Alberta bishops boycott March for Life over graphic images

[SeaShoreGirl]

By all means, let’s diminish the reality of the real-life horror. We wouldn’t want anyone to really have to visualize the truth or get too upset over this.

I am so disappointed in these bishops I could weep.

First, it is about preservaning the innocence of children/mentally deficent from the “real-life” horror.

Second, and MUCH more, it is about preserving the dignity of those PEOPLE whom protesters feel able to swing around. THEY are dehumanizing those babies, turning them into a device used for shock factor.

I’m not saying NEVER display…just not in public places…controlled environments ONLY.

 

[Rascalking]

SeaShoreGirl is totally on to something. I don’t want my 7 year old niece and 4 year old nephew shrieking in horror at disfigured babies on billboards.

If you portray these billboards, you give up your right to talk about violent rubbish on television.

Remember that “truth” doesn’t mean you can do what you darn well please, forget all decency, tact, and being polite. In fact, quite the opposite-because the pro-life side is correct, we have the duty and right to be held to a higher standard.

 

[jdnation]

This is a better solution. I agree with not plastering the images on billboards and signs to picket. But having that content is important. They can have an information booth or something set up in an area or tent for those who wish to go in and see it.

Additionally there can be graphic representations in paintings or simply drawn images on signs to get the point across.

 

[Not_Sure_1]

Children are shown graphic pictures of holocast in schools without parental warning or opt-out features, and that event happened and finished 60 years ago.

This genocide is happening now, and must be stopped now.

 

[Lujack]

Children should see it most of all. Their horror should sear their minds and sink in.

I’m not comfortable with the idea of “weaponizing” the dead unborn. There is something very casual about the way that people are saying they should be used.

 

[Tigg]

The Edmonton archbishop explains that the bishops made the decision in order not to give the impression to the public that they are associated with or approve of the images.

The images are real and the babies have been killed! This is what we do! Horrific sin abounds. Let’s face facts, but instead, they would sacrifice one of the largest means available to promote the anti-abortion message. Simply amazing!

 

[TMC]

The images are real and the babies have been killed! This is what we do! Horrific sin abounds. Let’s face facts, but instead, they would sacrifice one of the largest means available to promote the anti-abortion message. Simply amazing!

Would you fight against gay marriage by parading around with explicit pictures of people engaged in gay sex acts? If not, then why is it appropriate to parade pictures of dead babies?

Also exploiting these graphic images is not one of the best means availble to promote the pro-life message. It can get you press coverage (maybe), but I have seen no evidence that it changes minds.

 

[bellasbane]

Smith said the Alberta bishops are opposed to “the public display of large, graphic images of aborted babies” since they deem it “offends the dignity of the human beings pictured and so is at odds with our mission to promote and protect that dignity.”

Is it a sin to offend the dignity of another human being? How about being at odds with the Church’s mission?

All I can think is that both must please Satan quite a bit.

“Here, let me tempt you with a really effective means of promoting the anti-abortion message…”

 

[curlycool89]

Weak bishops, afraid to offend the murderers of the unborn. Jesus hangs on a crucifix in every Catholic Church. Some bishops need spine transplants.

I’m embarrassed by the leaders of the Catholic Church more and more each week.

That is absolutely false, completely uncalled for, and completely uncharitable.

I had the great privilege of going on a retreat lead by Archbishop Smith, and I can assure that he is nothing but orthodox. He is an excellent Bishop.

Things like GAP are not part of Catholic doctrine. You can agree with it or disagree with the method, and the Bishops in Alberta disagree with it. That does not make them any less orthodox. They are not denying that abortion is a sin or that the “fetus” is actually a living baby. Anyone who thinks that this makes bishops less orthodox does not understand the meaning of the word “orthodox”.

I support them in it because it simply doesn’t work. You’re not going to convert anyone with graphic images. A graphic image doesn’t inspire conversion; it invokes defence. It’s simply psychology. People feel attacked by these, and humans naturally go on the defensive when they feel attacked.

 

[Tigg]

Is it a sin to offend the dignity of another human being? How about being at odds with the Church’s mission?

All I can think is that both must please Satan quite a bit.

“Here, let me tempt you with a really effective means of promoting the anti-abortion message…”

Do you think maybe their “dignity” was quite offended while they were being aborted?

 

[Lujack]

Do you think maybe their “dignity” was quite offended while they were being aborted?

Indeed it was. Does not mean that they have no dignity any more and that their bodies can be waved around as a weapon?

We don’t show the dismembered and mangled bodies of soldiers at funerals; instead we show either the flag-draped coffin or an embalmer makes their bodies look whole again if possible. That is the proper way to treat a dead body.

 

[bellasbane]

Do you think maybe their “dignity” was quite offended while they were being aborted?

Do you think “two wrongs make a right”? What are you implying???

**We all agree about the horror of abortion! **

My post was about the most insidious of Satan’s ploys - Getting people to sin in the name of God. Satan isn’t just some goofy cartoon character in a red suit with a pitchfork and pointy tail. Evil is subtle, cunning and pervasive. It is not always easy to detect. That is why we need the Church and must pray constantly for good Priests and Bishops.

