Peacefully offering life choices

When exactly did the word prolife become synonymous with pro-violence? Unfortunately, there are too many myths generated by the media and pro-abortion organizations about the prolife movement.

The media is consistent in perpetuating the idea that involvement in the prolife movement is peppered with acts of violence. Newspaper ads are placed by organizations such as the pro-abortion Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice that label prolife advocates as "domestic religious terrorists" and compares prolife people to Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. Nothing could be further from the truth. Prolife people understand the fundamental right to life. Any form of violence against human beings, runs counter to the life-saving work of the prolife movement.

News accounts rarely inform the public about the peaceful involvement of prolifers at abortion clinics around Michigan. Thankfully, there are numerous individuals who are involved in saving the lives of women and their babies outside of abortion clinics; they do so peacefully and with love.

Bill and Theresa Melnyk and Mary VerWys are a few members of Right to Life of Michigan who are actively and peacefully involved at abortion clinics around Michigan. Mary works with other women as a sidewalk counselor outside of abortion clinics. She makes sure that the women who enter the abortion clinic have materials that inform them about other options that they can take besides abortion.

Distributing pamphlets about fetal development and adoption are positive ways of offering life-affirming options to these women who are facing a crisis pregnancy. Mary explains that when these materials are offered with a kind voice, most of the abortion clients will take them into the building with them. Most of these women are unaware of the fact that they will have to wait for up to three hours for their appointment with the abortionist. This is time that allows them to pore over the information that they have received outside of the abortion center.

Mary also hopes that there will be girls who are willing to talk. She says that if they show any signs of ambivalence, the sidewalk counselors are able to successfully direct them to the nearest pregnancy center where they will receive the care that they need. Sometimes all it takes is someone to offer these women other options that are available to them. Mary remembers one woman who was later directed to a pregnancy center who came to the abortion clinic and was looking for a "stop sign" along the way–anything that would stop her from having an abortion. She found her "stop sign" in the sidewalk counselors posted outside of the clinics.

Bill and Theresa Melnyk work with large groups of individuals outside of abortion clinics. They are involved with prolife picketing that takes place on the sidewalks around the abortion clinics. The individuals involved will walk around with signs espousing the true dangers of abortion for women and their babies. They will stop picketing briefly for a time of prayer together as well. Bill says that this is a good thing to do because "many people are unaware that women's clinics perform abortions." The general public could drive past on their morning commute and not know that the building they pass daily kills babies.

The Melnyks also participates in prayer vigils at abortion clinics. At times, 170 to 250 individuals will gather outside of a given abortion clinic on the median across the street. They will gather peacefully and pray together in their group. Bill said that he has seen girls who have noticed them on the median and decided not to have abortions. He remembers one woman who saw them across the median and was driven to tears. She did not follow through with her abortion.

Mary explains that you don't need a degree in sociology or psychology to participate outside of abortion clinics. All that is necessary is a kind heart. If there is even one shred of doubt in the women who are about to enter the abortion clinic, then there is someone to help them and direct them to other resources. Mary says that she has literally seen "kindness turn the hard heart to tears." Essentially, whatever the outcome of their contact with the abortion clinic, they will remember the way they were treated outside of the abortion clinic as much as how they were treated inside. In the end, "Love wins the day."

 

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