It is unlikely that the statement will be made by the attendees of the overflow crowds that attended workshops, general sessions, and a prayer breakfast at last week’s annual National Right to Life convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The three-day event constituted the annual gathering of the pro-life community in the United States, sponsored by the National Right to Life Committee. It was a reassuringly familiar experience for many attendees.
The event attracted attendees from every state in the United States, in addition to individuals hailing from Canada and Australia.
The convention was a working event comprising 64 different workshops that addressed a comprehensive range of pro-life issues. The programme comprised five general sessions, a prayer breakfast, and a closing banquet. The opening general session of NRLC 44 addressed the allegation that those who oppose abortion are engaged in a “war” against women. The conflict is, in fact, a war on facts about the humanity of the unborn and on the truth about the effects of abortion on women. The conflict is not being initiated by pro-life advocates, but rather by those who are pro-abortion.
The issue of the War on Women was also addressed in a general session by Carol Tobias, President of the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC). Noting that abortion is the least regulated medical procedure, she inquired as to why abortion defenders oppose the implementation of informed consent for women seeking an abortion. If, as they argue, abortion is a matter between a woman and her doctor, why do they promote webcam abortions, which involve a doctor who never personally examines or even meets with the woman and, indeed, is simply on a TV screen and often in another state?
Those who advocate for abortion rights have consistently opposed parental involvement for teenagers and a requirement that abortionists have hospital privileges close to the abortion clinic in the event that the woman experiences complications from the procedure. This raises the question of whether those who support abortion rights truly care about the well-being of women. Furthermore, if they genuinely care about women, why do they oppose crisis pregnancy centres and attempt to close them down? It is therefore necessary to identify the party responsible for what can be described as a war on women.
The topic of end-of-life issues was once again a significant focus of attention during the year under review, with a heightened level of interest evident. Among the numerous workshops held on the growing concern for individuals at the other end of the life spectrum were “Doctor-Prescribed Suicide,” “Denial of Treatment Against Your Will,” and “Medicine’s Intentional Killing Through Dehydration.” The criteria that have been used to justify the elimination of 56 million unborn children are now being used on those already born when they become unwanted, dependent, “nonproductive,” and economically costly.
Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered a speech at the prayer breakfast, stated, “Previously, I had discussed the manner in which we were treating our elderly population.” At the age of 64, she expressed considerable concern.
The workshop programme also included a number of other topics, such as lobbying, strategies for overcoming apathy in churches, fundraising to build chapters, Planned Parenthood, legislative and political strategy, school-based health clinics, and numerous other sessions of interest and value.
Other speakers at the general sessions included Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, a proponent of pro-life policies, who addressed the topic “Challenging the Nation to Respect Life” alongside other distinguished individuals. Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, a New Jersey breast cancer surgeon who was named 2013 “Top Doc” for Women’s Health in Breast Surgery, presented a discourse on the purported link between abortion and breast cancer. Another general session, entitled “Bioethics War on Humans,” featured Wesley J. Smith, an internationally renowned lawyer, author, and bioethicist.
Among the positive developments is the fact that… The 2018 NRLC convention in Dallas was attended by a considerable number of individuals. However, a greater number of individuals were convened at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.
The number of young people participating in each convention continues to grow. This is indeed encouraging news. Indeed, the proportion of young people and middle-aged individuals in attendance greatly exceeded that of those of us with white hair or no hair.
The New Testament contains eight references to the words of Jesus, in which he states that there are two great commandments. Firstly, it is incumbent upon us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Secondly, we are to love our neighbour as ourselves. The bond between mother and child is arguably the most intimate and profound relationship that can be experienced. This is particularly evident when the child is carried in the mother’s womb.
The 2015 National Right to Life Convention will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of July. If you are interested in fostering a culture of life, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and assisting women in finding life-affirming solutions to their pregnancy-related challenges, then, as the saying goes in the American South, “Y’all come!”
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
