Even Patricia Ireland Used To Be Pro-Life

Washington Dispatch ^ | 6/7/2003 | Kevin M. Jeanfreau

[MHGinTN]

Jun 7, 2003

Patricia Ireland and her entire side used to be pro-life. Each and every one of them was, when they were young. If you had asked little Miss Ireland while in the first grade what is inside a pregnant woman’s tummy, she would have said a baby. If you had asked if it would be okay to hurt that baby in any way, she would have said no. Try it with a thousand first graders; their answers will all be basically the same. The fact is, as little ones we are naturally pro-life.

Children have been growing up these last three decades, being fed a prodigious diet of anti life, anti family rhetoric, seasoned with subtle “choice” sentiments. Over time, such propaganda slowly becomes “palatable”. Roughly 50 percent of them (us) change from their natural pro-life selves into pro-abortion adults. Sadly, during these same decades, children who have gone through Christian education from kindergarten through 12th grade have not been taught the truth about the sanctity of life and so statistically they are almost as likely to become pro-abortion as those who receive government education. This is the single most important factor why the holocaust continues, yet it remains largely un-addressed by the pro-life movement as well as Christian leaders.

Voting records of Christians show that our schools have not taught the truth about the unborn in an effective way as an option to the lies we’ve all been exposed to.

[traditionalist]

A good point, but I do not think you're going to win over any pro-abortion types with this logic. They'll just say, "oh, a first grader does not understand the complexity of the issue," or "a first grader does not understand that there are shades of grey, not just black and white," blah, blah, blah.

[Barnacle]

Even Patricia Ireland Used To Be Pro-Life

Sure - When she was in the womb.

[Coleus]

It's a great point and insight on your part but how do you propose having one teach pro life issues in the classroom or in the home?

[MHGinTN]

Classroom of Christian schools, such as parochial schools.

[Coleus]

That's not too many kids. In my town, there are about 16,000 school-aged students, all but about 2,000 are in parochial schools. I guess it's a start. I hope this information is already being taught in the Jewish and Catholic schools.

[MHGinTN]

It is not being taught in Catholic schools, that's the point of Kevin's drive to get a pro-life curriculum started for k - 12.

[Coleus]

He'll have to start with each individual Diocese with the Superintendent of Schools, get the curriculum approved and then will either have the Superintendent or Bishop add it to the curriculum or pitch it to each school, it's a huge undertaking. Are there currently any schools teaching his curriculum at the moment?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Even Patricia Ireland Used To Be Human.

LOL, that's hard to believe.

[MHGinTN]

ping-a-ling, Kevin

[cpforlife.org]

I'm back- had some unexpected things come up.

Coleus asks: "It's a great point and insight on your part but how do you propose having one teach pro life issues in the classroom or in the home?"

See Pro-Life Education Program
I believe that in Religion class, Bible Study CCD etc., one quarter of the year should be devoted to teaching the sanctity of life. There is already an enormous wealth of material available that is suitable for classroom use. A tailored program could be developed in no time if the powers that be wanted it.

Yes, it is a HUGE undertaking. That is why I am trying to make known the Respect Life Curriculum Guidelines , published in 1977 by the US Catholic Bishop’s. It is still available.

It was the bishop’s answer to fighting the scourge of abortion brought about by Roe v Wade in 1973. This 109 page book holds a tremendous potential to create a nation of pro-life Christians who would live, work, and VOTE to restore equal protection to all citizens—born and UNBORN.

The only result is that we have Respect Life month and week in October. Sadly it is unknown in much of the country and has little impact as a whole. This is what has become of a 109 page blue-print for change.

[Coleus]

Maybe this can help:

http://www.priestsforlife.org/newsletters/v12n03mayjun02.htm#planning

http://www.usccb.org/prolife/pastoralplan.htm

[cpforlife.org]

Here is an example:

Plastic Model of 11-12 Week Preborn Baby (aprox. 2 ¼" Long) Only 26 cents in large quantity. Each model comes with a PHOTO FRONT card which details fetal development on the back. From VictoryWon .

This is a very powerful but inexpensive model that is excellent for hands on teaching with students. When a student holds this model pre-born baby in their hands and is taught the truth of life before birth it will create a lasting impression. Students are instructed to "keep baby safe" as they will be all bringing "their babies" back to class for future lessons. Used till end of High School.

