Lauren Enriquez, Human Coalition’s Public Relations Manager, is a fantastic thinker, writer, and defender of preborn children, their moms, and their families.
On Monday, the New York Times published one of Lauren’s op-eds entitled “How the New Feminist Resistance Leaves Out American Women.” Kudos to Lauren for being published in the Times, and kudos to the Times for publishing a piece that runs counter to its typical philosophy.
I encourage you to take a moment to read Lauren’s piece. In it, she rejects hyper-feminism, declaring that their infatuation with promoting abortion is directly opposed to the genuine empowerment of women. She maintains that a fanatical movement hell bent on providing unrestricted abortions doesn’t properly represent the majority of women in the U.S.
As you might imagine, the comments she received on Twitter (@LNEnriquez) and Facebook were quite… colorful. And Human Coalition has been fielding angry, vitriolic emails ever since the article went live. Here are just a few examples:
“Yes, thank you for illustrating how self-loathing women can be the enemy of progress too. Mind your own vaginas.”
“Your NYT piece is a disgrace. The #prochoice movement respects women’s right [to] choose birth. Some of us will always choose abortion.”
“YOU are a liar, pure and simple; and as a medical professional, you should and will one day be ashamed of yourself. Hope you enjoy the coin you make from self-righteously and fraudulently selling out women, pretending you have any authority on this subject other than a sick desire to feel falsely “heroic” like only cowards attempt, and blatantly trying to misrepresent voices that are already having such a hard time being heard. SHAME on you. You are a disgrace.”
When we in the life-affirming community receive such negative feedback, it presents a fabulous opportunity for us to provide an informed, winsome, and candid response. Remember, there is nothing truthful, morally accurate, or scientifically supportable about abortion. The entire enterprise is built on lies, driven by emotion, and supported by nothing but air and pomposity. Every single negative comment Human Coalition has received that pushes abortion rights is fabricated on nonsense and easily debunked.
As I’ve reviewed the litany of responses Lauren received, a few themes popped out at me. You probably deal with these all the time in your conversations about abortion. I hope my responses will arm you to properly engage in the abortion debate and, hopefully, win some converts.
The term “pro-choice” was invented in the 1970s by some pro-abortion men who were trying to figure out how to market abortion more effectively. Click To TweetJust remember – there are no winning abortion arguments. The truth is always, always on your side.
- “There is no such thing as ‘pro-abortion.’ I’m pro-choice. I don’t like abortion, but I believe every woman should have the right to choose abortion if they wish.”
Hogwash. To be pro-choice is to be pro-abortion. The term “pro-choice” was invented in the 1970s by some pro-abortion men who were trying to figure out how to market abortion more effectively. They were extraordinarily successful in their efforts.
Someone who makes this claim is just riding the fence and unable to muster the necessary courage to firmly plant themselves in the pro-abortion camp. They don’t want to be seen as mean or nasty, so they hide their abortion advocacy behind what they think is women’s empowerment.
Here’s how nonsensical this argument is. Let’s say you were “pro-college.” In other words, you were in favor of people having the option to go to college if they wished, but you were also fine if people decided not to go to college. No one would have any issue with you – in fact, you’d be seen as fair-minded and sober.
Now, let’s say you were “pro-rape.” In other words, you were in favor of people having the option to rape someone if they wished, but you were also fine if people decided not to rape anyone. You personally wouldn’t dream of raping anyone, but you couldn’t find it within yourself to force your moral or religious beliefs about rape on anyone else.
Your friends and family would think you were nuts. But what is the difference between being pro-college and being pro-rape? Both positions give the freedom for people to make their own choices and live out their desires – free from moral or religious obligation.
The answer is, of course, that one choice has no moral consequence, while the other is a moral evil. Choosing whether to go or not go to college has no moral weight. Choosing to rape someone is evil.
This is the genius of the “pro-choice” marketing scheme (and why Human Coalition does not use the term). It effectively removes the abortion argument from the realm of right and wrong, and places it in the context of supposed women’s rights.
The abortion holocaust has nothing to do with choice. But it has everything to do with right and wrong. If you support the choice to fatally discriminate against an entire class of human beings simply because they are inconvenient, smaller than you, less developed, or not financially feasible, then you are not pro-choice. You are pro-abortion. Stop hiding behind the marketing fluff and be honest with yourself. You support the greatest discrimination of human beings in the history of the world. That may sound monstrous to you – and that’s because it is.
The abortion holocaust has nothing to do with choice. But it has everything to do with right and wrong. Click To Tweet- “Do you support universal healthcare? Are you going to adopt these babies? Aren’t you part of the conspiracy to cut social welfare programs? You pro-lifers are hypocritical – only caring about the baby and leaving the woman to her own devices.”
