Behavior at abortion clinic

[kalt]

Today I was at a yard sale next door to an abortion clinic. I saw 2 older guys (50’s?) peeking over a high stockade fence, yelling at a woman who was going in.

I couldn’t beleive my ears. Apparently these guys are Christians, because they were yelling stuff about God’s loving her so much that he sent His so to die for her.

Well, before they told her that, they screamed (!), “Don’t do it! Are you a loser?! Only losers go in there! Don’t be a loser!”

After that they added to stuff about God’s loving her.

Yeah, that approach is Christian. That’s an approach that will turn a scared pregnant woman around.

Don’t these clowns realize that it’s that kind of attack that will send the girls to the more comforting and kinder-feeling arms of the people inside the clinic?

What is wrong with people anyway, that they feel the right to attack someone like that? Let me tell you that they were not nice at all. If they were really on her side, you could never have convinced her.

I had nothing to do with the scene, and I wanted to go over there and give them a piece of my mind.

I don’t know what will stop a person from having an abortion once they’re heading in to get it, but I know that screaming strangers peeking over a fence, who are calling a pregnant woman a loser, isn’t likely to stop anyone.

They also had signs that said that 60-something babies were killed there last week. How do they get that information?

I agree with fighting to end abortion. But I don’t agree with the tactic I witnessed today.

What do you think? Were the men justified?

 

[Exalt]

What do you think? Were the men justified?

Personally, I would have called the police.

 

[teachccd]

They let their fervency overtake their rationality. That approach will most likely never work. It will advance these women into the clinic sooner as you stated. Usually an ultrasound with some counseling can deter women from committing this heinous act. There are ways but what you described is futile. I must say that when I was at the doctor’s office and overheard a phone call between the receptionist and a potential woman awaiting an abortion, I wanted to scream out something. Needless to say, my blood pressure measured high when I got in there.

It could be worse. We’ve seen those who kill abortionists. Imagine that logic. Kill a human so that a human won’t be killed. Self defense for the unborn perhaps?? No…there are better ways and we must utilize those ways to stop this horrendous crime against the most innocent…God Bless…teachccd

 

[kage_ar]

I’m shocked that there is an abortion clinic in a residential neighborhood! Those poor people, to live there.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I used to go protest at a abortion clinic that was near a university that I went to.
Our personal approach was the “favored” protest by the clinic staff because we didn’t harrass them or the ladies going in. And we were told by a staff member that we were far more effective swaying ladies going in than other protesters.

What was our approach you ask?
We would sit about 10-15 feet from the entrance and pray the Rosary out loud in a group or we would sing some P&W songs. If the ladies stopped and talked to us, we talked back. Otherwise, we just added them to our list of petitions. More than once I remember seeing ladies walk in and walk out about 10 minutes later, thanking us for our presence that made them rethink their decision. We carried numbers for a good crisis pregnancy center that we would give them, along with the location of a 240hour adoration chapel.

 

[FlatAffect]

I think your attitude towards the men in misguided. The men may have been acting non-Christian from your standpoint, but at least they were not about to commit a murder as the young woman was. I can’t believe you would call anyone a “clown” for trying to stop an abortion. Not all woman who get abortions are “scared” either. There is something wrong with this picture when someone has more sympathy for someone who is about to have an abortion than for someone who is trying to stop it. Maybe the men were scared–scared that they were unable to stop the loss of a human life. Maybe they didn’t know any other approach to take. Maybe the woman wasn’t scared–maybe she just saw the baby as an intrusion to her life that had to be done away with.
Yes, the situation could have been handled better. But 99% of the time you are NOT going to get someone to turn away from an abortion clinic.

 

[DebChris]

I used to go protest at a abortion clinic that was near a university that I went to.
Our personal approach was the “favored” protest by the clinic staff because we didn’t harrass them or the ladies going in. And we were told by a staff member that we were far more effective swaying ladies going in than other protesters.

What was our approach you ask?
We would sit about 10-15 feet from the entrance and pray the Rosary out loud in a group or we would sing some P&W songs. If the ladies stopped and talked to us, we talked back. Otherwise, we just added them to our list of petitions. More than once I remember seeing ladies walk in and walk out about 10 minutes later, thanking us for our presence that made them rethink their decision. We carried numbers for a good crisis pregnancy center that we would give them, along with the location of a 240hour adoration chapel.

This is the more loving method. My brother used to live across the street from an abortion center. He daily heard the name calling. One day a woman came to his apartment with her daughter. She asked my sister-in-law to babysit while she took her daughter across the street. All my sister-in-las said was, “I wish you wouldn’t.” That was enough to save the unborn child. My sister-in-law’s history gave her special authority. My brother had adopted her daughter when they married.

 

[Penitus]

Yeah, I know of an elderly couple who protest at an abortion clinic as a couple. They’re Catholic and have been ministering in this manner for over 15 years now.

The problem is their method. When girls get out of their cars they scream “Please don’t kill your baby.”

