October 2009 Archives

Protest to be held on Saturday, October 31, at 11:30 A.M. at the White House

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2009/Christian Newswire --

America is at a spiritual and moral crossroads as President Obama and the leaders of Congress are pushing for taxpayer funded abortions as a part of health care reform.

If this current proposed legislation becomes law, our tax dollars will be used to pay for the killing of innocent children and the diminishing of women through abortion.

Just Thursday, late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart, who defended the heinous Partial Birth abortion method at the Supreme Court and lost, was in Washington DC attending an invitation only rally with Nancy Pelosi to unveil the new health care plan that will specifically include tax funding for abortions.

Pelosi's invitation of Carhart was a direct affront to the 71% of Americans that polls show oppose tax payer funded abortions.

The Obama-Pelosi-Carhart scheme to publicly fund abortions would set the pro-life movement back at least 25 years toward their goal of ending the violence of abortion and protecting human rights. It would also dramatically increase the number of abortions.

Operation Rescue urges Americans to join the protest in Washington D.C on Saturday October 31, at 11:30 AM in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. to let Obama know that 71% of the American people OPPOSE tax payer funded abortions.

"It is outrageous to think that abortion quacks like LeRoy Carhart, who is currently under criminal investigation for illegal and dangerous abortion practices, could end up with our hard-earned tax dollars," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Through grassroots protests like this one, we can make our voices heard."

More Protest Information

Note: Operation Rescue is an organization whose name is trademarked by Troy Newman, who is also the group's President. Only Newman and Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger are authorized to speak on behalf of Operation Rescue. Any other protest or press statement made by anyone other than Newman or Sullenger purporting to represent Operation Rescue is not authorized and may not reflect the views of Operation Rescue.

About Operation Rescue®
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation and has become a strong voice for the pro-life movement in America. Operation Rescue is now headquartered in a former abortion clinic that it bought and closed in 2006. From there, Operation Rescue launches its innovative new strategies across the nation, exposing and closing abortion clinics through peaceful, legal means. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to stop abortion and ultimately restore legal personhood to the pre- born in obedience to biblical mandates.

Chicago-Based Thomas More Society Intervenes to Defend Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act

CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2009/Christian Newswire --

Today, the Thomas More Society filed a petition to intervene, on behalf of three Illinois state's attorneys, in Cook County Circuit Court to defend the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act. The American Civil Liberties Union recently brought suit in Illinois state court to enjoin or block the Act, after the ACLU lost its bid in federal court earlier this year to stop the Act from going into effect.

State's Attorneys Stewart Umholtz of Tazewell County, Edward Deters of Effingham County, and Raymond Cavanaugh of Henderson County are seeking to intervene in order to have the case dismissed. The petition is expected to be heard at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2009, along with the ACLU's motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. Thomas More Society attorneys will be available for comment after the hearing.

"At some point, the ACLU will realize that Illinois law, just like the law in 36 other states, provides parents the right to know before their underage daughters are taken for abortions," said Peter Breen, Executive Director & Legal Counsel for the Society. "Until that time, we will defend against the ACLU's continued attempts to thwart the will of Illinois voters, the large majority of whom support parental notice before an abortion."

The suit brought in Illinois court by the ACLU did not name Illinois state's attorneys, as had been done in the earlier federal case. The Thomas More Society's filing asserts that the ACLU's case is barred because of the earlier loss in the federal courts. The Society also asserts that the Illinois Constitution of 1970 did not include a right to abortion, based on the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention. Also, abortion remained illegal in Illinois, under almost all circumstances, after the 1970 Illinois Constitution went into effect and up until the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, which was based only on the U.S. Constitution.

About the Thomas More Society
The Thomas More Society is a public interest law firm that counsels and defends those who work to protect innocent human life, defends those who proclaim faith-based values in our nation's public square, and strives to protect the institution of marriage as a union of man and woman formed to beget, bear and nurture new human lives. For more information, please visit: www.thomasmoresociety.org.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2009/Christian Newswire --

Democrats For Life of America announced today that they have 40 votes that will vote against the House health care reform legislation if tax payer funded abortion language is not removed from the bill.

"I want to be clear, pro-life Democrats want to help pass health care reform but our coalition can in no- way support reform that includes tax payer funded abortions. If the leadership will remove that language, we feel confident that we can deliver enough votes to help put this much needed reform over the top in the House," said Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America.

At issue for the 40 vote coalition is the refusal of the House leadership to include language that would prevent abortions to be paid for in health care reform. For roughly 30 years, pro-choice and pro-life Members have agreed that appropriations should not include any money for abortions at tax payer expense. The so- called "Hyde language" is the standard that both sides have agreed upon for decades. Hyde language would prevent tax payer funded abortions in appropriations bills. Several attempts to insert such language was rebuffed by House leadership throughout the committee and mark-up process in the House.

"We believe in a big-tent Democratic Party, but to not allow Hyde language to be included in health care reform would force some pro-choice and pro-life Democrats to vote against health care reform. If we add this language, we believe we can help Speaker Pelosi get the votes to pass this legislation," said Day.

DAYTON, OH, Oct. 29, 2009/Christian Newswire --

Operation Rescue has released a three-part report documenting how late-term abortionist Martin Haskell has used his considerable influence over years of legal wrangling in order to keep his Dayton abortion clinic open even though it does not meet the safety requirements prescribed by law.

Haskell is most famous for being the first to describe the partial birth abortion method, one he falsely claims to have invented.

