Language and Abortion

[Prometheum_x]

If we want to win the culture war over abortion, we need to make sure that our values are expressed by the words we speak:

I catch myself saying all sorts of things that conflict with my beliefs about life and its beginnings. How often have I. . .

• referred to an unborn child as “it”?
• said (or heard), “She’s going to be a mother!” upon learning someone was pregnant?
• said or heard, “They’re expecting” upon learning someone was pregnant?

Instead -

• I need to refer to unborn children in such a way that I reaffirm their personhood.
• I need to say, “She is a mother!”
• I need to say, “They have a child.”

Now, my examples are limited in their scope. I’m sure there are acceptable ways of using each of those first three phrases (I can think of some already), but I think the point still stands.

Language is a very influential tool. We ought to use it to our advantage. Let’s have words of Life work their way into the expressions of our culture. Perhaps, by God’s grace, if we as a nation speak as if it is so, we will come to believe that it is so.

 

[thann]

You make excellent points – I never considered the connotation of saying, “She is going to be a mother.” I’ll measure my words more carefully now.

'thann

 

[caroljm36]

It occurred to me also that we should steal a term from the other side–“human rights.” They’ve been using that flog the U.S. for not taking care of everyone in the world, why can’t we use it to frame the anti-abortion cause? It’s not only true, it underscores the fact that the baby is a human baby.

It’s a “human rights” issue!

 

[benw98]

Some other tips:
Don’t Say Say
Pro-Choice- pro-abortion
clinic- abortion facility
anti-abortion- pro-life
Doctor- abortionist

 

[NateHarburg]

We MUST change our language to reflect REALITY!

Read the following chapter from the online book entitled “WHY CAN’T WE LOVE THEM BOTH” by Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Willke:

abortionfacts.com/online_books/love_them_both/why_cant_we_love_them_both_38.asp