Turnarounds

[Monica02]

We were able to convince four couples to not go into the abortion clinic Saturday. They were quite happy that we were there to talk them out of it and we were told by two of them that they would have went through with the abortion had we not been there.

My questions for those who might have objections to people counseling outside of abortion clinics are:

Do you think it was a good or bad thing that we were ouside of the clinic this Saturday? Would it have been better if those couples who had doubts had just gone through with the abortion?

 

[Harpuia]

To me, I think that such things should be necessary before a couple wishes to have an abortion. Think about this for a second. There are so many other options out there for women to go through. There's good chances after 6 weeks that the woman could be left infertile or end up with complications from this... they should know all the dangers and why it's such a big deal.

After that, if they still want an abortion, who am I to stop them?

 

[jayem]

Do you think it was a good or bad thing that we were ouside of the clinic this Saturday? Would it have been better if those couples who had doubts had just gone through with the abortion?

It's a good thing that people make informed, voluntary decisions. Reproductive options should be private choices between medical provider and patient, rather than the state dictating what those options are. Whatever information a patient gets, from whatever source, is fine with me, so long as it's complete and accurate. And this means honestly discussing the risks of pregnancy, as well as the risks of termination.

 

[Monica02]

It's a good thing that people make informed, voluntary decisions. Reproductive options should be private choices between medical provider and patient, rather than the state dictating what those options are. Whatever information a patient gets, from whatever source, is fine with me, so long as it's complete and accurate. And this means honestly discussing the risks of pregnancy, as well as the risks of termination.

So you support the good work of the sidewalk counselors? I doubt if the abortionist would ever provide the abortion seeker a list of the malpractice suits against him. People are quite concerned when they see this list. It is good that we are there to provide this info.

 

[Mr. QWERTY]

So you support the good work of the sidewalk counselors?

No. It is not good work and I do not support it.

I doubt if the abortionist would ever provide the abortion seeker a list of the malpractice suits against him. People are quite concerned when they see this list. It is good that we are there to provide this info.

We live in a litigious society. A simple list of lawsuits proves nothing. They could be groundless, motivated by money or political reasons.

I think that sidewalk protesters are disgusting and reprehensible, as well as an insult to the intelligence of people considering abortion. You know nothing about the life circumstances of the people going to the clinic, yet you assume you know what is best for them.

 

[Monica02]

No. It is not good work and I do not support it.



We live in a litigious society. A simple list of lawsuits proves nothing. They could be groundless, motivated by money or political reasons.

I think that sidewalk protesters are disgusting and reprehensible, as well as an insult to the intelligence of people considering abortion. You know nothing about the life circumstances of the people going to the clinic, yet you assume you know what is best for them.

But we find out about their life circumstances as we talk to them. These four couples were happy, not insulted, when they left the clinic - they obviously had doubts about the abortion and chose not to have it. What is so disgusting and reprehensible about that?

 

[Mr. QWERTY]

But we find out about their life circumstances as we talk to them. These four couples were happy, not insulted, when they left the clinic - they obviously had doubts about the abortion and chose not to have it. What is so disgusting and reprehensible about that?

There is no way that you can find out about life circumstances in a short period of time. Tell me, can you answer the following questions for each of the couples:

Religion (of both people)
How long have they been married
Do they have family in the area
Are they economically stable
Do they have a stable relationship
A family history of addiction or sexual abuse
Have they ever been conflicted about having children
Mental disorders
Their views on abortion

These are just a very few of the things one would need to know. You are furthermore presuming that you know what is better for them based upon an hour of discussion (if that...) rather than the couple and their days or weeks of deliberation. Are their decisionmaking abilities so lacking that yours are automatically better?

How are each of those four couples doing now? Do you have a plan for following up with them for the next 3-5 years? Can you be absolutely positive that your intervention has not increased the stress in their lives?

 

[heatherq17]

I think its a good thing...

 

[hernyaccent]

I don't think it's a good thing at all. You never know why a couple or individual is at the abortion clinic in the first place. There are many unusual situations some in which the mothers life maybe at risk or the child is going to be forced to suffer through a lil of disabilities. So for all the "good" you assume you may be doing you might being doing bad as well.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Its a wonderful thing. Keep up the good work.

 

[Monica02]

Mr. QWERTY]There is no way that you can find out about life circumstances in a short period of time. Tell me, can you answer the following questions for each of the couples:

Religion (of both people)
How long have they been married
Do they have family in the area
Are they economically stable
Do they have a stable relationship
A family history of addiction or sexual abuse
Have they ever been conflicted about having children
Mental disorders
Their views on abortion

We find out what we can in a few minutes or more.
We always ask why they are planning an abortion andjust take the conversation from there.


All were Catholic.

One couple for sure was not married and the guy was living with another woman. One couple was for sure married. Did not ask if others were married or not.

Do not know if they had family in the area.

One couple was having a difficult time financially, the other couples I do not know about.

I do not know if their relationships are stable or not.

Did not find out about addiction or abuse.

I guess they have been conflicted about having the child she is pregnant with now - that is why they were there.

They had the good sense to not kill their child so I guess there is no mental disorder.