Then at a different clinic in a different state, there’s a gentleman who carries a large sign that says that an increase in abortion was caused by Vatican II. He isn’t there to witness to the women there for an abortion…he’s there to witness to people witnessing. It’s a challenge to not punch him in the face.

 

[Newbie2]

I think your attitude towards the men in misguided. The men may have been acting non-Christian from your standpoint, but at least they were not about to commit a murder as the young woman was. I can’t believe you would call anyone a “clown” for trying to stop an abortion. Not all woman who get abortions are “scared” either. There is something wrong with this picture when someone has more sympathy for someone who is about to have an abortion than for someone who is trying to stop it. Maybe the men were scared–scared that they were unable to stop the loss of a human life. Maybe they didn’t know any other approach to take. Maybe the woman wasn’t scared–maybe she just saw the baby as an intrusion to her life that had to be done away with.
Yes, the situation could have been handled better. But 99% of the time you are NOT going to get someone to turn away from an abortion clinic.

I think that was the OPs point; maybe that woman would be in that 1% if the situation had been “handled better”.

Interesting point you bring up about sympathy. Do you feel we should have no or little sympathy for those women who have an abortion?

That would seem to be a most uncharitable attitude. Hate the sin, love the sinner. I get your point, though, if you meant “concern for” rather than “sympathy”.

 

[beckycmarie]

Would you have been so offended if these men had been standing at the gates of Auschwitz yelling for the Nazis not to kill the Jews? I don’t think so.

 

[DebChris]

Would you have been so offended if these men had been standing at the gates of Auschwitz yelling for the Nazis not to kill the Jews? I don’t think so.

Anybody standing at the gates of Auschwitz would have been shot.
The reality is that many of these women have found themselves in a situation that they never expected. They are scared and are unaware of other alternatives.
Perhaps a boyfriend said, “Get rid of it or I’ll leave you!”
There is often pressure from outside sources.
Very often the woman is a victim. Adding verbal abuse to the psychological abuse they have already undergone does nothing but harm these women It also undermines the message that we want to sent about the dignity and sanctity of life.

 

[FlatAffect]

The reality is that many of these women have found themselves in a situation that they never expected. They are scared and are unaware of other alternatives.
Perhaps a boyfriend said, “Get rid of it or I’ll leave you!”
There is often pressure from outside sources.
Very often the woman is a victim. Adding verbal abuse to the psychological abuse they have already undergone does nothing but harm these women

I don’t think you should portray woman going into abortion clinics as victims. It may be easier for you to stomach it that way but they know what they are doing and the vast majority of them know the alternatives.

Even if a woman is being victimized by her boyfriend, that doesn’t give her the right to victimize someone else. Why are you making excuses for woman having abortions solely because they are woman? You could take it a step further and say the men–they are under so much pressure–they will end up broke if they have to pay child support.

 

[BlaineTog]

Even if a woman is being victimized by her boyfriend, that doesn’t give her the right to victimize someone else.

No one’s saying that. But the woman is in a pitiable position all the same.

Yeah, screaming at them is uncharitable and just plain stupid. You accomplish so very little that way. Fortunately, this kind of idiocy is rare: I know the president of the Pro-Life club at my college, and apparently she’s only seen this kind of thing once, maybe twice.

 

[Dameedna]

For a woman choosing an abortion, jumping over or leaning over a fence is laughable. Standing outside a clinic, is manipulative, and hardens the woman to what she is doing. You don’t know HER, you are just judging her and she know’s it. When you stand in judgment of her, she will rebel against you.

You don’t stop abortion by protesting and making women feel bad. Quite Frankly, you just irritate them, and make them less inclined to listen to you.

If you want to do that go ahead. Won’t make one Iota of difference. To them…you look like a fool and you won’t make a difference at all.

 

[Miserissima]

They let their fervency overtake their rationality.

Guess what? You hit the nail on the head with that one. Shock tactics aren’t working.

We, as Catholics must campaign for women to find alternate choices-- both abstinence (before sex) and and abortion (after sex). Even

Isn’t there something called the Rebecca Project *please, someone correct me). How about something like a St. Vincent de Paul society? Or even spreadng the rosary to YOUNG FOLKS – what did that used to be called – the solidarity club or something)?

These young adults need alternatives…and I can’t think of much. Does anyone remembe that “Ms. X is in seclusion” becausse she went to a home for unwed mothers? The stigma of being a single parent seems to have been (thankfully) has mostly been removed today.

I can only imagine Jesus who talks about casting the first stone. It takes kindness to win someone over, not epithets. The only way I can think of (and I welcome your ideas) of how to parents and young adults to act in this manner?

Is there a better way to hand out pamphlets and “adopt” one of these women into without stigma against the woman or adoptees? (Please, no discussion of Magdaline Asylums, etc.) Daily visits, daily prayer before the Eucharist? Bring one of these women into your lives, show them that someone cares about their welfare and the life of their child…bring them into one’s life with safety and trust. What do you suggest?

And when I saw a ralley, I firmly camped out at the trailer that said “Adoption is an option.”

