and has assumed the support of much of the Protestant World as well. The Church leads by Gardner's theories of influence; the pope often makes anti-abortion statements. As a component of their faith, Catholics follow his example and the majority share his beliefs. The Church also, in a smaller way, leads by Will's ideas. However, political activism and mobilization are not the chief ends of the Church.
--Pope John Paul II
Many see the Catholic Church as the originator of the pro-life movement due to their vocal stance on abortion, euthanasia, and other ethical issues concerning the sanctity of life. The Roman Catholic Catechism states: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person -- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life (Priests for Life)." Invariably, the Catholic Church stands firmly against abortion citing Psalm 139:13 from the Bible:
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb."
The Catechism also states that excommunication from the church is an appropriate response to abortion, that prenatal diagnosis is illicit, and that "Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity, which are unique and unrepeatable." (Priests for Life).
Gardner and Will Analysis: The Catholic Church has assumed a leadership role in the debate on abortion because of the mass international following (approximately 1.8 billion) that proclaim the Catholic faith. The sanctity of life is an cause that is central to the Christian tradition, and has assumed the support of much of the Protestant World as well. The Church leads by Gardner's theories of influence; the pope often makes anti-abortion statements. As a component of their faith, Catholics follow his example and the majority share his beliefs. The Church also, in a smaller way, leads by Will's ideas. However, political activism and mobilization are not the chief ends of the Church.
The National Right to Life cOmmittee (NRLC)
“The pro-life movement is the greatest social cause of our time. I am eager to continue National Right to Life’s educational, legislative and political efforts to advance the right to life of the most vulnerable members of our human family – the unborn, the elderly, and the medically dependent and disabled.”
-Carol Tobias, President of the NRLC, 2011
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) is a coalition of pro-life organizations that was founded in 1968. The NRLC uses legislation and education to work against abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide (nrlc, 1968). The NRLC maintains 50 state affiliates and 3,000 local affiliates nationwide.
Gardner and Will Analysis: The NRLC provides a medium for pro-life, non-religious groups to support the pro-life cause. It is an organization that operates by lobbying the government and promoting pro-life ideals. Carol Tobias, the president, leads by Will's description of a leader as one who promotes mobilization.
-Carol Tobias, President of the NRLC, 2011
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) is a coalition of pro-life organizations that was founded in 1968. The NRLC uses legislation and education to work against abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted suicide (nrlc, 1968). The NRLC maintains 50 state affiliates and 3,000 local affiliates nationwide.
Gardner and Will Analysis: The NRLC provides a medium for pro-life, non-religious groups to support the pro-life cause. It is an organization that operates by lobbying the government and promoting pro-life ideals. Carol Tobias, the president, leads by Will's description of a leader as one who promotes mobilization.