They all knew abortion was wrong - they all shook their heads yes when we said "you know this is wrong - don't you".

These are just a very few of the things one would need to know. You are furthermore presuming that you know what is better for them based upon an hour of discussion (if that...) rather than the couple and their days or weeks of deliberation. Are their decisionmaking abilities so lacking that yours are automatically better?

Why on Earth would I have to know all of this? The decision to not abort was THEIRS, not mine and I am sure that they are aware of own situation.

How are each of those four couples doing now? Do you have a plan for following up with them for the next 3-5 years? Can you be absolutely positive that your intervention has not increased the stress in their lives

We gave one couple our number and gave all of them numbers of assistance organizations. I am quite sure that the baby will add stress to their lives, most babies do.

 

[Monica02]

I think its a good thing...

So do I and so did the four smiling coulples.

 

[mpshiel]

I guess I will think it is about as much a good choice if you will honor the same choice made by good hearted people who stand outside of your church urging people not to throw away thier time, money and emotional stress by believing in something that doesn't exist. (or better yet, how would you like doctors who do abortions going up to pregnant women coming out of your church going, "If you step in my car, I can take care of that right away? Do you want my pamphlet on 10 good reasons why you should have an abortion today?")

If that offends; then maybe "streetside counsellors" should ask themselves what type of equal respect you have?

 

[Monica02]

Its a wonderful thing. Keep up the good work.

Thank you for your support and I will most certainly continue my work. I am encouraged by the events of Saturday.

 

[Prince Lucianus]

I think it's a good thing.

If they can be convinced in X minutes that they shouldn't have one, then they shouldn't have gone in the first place.
But, it does depend on the argumentation used. If theological and emotional arguments were used, then I don't doubt that they'll return when they thought it over again.

People should think these things through. If they didn't and can be convinced, then they didn't intelligently think it over.

Lucy

 

[Mr. QWERTY]

But we find out about their life circumstances as we talk to them.

and...

We find out what we can in a few minutes or more.
We always ask why they are planning an abortion andjust take the conversation from there.

All were Catholic.

One couple for sure was not married and the guy was living with another woman. One couple was for sure married. Did not ask if others were married or not.

Do not know if they had family in the area.

One couple was having a difficult time financially, the other couples I do not know about.

I do not know if their relationships are stable or not.

Did not find out about addiction or abuse.

So despite your earlier statement, you admit that you know very little about these couples. That your conviction that abortion is wrong is superior to any of the above circumstances that could have a huge impact on their lives. And that you do not actually care enough to follow up with these people, but simply gave them a phone number. Great follow up care.

Your callous disregard for other peoples lives digusts me.

 

[Monica02]

I think it's a good thing.

If they can be convinced in X minutes that they shouldn't have one, then they shouldn't have gone in the first place.
But, it does depend on the argumentation used. If theological and emotional arguments were used, then I don't doubt that they'll return when they thought it over again.

People should think these things through. If they didn't and can be convinced, then they didn't intelligently think it over.

Lucy

I suppose some might return and have the abortion. We do not always get contact information to find out.
Each situation is different and different points will get through to different people. Sometimes people need financial help. Alot change their minds when they see how well developed the baby is.

 

[Monica02]

and...



So despite your earlier statement, you admit that you know very little about these couples. That your conviction that abortion is wrong is superior to any of the above circumstances that could have a huge impact on their lives. And that you do not actually care enough to follow up with these people, but simply gave them a phone number. Great follow up care.

Your callous disregard for other peoples lives digusts me.

I never claimed that I had tremendous knowledge of their lives, I did say that we know about their situations- of course we cannot find out everthing about them in a short discussion.

You seem to be ignoring the fact that all of the couples agreed that abortion was wrong, so it was not just my conviction. You also seem to ignore the fact that these couples chose to stop and talk to us and they themselves chose to not go through with the abortion.
Two of the couples actually told us that they would have went through with the abortion had we not been there, so whatever we did have a chance to discuss obviously resonated with them because they themselves left happy and they made their own decisions.

All of the couples had contct information for assistance if they want to call.

 

[Monica02]

I guess I will think it is about as much a good choice if you will honor the same choice made by good hearted people who stand outside of your church urging people not to throw away thier time, money and emotional stress by believing in something that doesn't exist. (or better yet, how would you like doctors who do abortions going up to pregnant women coming out of your church going, "If you step in my car, I can take care of that right away? Do you want my pamphlet on 10 good reasons why you should have an abortion today?")

If that offends; then maybe "streetside counsellors" should ask themselves what type of equal respect you have?

I am not sure what you are trying to say. We have freedom of speech in this country and people can stand outside of a church and talk to people if they want to - I will never advocate for that right to be taken away -even for abortionists - although I do of course advocate for abortion to be stopped nad for it to be illegal.

I stand outside of church buildings myself and hand out pro-life literature.

I fail to see what respect has to do with this discussion. Obviously the four couples were quite pleased that we were there and that we helped them to change their minds. They did not view us as disrespectful and I have the upmost respect for them.

 

[David Gould]

How do you respond to people who say, 'Not interested'?