I firmly beileve one thing - keep young youths busy and chaperoned. Show up at Mrs. Snuffy’s kids’ place with board games, DVDs, and Doritoes when there’s a basement party. Be a silent chaperone – be involed, no matter how rebellious the kids seem afterward. To heck with Mrs. Snuffy who lets them play “spin the bottle” alone.

From the age of, oh, say four on, teach children how their bodies and their actions are also witnesses for Christ. Start gaining your child’s trust in you, and respect for you as their parent.

Never, ever, let them stop going to Mass. Discuss the homily on the way home. Insist on modest clothing. And most of all, teach each them that their bodies aren’t just for pleasure, but are temples of the Holy Spirit and are to be treated as such.

Teach them to honor themselves – and others. no matter how they may resent you later. You are the parent, YOU are ultimately in charge.

In summation, try your best to stop abortions before they happen. And if a lady is even considering abortion, show her alternatives.

I don’t know where to find solidarity among Catholics - both men and women – without the extremists who do ruin it all.

P.S.: And or the love of God, give young ladies pepper spray!!!

 

[Pope_Gregory]

Yeah, I know of an elderly couple who protest at an abortion clinic as a couple. They’re Catholic and have been ministering in this manner for over 15 years now.

The problem is their method. When girls get out of their cars they scream “Please don’t kill your baby.”

Then at a different clinic in a different state, there’s a gentleman who carries a large sign that says that an increase in abortion was caused by Vatican II. He isn’t there to witness to the women there for an abortion…he’s there to witness to people witnessing. It’s a challenge to not punch him in the face.

I was wondering. Do you think Vatican II did increase the amount of Catholics having abortions?

 

[gam197]

Often at clinics there are only one to two persons outside. They may try to give literature or say something and I’d agree that maybe sometimes what is said doesn’t come across as it was meant.

But where are all the other people that should be outside praying? I think God is going to ask that question.

Received this from American Life League a few days ago. It took place at Planned Parenthood in Rhode Island.

Please share this with the sidewalk crew:

I just had dinner with a young man whom I had not seen in over a year. It seems that he and his girlfriend visited Planned Parenthood a few months back. He said they passed through the people on the sidewalk quietly protesting as they went into the clinic.

They sat in a room with about a dozen other young girls, mostly with their moms, he thought. He was the only guy there. She was handed a clip board, he was ignored.

She filled out the information requested then they sat without speaking for several minutes. As he looked around the room, no one spoke.
He said all he could think about were the people outside on the sidewalk. He turned to her and at the same time she looked at him. Without speaking, they both got up and walked out.

He said the people outside cheered for them as they headed to their car.
I will be baptizing their son in a couple of months. Thank you for all you do!

Fr. Codega

 

[kalt]

For a woman choosing an abortion, jumping over or leaning over a fence is laughable. Standing outside a clinic, is manipulative, and hardens the woman to what she is doing. You don’t know HER, you are just judging her and she know’s it. When you stand in judgment of her, she will rebel against you.

You don’t stop abortion by protesting and making women feel bad. Quite Frankly, you just irritate them, and make them less inclined to listen to you.

If you want to do that go ahead. Won’t make one Iota of difference. To them…you look like a fool and you won’t make a difference at all.

I’m sure that these women think these men are screaming nutcases. I’m pretty sure, too, that the women are afraid of people like that. Who wouldn’t be?! What kind of nut peeks over fences and screams at strangers?

But it’s more than that. The pro-lifers are trying to tell the women not to have an abortion because it really is a baby. They’re using Christ as an example of great love–God sent his only son to die for you, is what they told this woman. And this is how they treat a fellow human being? This woman is also someone’s child. If these boobs can’t love this “child” (child of a man and woman, a child of God) then who they heck are they to tell someone else about love?

And still more, because of their behavior, the police are on detail at the clinic every week. The old men were there trying to save a baby, but their behavior is so bad, that the police, the authority figures, are there to protect the person who is going in to kill her baby!!!

What kind of message do you think the police’s presence (to protect those getting an abortion) sends to a woman who lives in a society in which choice is considered a right by many, in which abortion is not only legal, but is sometimes considered the best choice?

Instead of looking like champions of the unborn, they look like nutcases (they are nutcases) who need to be watched by the police.

I think it’s a crying shame that people who are trying to save lives don’t have a clue what they’re doing. They’re not doing any good. In fact, they’re making things worse. Thanks for the “help”, but no thanks.

 

[Penitus]

I was wondering. Do you think Vatican II did increase the amount of Catholics having abortions?

No, because no council can cause anyone to have an abortion. That is a matter of free will.

 

[cecilia97]

This is the more loving method. My brother used to live across the street from an abortion center. He daily heard the name calling. One day a woman came to his apartment with her daughter. She asked my sister-in-law to babysit while she took her daughter across the street. All my sister-in-las said was, “I wish you wouldn’t.” That was enough to save the unborn child. My sister-in-law’s history gave her special authority. My brother had adopted her daughter when they married.

Wow…the Holy Spirit sent them to your brother’s door! That is wonderful.