This pro-abortion argument has about a thousand variations, all of which are intended to intimidate. And they have nothing to do with the morality of abortion.
Let’s say a mother of a 2-year-old falls on hard times. She loses her job, her boyfriend walks out, and she has no healthcare. Should we give her the legal right to kill her toddler in order to relieve her stress and tension, and improve her financial situation? If not, why not?
Most Americans would say that such a suggestion is immoral and awful, and they’d be right. So… what’s the difference between killing a 2-year-old and killing a baby in the womb?
Nothing. There is no scientific, moral, philosophical, or biblical reason to say we should protect and provide for one class of children (toddlers) but kill at will another class of children (preborn).
This abortion argument is an attempt to deflect and shame. It deflects from the key argument (who are the preborn and why should it be legal to kill them), and it shames unprepared pro-lifers into silence (you don’t support universal healthcare, you don’t adopt, etc.).
Whether or not we adopt, support big or small government, or volunteer at a soup kitchen or a pet care facility has absolutely nothing to do with the morality of abortion. Should we be very concerned about those things and work to care for the weak, vulnerable, oppressed, and downtrodden? Absolutely, yes. Does our participation or nonparticipation in those activities impact the morality of abortion? Not one bit.
The underlying premise is rather insidious, and most people who espouse this argument haven’t thought it through. The point is this: if you don’t agree with my political or community views, then your position on the value of human life is invalid.
Friends, the value of human life has nothing to do with our opinion about it.
- “You don’t have the right to force your beliefs on others! Keep your religious mumbo jumbo to yourself. You can’t legislate my morality.”
Yawn. This argument is over 40 years old. And it is so trite and mindless that it’s almost not worth addressing. However, this nonsensical argument persists in various forms, so here goes.
Why do we have speed limits? We have speed limits so people will drive responsibly and not kill other people.
Do speed limits infringe on my personal autonomy? Yes.
Do speed limits limit my choices? Yes.
Do speed limits legislate my behavior? Yes.
Why is theft illegal? Because the state is supposed to help protect our personal property.
Do laws against theft infringe on my personal autonomy? Yes.
Do they limit my choices? Yes
Do they legislate my morality? Yes.
The primary purpose of law is to legislate our morality. We have laws to protect us because we are sinners who otherwise would hurt ourselves and other people. If there are no consequences for illegal behavior, then society falls into anarchy and eventually falls apart. Laws exist, in some fashion, to force us into morally acceptable behavior for the betterment of society.
That Western law is heavily derived from biblical principles is irrefutable fact and something we should not apologize for. The Bible is the greatest book ever written – something the Founding Fathers (even the deists) acknowledged and espoused as they crafted our government.
We are a nation founded on the principle that God gave us certain inalienable rights, and the government is in place to protect those rights.
The current abortion legislation in our nation is the greatest moral breach, destruction of freedom, and genocidal holocaust; and it’s the worst example of social injustice in the history of our country. Click To TweetI realize many people don’t agree that American law and government were formed on biblical principles. They are wrong.
I realize many Americans think the slaughter of millions of preborn children and the destruction of their mothers is an empowering right and an expression of freedom. They are wrong.
“You can’t legislate my morality!” Of course our morality is legislated. And the current abortion legislation in our nation is the greatest moral breach, destruction of freedom, and genocidal holocaust; and it’s the worst example of social injustice in the history of our country.
Congrats again to Lauren on her excellent article. Keep up the great work and keep speaking up for women all across the country who are genuinely concerned about the quality of women’s lives – including those not yet born.
Hi everyone! Abort abortion!
I read Lauen’s article from the NYT, reprinted in Christian News. Bravo, bravo! I have never in my life read a narrative that so typified me as a woman who has resisted the feminist movement for all of my adult life. It drew me to the Human Coalition website, having… Read more »
Thanks Karen. Lauren is a rockstar thinker and writer, and we were all thrilled the NYT carried her piece.
Abortion is murder of a child that will never have a chance to see a beautiful sunrise or hear the birds singing in the morning,or watch a tide come in softly on the shore or fall in love or a chance to tell there parent or parents how they love… Read more »
Thank you for exerting thought, courage, energy, faith, and power into your article. I’m (helplessly?) surrounded by people who walk around very angry at anyone who would prohibit women from “getting the abortion they need.” It’s great that an intellectual like you takes such a stand.
Well argued! Calling an elephant a dog will never make it so. Kudos to both of you for calling abortion what it is- murderous evil. God bless you for standing, and strengthen you to continue in the fight.
