I was invited to publicly defend the pro-life position at Central Michigan University last Tuesday. I began by presenting a 25-minute case for the pro-life position. The first claim I defended was that the unborn is a distinct, living, and whole human being from the moment of conception. The second claim was that abortion is discrimination: it disqualifies a group of human beings (the unborn) from being valuable because of an arbitrary quality or characteristic.
Then, the audience was invited to debate me. One by one they offered their challenges. This lasted for about an hour. I anticipated most of the arguments and was able to refute the defenses for abortion. It was a good event. In the end, there was no challenge that threatened the pro-life view. It was fairly easy to answer the questions thanks to the abundant amount of scientific and philosophical support the pro-life view enjoys.
When I do an event like this, there’s a method to how I organize all the objections that are offered. I call it the “pro-life two-step.” It helps me categorize every objection in my mind so I know how to respond appropriately. The vast majority of objections against the pro-life view come in one of two forms. They either assume the unborn is not a human being. Or, they disqualify the unborn from being a valuable human being based on an arbitrary quality or characteristic. When I hear a defense for abortion, I figure out which category it falls in. Then, I can show them the misstep by appealing to one of the two claims I defended in my opening remarks.
This is the type of engagement that would be very valuable to hear/see. Is there a way to make recordings of these types of events available?
Posted by: Robert Casteline | November 10, 2009 at 08:30 AM
If only more people could be exposed to this kind of material...
Was this event recorded?
How come Greg's commentary video called Abortion Nonsense in Politics isn't in the Youtube videos anymore?
It presents Obama's abortion stance quite well.
Posted by: Gabriel | November 10, 2009 at 08:35 AM
I like the slide. Very beautiful.
Posted by: Drew Hymer | November 10, 2009 at 09:40 AM
"From the moment of conception"
Clap trap.
RonH
Posted by: RonH | November 11, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Nice work, Alan
Posted by: Francis Beckwith | November 15, 2009 at 08:49 PM
>> The unborn meets the biological criteria for life.
lol. Can I ask whos "biological criteria" you are using? Can I use mine?
Posted by: adsf | November 15, 2009 at 10:56 PM
"In the end, there was no challenge that threatened the pro-life view."
Lol.
Well, duh.
I mean you're SO smart.
And humble.
Plus pro-abortion people are stupid-heads.
Posted by: John | November 16, 2009 at 12:49 AM
RonH,
"Moment of conception" = claptrap?
...then how might you refer to this? Do you dislike the word "moment"... Or the word "conception?" Is something inaccurate here?
How 'bout "from the moment the second pink line shows up on the EPT?"
(Of course, this isn't biologically early enough, but I'd like to know what you'd sub in place of the "objectionable phrase"...if you're inclined.)
adsf,
>>"Can I ask whose "biological criteria" you are using? Can I use mine?
If you (are in such a state of mind as to) have to ask the first question, you are (for the safety of all those within arms reach of you) restricted from ever doing the second.
As for John...
...failing at even setting up a decent run-of-the mill ad hominem.
Result: drivel.
Posted by: David Hawkins | November 17, 2009 at 09:32 AM