 

[bellasbane]

Indeed it was. Does not mean that they have no dignity any more and that their bodies can be waved around as a weapon?

We don’t show the dismembered and mangled bodies of soldiers at funerals; instead we show either the flag-draped coffin or an embalmer makes their bodies look whole again if possible. That is the proper way to treat a dead body.

Amen.

 

[Tigg]

Indeed it was. Does not mean that they have no dignity any more and that their bodies can be waved around as a weapon?

We don’t show the dismembered and mangled bodies of soldiers at funerals; instead we show either the flag-draped coffin or an embalmer makes their bodies look whole again if possible. That is the proper way to treat a dead body.

I concede the argument and will admit that some of the images are in very poor taste. I don’t like them either. My disappointment is elsewhere…that those who say they are truly anti-abortion, and you may include some of the actions of the bishops with that, have not proven they really support life.

 

[kimmielittle]

You have kids as young as 4 years old being subjected to such as homosexual acts in the name of “EDUCATION.”…Do you think the pro-abortionist will show us what really happens???

My signature says my thoughts

 

[kimmielittle]

That this information, just like pictures of holocoust tragedies, should be for mature adult populations ONLY.

Do you think that our elementary educational system students aren’t being taught pro-abortion ideas?

How many abortions are done to “mature adult populations ONLY”?

I suggest you grownups reach us with the truth about abortions BEFORE age ten…or you will lose us.

 

[kimmielittle]

I support them in it because it simply doesn’t work.

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can

You’re not going to convert anyone with graphic images.

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can

A graphic image doesn’t inspire conversion; it invokes defence.

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can It very well may… invoke defense and be offensive … BUT

Let me give you an example.

There is a famous horrific picture of a little naked girl running from a napalm attack in Vietnam. Her clothes had been burned off of her. It inspired conversion .http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=1281&pictureid=8712

PS It’s shown to elementary school kids - as you will remember.

 

[catharina]

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can It very well may… invoke defense and be offensive … BUT

Let me give you an example.

There is a famous horrific picture of a little naked girl running from a napalm attack in Vietnam. Her clothes had been burned off of her. It inspired conversion .http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=1281&pictureid=8712

PS It’s shown to elementary school kids - as you will remember.

kimmie - I’m so inspired that you decided to make use of this
picture of 9 yr-old Kim Phuc in 1972, as her agony began.

Thank you.

For others who don’t remember this incident from that time,
I’ll say that it changed the course of American sentiment that
tended to see war as an absolutely worthy “good.”

In line with that fact, I’ll add a link to the Kim Phuc Foundation.
Maybe others can educate themselves as to the power of graphic truth.

kimfoundation.com/modules/contentpage/index.php?file=intro.htm

 

[kimmielittle]

kimmie - I’m so inspired that you decided to make use of this
picture of 9 yr-old Kim Phuc in 1972, as her agony began.

Thank you.

For others who don’t remember this incident from that time,
I’ll say that it changed the course of American sentiment that
tended to see war as an absolutely worthy “good.”

In line with that fact, I’ll add a link to the Kim Phuc Foundation.
Maybe others can educate themselves as to the power of graphic truth.

kimfoundation.com/modules/contentpage/index.php?file=intro.htm

~huggers~ and Thank You

 

[curlycool89]

Please support this statement. I don’t believe you can

Actually, as the one arguing in favour of something, it is up to you to show evidence. You are the one who’s saying that these inspire conversion, so you have to prove it. That’s just ordinary rules of debate. That, and you obviously can’t prove a negative (duh).

There is a famous horrific picture of a little naked girl running from a napalm attack in Vietnam. Her clothes had been burned off of her. It inspired conversion .http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=1281&pictureid=8712

PS It’s shown to elementary school kids - as you will remember.

Actually, I’m from Canada. We mostly skim over Vietnam (nothing more than a footnote really in a unit on the Cold War).

And what do you mean by “conversion”? I’m guessing you mean people all the sudden thought “geez, napalm is bad”. The comparison doesn’t work. People will think “napalm is bad” because they see it affecting a real person. The problem is that most people don’t think a fetus is actually a person (when it’s just a baby in-utero), so it’s not going to work.

You’re not getting the problem. People know what happens in an abortion, all they need to do is think a tiny bit. You need to convince people that the baby is a human being.

The analogy that I’ve heard others use is animal rights groups who use pictures of tortured or maimed animals. They try to pull at the heart strings, but most people ignore them. If people don’t think a fetus is human, why would they then pay any more attention?

That’s the other problem. At least the animal ones at least try to pull at the heartstring (which, from a perspective of trying to manipulate people, works very good). The only emotion that people from GAP and the like try to express is shame. That’s not going to work on anyone who’s not already religious, and to be perfectly frank those are the people we need to convert most.

From a marketing perspective, it’s an absolute disaster. What would actually work a lot better is to just wholesale copy what groups like the ASPCA do. The message “You’re All Killers” isn’t going to work on a very large part (if any) of the population. Change the message to “Help Us Safe these Poor, Unwanted Babies”. It’s like what diCaprio’s character says in Inception: positive emotions are more powerful than negative emotions. People get a kick out of doing something they think is good (they’re called endorphins).