Turnarounds

[Monica02]

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

Do you mean not interested in talking to us?

Normally people do not stop their car or they drive off if they have stopped and are not interested. We do not therefore get a chance to respond. We do try to keep them talking if we can.

 

[David Gould]

Do you mean not interested in talking to us?

Normally people do not stop their car or they drive off if they have stopped and are not interested. We do not therefore get a chance to respond. We do try to keep them talking if we can.

Okay, I guess I am unclear whereabouts you are doing this. There is a clinic. You are where in relation to this clinic?

 

[Monica02]

Okay, I guess I am unclear whereabouts you are doing this. There is a clinic. You are where in relation to this clinic?

The clinic is in the back of a strip-type office building. we are on the public right of way next to the street, in between the street and the parking lot. We usually have to stop people as they enter the parking lot in their car. Occasionally we can get them to walk over to us from the clinic, but thisdoes not happen very often.

 

[David Gould]

The clinic is in the back of a strip-type office building. we are on the public right of way next to the street, in between the street and the parking lot. We usually have to stop people as they enter the parking lot in their car. Occasionally we can get them to walk over to us from the clinic, but thisdoes not happen very often.

Okay. Do you actually stop people, or do you simply wait for people to stop and then talk to them if they do?

 

[Monica02]

Okay. Do you actually stop people, or do you simply wait for people to stop and then talk to them if they do?

We motion with our hand and ask them to stop. Some stop and talk, some just keep driving.

 

[David Gould]

We motion with our hand and ask them to stop. Some stop and talk, some just keep driving.

Is it clear from your displays et cetera that you are an anti-abortion group?

 

[David Gould]

(In other words, if I was driving along and I saw you guys waving, would I know immediately what it was about).

 

[Monica02]

Is it clear from your displays et cetera that you are an anti-abortion group?

We usually have large signs of fetal development and abortion photos and signs that offer help. That coupled with the fact that we are standing outside of an abortion clinic might tell people the nature of our work.
If people do not know - they will soon find out if they stop to talk.

 

[David Gould]

We usually have large signs of fetal development and abortion photos and signs that offer help. That coupled with the fact that we are standing outside of an abortion clinic might tell people the nature of our work.
If people do not know - they will soon find out if they stop to talk.

As far as I am concerned, provided you are polite, non-judgmental and non-threatening - and accept it when people say, 'Not interested,' - I do not have a problem with what you are doing.

 

[Brennin]

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?

You are doing a good deed.

 

[Brennin]

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?

Nonsense.

 

[Brennin]

Your callous disregard for other peoples lives digusts me.

Nonsense.

 

[Monica02]

As far as I am concerned, provided you are polite, non-judgmental and non-threatening - and accept it when people say, 'Not interested,' - I do not have a problem with what you are doing.

I always try to be polite and friendly - I have more success this way. I may come off, simply by the very nature of my method and goals, as being judgmental by some people. I obviously think that abortion is wrong so this could be viewed as judgmental. I never threaten - it is not my style and it is also illegal. It also probably would not work. I really have no choice if a car drives off - I cannot stop a car.

 

[PurpletheHeathen]

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?

Would what I think, as an agnostic that is not pro life, nor am I pro abortion matter to you? Since you asked the question in an open forum, and an apologetics one at that, I will assume you are at least mildly interested so....

Some have already asked you some fine questions, I will had but a few...

Did you change peoples minds, or did you give them information they did not have, and let them make up their own minds?
I cannot say if it would have been better or not for them to have gone through with the abortion, you did not include the circumstances surruonding the pregnancies. Why were these couples seeking an abortion in the first place? What options did you discuss with them? Will these children now be put up for adoption, or raised by people who did not want them? Are you, or anyone who was with you trained and certified medical professionals? Or were you praticing counseling, without a licence on people in an emotionally volatile time in their lives?
Was what you did good or not? I am not sure, tell me what you did exactly. Did you give people who were unaware more options so they could make a more educated decision? I could respect that. Or did you make an emotional appeal and attempt to interfer with lives you essential know nothing about? That I would say is a bad thing.