Thank you for having the intestinal fortitude to challenge the meme of Planned Parenthood and its ilk. There is plenty of evidence for both the unethical behavior of Planned Parenthood toward the women they ‘serve’, and the abuse of taxpayer funds. So what is there to like about Planned Parenthood?… Read more »
Kudos to Lauren for having a strong voice for the preborn and unborn! I wonder how the pro abortion population feels about the Asian culture where the government decided to kill off only female babies leaving no choice for Mother’s and an overpopulation of nearly 3 million. Asian men. This… Read more »
It is funny (well, not that funny) the efforts these «pro-choice» make all over the world to rename concepts so its real meaning is hidden to disguise the real brutality of the simple elimination of an obstacle that conditions the new deity in our Western societies: our sacred own will.… Read more »
Thank you Lauren for your article about women and abortion. I have never understood how any woman can kill her child whether preborn or after. God created woman to give children life not take it. And I believe most women would say the same.
Lauren, thank you for using your God given talent to articulate our pro-life stance. You are unafraid an courageous just the Bible commands us all to be. So, …do not grow weary in doing good”. You have set a high bar for the rest of us! We pray for you… Read more »
Brian! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this, and for your emails! I’m physically limited in what I’m able to do as far as marches and protests go, but God has blessed me with some pretty good writing talent, and I have quite a lot of Facebook friends who… Read more »
Awesome, Valerie, glad it was a help to you!
What a truth-filled article! Praying that many will read & have their eyes opened and hearts softened. Keep telling the truth! I am behind you 100%. Thank you for your willingness to let God use you!
That’s probably the best article defending laws against abortion that I’ve read. Thank you for posting this blog in support of life for the unborn and for all you to to keep this basic right in front of legislators and also for informing us. I haven’t read Lauren’s article, but… Read more »
Thanks Dorothy, so glad it was an encouragement to you!
Lauren, thank you. You speak for so many of us but more importantly, you speak for the unborn who cannot. God Bless you and keep you teaching and converting by the thousands.
Thank you so much Brian and Lauren for speaking so unashamedly and so boldly as a voice for the voiceless!!!! You guys are so awesome and it is so encouraging to fight alongside you two in this fight to protect the most discriminated and misunderstood class of human beings: the… Read more »
You couldn’t be more right. I always told people abortion was an industry and using ”women’s rights” to support it. In elementary school in the sixties I wondered how Hitler got a whole nation to follow him in something so immoral. Now I know, they say it’s YOUR RIGHT.
You will surely be interested in this article, which includes a new argument against rape abortion:
Feminism 4.0 or XX?
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/long-march-feminism-f-nazar-gmail-com
I have never understood how anyone (including Supreme Court Judges) could possibly think that what is in the womb is just a “blob of tissue”. Do they believe that by some miracle this turns into a baby at birth? Of course they know that abortion is killing a human being.… Read more »
I don’t think most people believe that any more. They just simply believe that life in the womb is worth less (or worthless).
Abortion DOES NOT empower women. Instead it leaves them scarred with guilt for life because they know deep inside their hearts that abortion is murder. And worse, murdering one’s own flesh and blood.
Keep up the good work. God loves you and you certainly are doing the right thing. I know it’s not easy but the Holy Spirit will give you the right things to day. God bless you!
People with twisted minds can never understand Lauren’s views. It is no use arguing with them. We need to pray that their minds will be open one day.
I am completely against abortion. Children are a GIFT FROM GOD. If you don’t want them then protect yourself from becoming pregnant. I feel bad for those who are raped but if you don’t put yourself in the wrong places with the wrong people then that would eliminate some of… Read more »
Sexual permisiveness, the primary cause of pregnancy/abortion, has led to the downfall of ‘family’ as we know it. With sex being so freely available, one chooses to no longer commit or ends up committing to the wrong kind, leaving behind those who chastely continue to cling to old-fashioned values, even… Read more »
Wonderful argument against this insanity of killing our children. It’s a great sin that has infected our world. Prayer for the end of abortion and for those who are on this battlefield each day. God bless you and protect you
I volunteer at a pregnancy center that regularly had protesters. One day one of the protesters came in as a client that I saw. I’m happy to report that we believe she changed her heart when we loved on her and spoke the truth. She’d already had one abortion and… Read more »
Great story Michelle. Keep up the fantastic work!
Thank you for being the voice of American citizens who know the value of each human life and know also the deep dark hole our society continues to dig for itself.
Wonderful, well crafted article. Thank you so much. I will save this article to refer to when arguing my pro-life stance with others. So much truth in these words of yours!
Blessings,
-Kristi
Thanks! Let me know how those conversations with abortion advocates go.
Thank you for both helpful articles: yours and Lauren’s. There is so much push-back in my family and at my work that articles like this are a most welcome consolation. I retweeted several of the tweets you conveniently set up as I read your article.
Thanks Cathy. Let us know how else we might help. Remember – there is no truthful argument for abortion. Truth is always on our side.