Fetal One Model

Fetal One Model CARD

Here is an idea that takes only 15 minutes and should be done annually from 8th - 12th: While each student holds their very own fetal model they watch Hard Truth . Other videos can also be used throughout the program. There are also videos that are great for younger grades.

[cgk]

Excellent idea.

In my high school, they had the girls responsible for marked EGGS for about a week, which doesn't exactly teach respect for Life, when you merely break them open for breakfast any given day.

[cpforlife.org]

Not really,

What's needed is actual pro-life work books that are used 5 days a week - just like Math, English, Science, etc. With regular tests. Also videos, handouts, models (like in post 72 - there are many others) posters, etc. all would enforce the workbooks.

And it must be a MANDATORY part of the school year, just like Math, English, Science, etc. To leave it optional is a joke.

If a student graduates with perfect grades, but does not have a solid understanding of the sanctity of Life and his personal obligation to defend Life, we have failed him and our Lord miserably.

There truly is no valid reason why teaching the sanctity of life should not be mandatory in all Christian schools, bible study, and CCD programs across the nation and around the globe. The Christian world has everything to gain. It is only the culture of death that has something to lose.

[cgk]

Ping for pro-lifers' ideas on teaching children... (see #72 and previous discussions.)

(as always, apologies for anyone already pinged, posted)

[cgk]

"I am opposed to abortion and to government funding of abortions. We should not spend state funds on abortions because so many people believe abortion is wrong." (Gov. Bill Clinton in a 1986 letter to Arkansas Right to Life)

"Life is the division of human cells, a process that begins with conception .... The (Supreme Court's ruling) was unjust, and it is incumbent on the Congress to correct the injustice .... I have always been supportive of pro-life legislation. I intend to remain steadfast on the issue .... I believe that the life of the unborn should be protected at all costs." (Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), 1977)

In 1984 Sen. Al Gore wrote a constituent of his "deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong," and he voted to amend the Civil Rights Act to define the word "person" to "include unborn children from the moment of conception." Apparently Gore's "conviction" wasn't that deep. He now favors unrestricted abortion.

In a 1971 letter, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) wrote that "human life, even at its earliest stages, has a certain right which must be recognized -- the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old."

Rev. Jesse Jackson once endorsed the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federally funded abortions except in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is endangered. In an open letter to Congress, Jackson said he opposed the use of federal funds for "killing infants." In 1977 Jackson wrote an article for National Right to Life News that said: "It takes three to make a baby: a man, a woman and the Holy Spirit. What happens to the mind of a person, and the moral fabric of a nation, that accepts the aborting of the life of a baby without a pang of conscience? What kind of a person and what kind of a society will we have 20 years hence if life can be taken so casually?"

[cpforlife.org]

Hmmmm....

Eggs (which rot) or for a few pennies more a medically accurate model of an 11-12 week old person waiting to be born, with an info card. This is the age when most children are aborted.

I love the people in the pro-life movement (Heck, my whole family is involved!) But you just gave an example (one of millions) of our weakness. All the available material never makes it to the people who are truly open minded and sponges for info.-the school children!!!!!

There is a communication breakdown between the pro-life leaders and the kids in Christian schools. More than just a breakdown, a wall of separation between life saving and culture saving information, and those who are most receptive to accept it and do something with it. It is tantamount to withholding CPR classes from a person that you know will need them in the very near future.

Christian educators must work with this incredible advantage: That they have a "captive audience" of school students whose minds are open vessels for learning about the sanctity of life-from conception to natural death.

[MHGinTN]

It is tantamount to withholding CPR classes from a person that you know will need them in the very near future. A very apt analogy! And lest we forget, Planned P'hood is in the public schools promoting their 'services' for this exact same reason ... but it promotes the culture of death! At the very least, CHRISTIAN schools ought promote the culture of Life for He is the supreme example of such a culture that He desires for us. Choose Life!

[cpforlife.org]

It is so simple. Why after 30 years and 42+ million dead is it hardly discussed!!??

[wardaddy]

Excellent homepage...how did I miss it for over a year....(slapping my head)