Yesterday, Alan spoke about the power of graphic images to convey truth and affect behavior. The ancient Roman poet Horace said it well: "Less vividly is the mind stirred by what finds entrance through the ears than by what is brought before the trusty eyes...."
Should such images be used when we're arguing against abortion? I think yes, but care needs to be taken to make sure they're used appropriately.
This 12-minute video is an excellent example of how to do this. Scott Klusendorf warns the students what they'll see, compassionately assures them it's not for the purpose of condemnation, gives them hope for complete freedom from their guilt, shows the graphic images, and then justifies their use by giving an example of how a graphic image was profoundly effective in the past in communicating truth on the issue of human rights.
This video is worth bookmarking, passing on, and playing for others when you're explaining the truth about abortion to your family and friends.
(If you prefer to read rather than watch, here's a discussion of this approach at the Life Training Institute Blog.)
I watched that whole video on his site. I am stunned. I can't imagine how anyone could be for abortion after seeing the truth.
Posted by: Tony | November 18, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I've seen the video, but I've never seen Klusendorf's presentation of it.
I had never heard of Emmett Till, either.
Posted by: Jesse | November 19, 2011 at 04:57 PM
I remember hearing, long ago, about a student who got in trouble for bringing a picture of an abortion to school. It inspired the following lines, that I also wrote long ago:
Lookee here,
what's the prob
if this is just a picture of a tissue blob?
Opponents seem a little long winded
When they kick and scream
like the life that ended!
(The spirit of this is not to offend anyone but to provoke our thinking towards saving the innocent!)
Posted by: Jim | December 04, 2011 at 02:06 PM