I am and have always been anti abortion. If a woman is raped she should give the child a right to live. There are many adoption agencies
And/or she may change her mind. Life is the most precious gift God has given us. ABORTION IS MURDER!!
The decision to be an independent woman/feminist who makes her own choices starts PRIOR to having sex in the first place. It’s called birth control. BIRTH CONTROL. Get it? Thinking about your actions before you do things and delaying pleasure when necessary is what shows you are an adult. Killing… Read more »
Thanks so much for standing up for all women Lauren! In our prayers, all women will someday be cognizant enough to be pro-woman pro-life.
Leaving our prayers in the hands of the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Marie Gaffney
I used to think that the argument that we do not own our own bodies was a good one, but I applaud how the simplicity of Lauren Enriquez’s clear thinking is more balanced and beautiful, more forceful and valid. But, how does one move oneself from clear, logical and trap-slamming… Read more »
Congratulations on such a fine article. It takes courage to face the evil of abortion. Continue your fight with confidence knowing that Christ is at your side. It is inconceivable to me that these pro-choice advocates are advocating for and perpetuating the worst mass murder of innocent human beings since… Read more »
Brian,
May God continue to bless you and Lauren with the wisdom and strength to clearly articulate and speak up in defense of man’s inaliable right to life.
I would not be here if my grandmother had aborted my dad. She was a young girl who came from Norway to start a new life in America. Even though she gave him up for adoption, she choose life. Keep up the good work!!! As a Christian I know the… Read more »
We are so glad your grandmother chose life, too!
Dear Lauren,
Thank you for holding up God’s standard of Truth, for protecting the unborn and for clarifying what it means to be a woman.
We thank you and Bless you in our Savior’s Name.
Sincerely,
Linda Perrey
2500 years ago, Isaiah wrote, “Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter”. Thank you for taking a stand, incurring the wrath of unrighteousness indignation. John 8:44: You belong to… Read more »
Thank you, Lauren, for having the courage to publically take a stand against the notion of abortion on demand. I know you received a lot of flack back because of your position and the pressure, I can assure you, will continue, unrelentingly, to either reversa your self ,or, to keep… Read more »
Women are LIFE GIVERS but so-called feminists have “chosen” to LOWER themselves,to be “Equal” with mere men!…
Hillary’s newest shtick is…”Females are the future”…,No,..not if you keep killing them.
Fantastic, Trisha. “Women are the future.. No….not if you keep killing them.”
I’d like to borrow that to quote and tweet. If that’s ok with you.
There are many, many types of Birth Control and Prevention re: the morning after pill. Have your tubes tied and reverse It later, so many ways not to get pregnant.
Women just need to admit they are using abortion as LAZY birth control.
A prevailing false assumption is that a private act of murder can remain private and does no harm to anyone else. Strange bit of “reasoning.” When such private little murders become normative… as organizations like Planned Parenthood would have it … we are all significantly diminished. When all taxpayers have… Read more »
Thank you, Brian and Lauren. And, as I argue when this issue comes up, the ‘right’ to abortion, based on the argument that a woman, and ONLY a woman, has a right to control her own body, even if that means murdering her child, reduces that unborn child to the… Read more »
If women’s “rights” are to be so “protected, what about the baby girl in the womb? Doesn’t she have rights? Now, before the pro “choicers ” decide that the female baby in the womb is not yet a person, why do they sell “person” parts? These people are pathetic in… Read more »
Lauren, Excellent article! Thank you for speaking / writing the truth. Here are five trustworthy sayings that you might find interesting. • When we lift up the Word of God, God’s Word lifts us up. • The Word of God is for everyone; sadly, not everyone will accept His Word.… Read more »
Keep up the good work. Too bad more people out there didn’t share the same views.
I applaud your eloquency. You properly defended the argumenus put forth by the pro-abortion crowd. I’ve had the same arguments laid at my feet. I trample on them til they’re as flat as a frisby & throw it right back to them.
Thanks for taking the time to reach out.
LOL – flat as a frisbee. I love that.
I want the ‘pro choice women to know and to know without doubt,They do not,They never have,and they never will speak for me.I so agree that there is no difference between killing a toddler and a preborn. Size can never be used to determine the worth of a person.
There are millions of couples that are unable to have children, adoption is the only moral choice when a woman does not want a child, as she certainly did not use any moral decency before she had sex with a man. We are not talking about raped or women victimized… Read more »
I thought the article was thoughtful, reasonable, educating and in alignment with the way I feel, but was unable to articulate myself. This article illuminated my own fight against abortion and the stance that I can actually talk about or even argue (if I have to). I concur with everything… Read more »
Lauren, thank you so much for eloquently and intelligently expressing the view of the prolife movement. May God greatly bless your efforts.