 

[David Gould]

I always try to be polite and friendly - I have more success this way. I may come off, simply by the very nature of my method and goals, as being judgmental by some people.

Do you get into arguments?

I obviously think that abortion is wrong so this could be viewed as judgmental. I never threaten - it is not my style and it is also illegal. It also probably would not work.

Things like, 'You will go to hell if you do this,' is a threat. I am assuming that you never use things like this in your talks.

I really have no choice if a car drives off - I cannot stop a car.

Do you shout after them, for example?

These are the kinds of things I would be worried about.

 

[Brennin]

Do you get into arguments?



Things like, 'You will go to hell if you do this,' is a threat. I am assuming that you never use things like this in your talks.



Do you shout after them, for example?

These are the kinds of things I would be worried about.

I believe your concerns are legitimate. From what Monica has posted I do not believe she engages in that sort of rude behavior, though.

 

[sister_maynard]

As long as you were being polite and not chasing people or shouting at them, I'm perfectly all right with what you were doing. Your speech is protected by the First Amendment, and couples who were so uncertain that they could be persuaded not to ever come back because of a little talking may be better off in the end.

 

[Monica02]

Did you change peoples minds, or did you give them information they did not have, and let them make up their own minds?

How could I change someone elses mind for them? They made the decision to leave after we talked to them. Do you think I forced my way into the driver's seat and drove them off in their own car? Of course they made up their own minds.

I cannot say if it would have been better or not for them to have gone through with the abortion, you did not include the circumstances surruonding the pregnancies. Why were these couples seeking an abortion in the first place?

One couple's problem was that the man was already involved with another woman.
Another couple already had five kids and was worried about money.
Another lady was 45 and was told by her doctor that she was too old and should have an abortion.
The fourth couple just was not sure about their decision.

What options did you discuss with them? Will these children now be put up for adoption, or raised by people who did not want them?

We discussed what the aborted fetus would look like, showed them fetal development photos gave them numbers of aid organizations.

We mentioned adoption of course.
Do you think these people did not want their children? The 45 year old wanted hers - we advised her to get a better doctor - one who would be willing to help save her and her child - not simply advise her to kill the baby.
The couple with five kids wanted their baby - they were just overwhelmed with debt and bills and we gave them our phone number if they ever needed anything.
The cheating man couple were delighted when they came out of the clinic and infomed us that they were keeping their baby - they wanted their baby. They just had a sticky situation to deal with and I am proud of them for dealing with it with honesty instead of killing the baby who was not responsible for his parent's actions.
The other couple was just confused and not sure but they were happy to change their minds.

Are you, or anyone who was with you trained and certified medical professionals? Or were you praticing counseling, without a licence on people in an emotionally volatile time in their lives?

I have plenty of experience in what I do.
No license is required - although I did take a class and always try to get tips from people. The best thing to do is just see what is troubling the woman or couple and talk them through their worries.

Was what you did good or not? I am not sure, tell me what you did exactly. Did you give people who were unaware more options so they could make a more educated decision? I could respect that. Or did you make an emotional appeal and attempt to interfer with lives you essential know nothing about? That I would say is a bad thing.

Of course I interfered - that is why I am there. It is an emotional subject so of course the appeal would involve emotions.
How happy those four were when they left the clinic - happy emotions.

 

[Monica02]

David Gould]

Do you get into arguments?

Usually not although occasionally people off the street hollor at us - not htose entering the clinic. I just wave to the anrgy passers bye.

Things like, 'You will go to hell if you do this,' is a threat. I am assuming that you never use things like this in your talks.

No, I have never told anyone that they will go to hell. If they are Christian I will say "you know this is wrong , don't you" and they usually shake their head yes.

Do you shout after them, for example?

I never shout because my voice will not carry far enough to the clinic door. People with better voices might ask them to come talk to us, but not in a mean way.

These are the kinds of things I would be worried about.[/quote]

 

[David Gould]

Sounds fine to me, then.