Pro-Life Banquet Draws 260
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
An energized gathering of pro-life supporters in Kosciusko County was encouraged to use a gentler, kinder approach in discussing the ongoing debate over abortion.
Dr. John Willke, who served as president of the National Right To Life organization during the 1980s, is advocating a new strategy that will be implemented by Kosciusko County Right To Life. The group held a rousing first banquet Thursday that attracted about 250 people at Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake.
Willke told supporters that many people outside the pro-life movement view anti-abortionists as "single-minded fetus lovers who are not compassionate to women."
But much of the movement is concentrating on helping the mother through crisis pregnancy counseling and assistance in battling the effects of post abortion syndrome.
"We stand with her. Not against her. We want to help in any way possible," Willke said.
"You won't convert them by calling them murderers," Willke said earlier in an address to Grace College students. He also spoke to students at Lakeland Christian Academy.
Presentations by Willke and his wife include more emphasis on fetal development and support for women.
In the 1970s, people supporting pro-choice focused on when life begins. Now, it's more a matter of choice.
"They have changed the question and we must roll with it," Willke said, urging people to avoid using the phrase pro-choice. When people argue that it's a woman's right to choose, Willke said they should respond by invoking his phrase, "Why can't we love them both?"
"Is the right to choose the central question? The first and only one? No," Willke said.
"In judging every morally laden human action, our first question is, 'Is the action permissible?'" he said.
Kosciusko County Right to Life is embracing the new "Love Them Both" approach and is stronger than ever.
Although the local group has been in existence since 1973, it's been energized through its work with the Indiana Citizens For Life, which helped organize Thursday's banquet, said local president Dave Koontz.
The turnout of 250 people surpassed organizers' expectations.
More importantly, those attending pledged more than $15,000 to support the group's goals for 1998.
"We were amazed. It was very encouraging," Koontz said of the turnout.
Goals outlined by Koontz include a billboard and television commercial campaign. Organizers said those projects would cost roughly $15,000 to $20,000.
Willke fueled the seed of interest with a 50-minute speech that covered the historical aspects of efforts to prevent abortion, a new strategy and some political insights about current U.S. lawmakers and leaders.
Koontz said the local right to life group has always encompassed Willke's philosophy.
Willke's address "put into words what we've been doing all along and probably taking us a little further in making sure the message gets out," Koontz said.
Willke also decried the "overwhelmingly evil activities" by U.S. officials overseas in which sterilization and use of contraceptives are demanded in exchange for basic necessities.
"Our officials are ugly Americans to the most profound degree," he said.
Efforts to ban partial-birth abortion are within two or three votes needed to override a veto by President Clinton.
He said he believes the partialbirth abortion debate has helped re-invigorate the debate over whether the fetus is a human being. [[In-content Ad]]
An energized gathering of pro-life supporters in Kosciusko County was encouraged to use a gentler, kinder approach in discussing the ongoing debate over abortion.
Dr. John Willke, who served as president of the National Right To Life organization during the 1980s, is advocating a new strategy that will be implemented by Kosciusko County Right To Life. The group held a rousing first banquet Thursday that attracted about 250 people at Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake.
Willke told supporters that many people outside the pro-life movement view anti-abortionists as "single-minded fetus lovers who are not compassionate to women."
But much of the movement is concentrating on helping the mother through crisis pregnancy counseling and assistance in battling the effects of post abortion syndrome.
"We stand with her. Not against her. We want to help in any way possible," Willke said.
"You won't convert them by calling them murderers," Willke said earlier in an address to Grace College students. He also spoke to students at Lakeland Christian Academy.
Presentations by Willke and his wife include more emphasis on fetal development and support for women.
In the 1970s, people supporting pro-choice focused on when life begins. Now, it's more a matter of choice.
"They have changed the question and we must roll with it," Willke said, urging people to avoid using the phrase pro-choice. When people argue that it's a woman's right to choose, Willke said they should respond by invoking his phrase, "Why can't we love them both?"
"Is the right to choose the central question? The first and only one? No," Willke said.
"In judging every morally laden human action, our first question is, 'Is the action permissible?'" he said.
Kosciusko County Right to Life is embracing the new "Love Them Both" approach and is stronger than ever.
Although the local group has been in existence since 1973, it's been energized through its work with the Indiana Citizens For Life, which helped organize Thursday's banquet, said local president Dave Koontz.
The turnout of 250 people surpassed organizers' expectations.
More importantly, those attending pledged more than $15,000 to support the group's goals for 1998.
"We were amazed. It was very encouraging," Koontz said of the turnout.
Goals outlined by Koontz include a billboard and television commercial campaign. Organizers said those projects would cost roughly $15,000 to $20,000.
Willke fueled the seed of interest with a 50-minute speech that covered the historical aspects of efforts to prevent abortion, a new strategy and some political insights about current U.S. lawmakers and leaders.
Koontz said the local right to life group has always encompassed Willke's philosophy.
Willke's address "put into words what we've been doing all along and probably taking us a little further in making sure the message gets out," Koontz said.
Willke also decried the "overwhelmingly evil activities" by U.S. officials overseas in which sterilization and use of contraceptives are demanded in exchange for basic necessities.
"Our officials are ugly Americans to the most profound degree," he said.
Efforts to ban partial-birth abortion are within two or three votes needed to override a veto by President Clinton.
He said he believes the partialbirth abortion debate has helped re-invigorate the debate over whether the fetus is a human being. [[In-content Ad]]