Part One of the report recounts the arduous legal battle to compel Haskell's compliance only to end with the state granting Haskell a "variance" from having to comply with laws requiring clinics to obtain transfer agreements with local hospitals. To this day, Haskell has no hospital privileges in the Dayton area, and no hospital will grant him a transfer agreement.

Part Two of the report documents with actual tapes of 9-1-1 calls made earlier this year, that his Dayton area abortion clinics remains unsafe. It further exposes accomplices in the Dayton area that enable the Haskell clinic to remain open in spite of the dangers to women.

Part Three documents connections between Haskell and his wife, Valerie, to social institutions and politicians who may have helped cover for Haskell over the years. It reveals a shocking connection between the Haskells and former Sen. John Glenn, who accepted Haskell campaign contributions then went on to defend partial birth abortions on the floor of the Senate and nominate a Federal Court judge who was the only judge ever to rule in Haskell's favor.

"If Haskell is considered by every hospital in the Dayton area to be unqualified to treat patients at their facilities, then he shouldn't be allowed to practice at all," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, recently named by CNN the "abortionists' No. 1 foe."

Operation Rescue also outlines a three-point action plan for using peaceful, legal means to stop Haskell's Dayton area abortion clinic from continuing illegal operations.

"This is the first step in a plan to protect women from Haskell's dangerous abortion operation. We are committed to helping the people of Ohio rid their state of this scourge," said Newman.

"We are also seeking to speak with women who have had abortions at Haskell clinics in the past year. We encourage anyone with information that could lead to the closure of Haskell's clinic to contact us immediately."

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2009/Christian Newswire --

"Through the grace and mercy of God -- and the faithful prayers of more than 200,000 volunteers standing vigil outside abortion facilities -- an incredible miracle has taken place," said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life.

"Starting with the first-ever 40 DFL campaign in Bryan/College Station, TX in 2004, and continuing through the international 40 DFL effort that is under way this fall, we now have confirmed reports of at least 2,000 babies whose lives have been saved from the tragedy of abortion," Bereit said. "Who knows what wonders each of these children will bring to the world!"

Two thousand children would be enough to fill at least 80 classrooms. Two thousand children would be enough to make up 180 teams of little soccer players - - "and just as importantly," said Bereit, "this could represent 180 teams of soccer moms -- women who will enjoy watching their children run and jump and shout -- blessings they would have never known if they had fallen for the lies that are so often disguised by the rhetoric of 'choice.'"

Frequently, it is simply the sight of people peacefully standing in prayer that will convince a woman to turn away from abortion. "When people ask me what to say when they're at the vigil," said Bereit, "I often say -- just pray and don't worry about it. We have countless stories of women rejecting abortion and leaving the clinics even when not a single word was spoken."

It is often the prayer of children that has this effect. "Just last week, I heard about two little girls who were singing 'Jesus Loves Me' at a 40 Days for Life vigil," he said. "They sang as a woman went in for an abortion appointment -- then watched as she left the clinic in tears, read the number of a pregnancy resource hotline, and called for real assistance."

40 Days for Life is the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history. The fall 40 Days for Life campaign, which began September 23, will conclude on November 1. The initiative, in 212 cities across 45 American states, five Canadian provinces, and Denmark, consists of 40 days of intense prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, and grassroots community organizing.

Since 2004, some local 678 campaigns have been conducted in 282 communities, covering all 50 American states, the District of Columbia and American Samoa, as well as Canada, Australia, Northern Ireland and Denmark.

TENNESSEE, Oct. 27, 2009/Christian Newswire --

Children of God for Life announced today that Neocutis, a bio-pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and skin care, is using aborted fetal cell lines to produce several of their anti-aging skin creams.

"It is absolutely deplorable that Neocutis would resort to exploiting the remains of a deliberately slaughtered baby for nothing other than pure vanity and financial gain," stated Executive Director Debi Vinnedge. "There is simply no moral justification for this."

For years Children of God for Life has been a watchdog on pharmaceutical companies using aborted fetal cell lines in medical products and they have received thousands of inquiries from the public on the use of aborted fetal material in cosmetics.

Until now, this was the first time they have encountered any company bold enough to put the information right on their own website and product literature. A quick investigation into the science behind the products revealed the shameless data.

Neocutis' key ingredient known as "Processed Skin Proteins" was developed at the University of Luasanne from the skin tissue of a 14-week gestation electively-aborted male baby donated by the University Hospital in Switzerland. Subsequently, a working cell bank was established, containing several billion cultured skin cells to produce the human growth factor needed to restore aging skin. The list of products using the cell line include: Bio-Gel, Journee, Bio-Serum, Prevedem, Bio Restorative Skin Cream and Lumiere. But Vinnedge is calling for a full boycott of all Neocutis products, regardless of their source.

"There is absolutely no reason to use aborted babies for such selfish motives," Vinnedge said. "It is anti-life, anti-woman and counter-productive as Neocutis is about to find out!"

Children of God for Life is calling on rival cosmetic companies to take advantage of some free advertising by their company.

"We know there are companies using moral sources for collagen and skin proteins. We intend to publicly promote these other cosmetic companies competing with Neocutis that are willing to step forward and contact us."

Meanwhile Vinnedge advises women who are using Neocutis products to throw them in the garbage and to contact the company to express their concerns.

In addition she advised, "Contact some of these competing companies and ask them to verify their products are morally produced. If they are willing to commit to it in writing, they will get our endorsement."

Contact Neocutis:
Neocutis Inc.
3053 Fillmore Street # 140
San Francisco CA 94123
Phone: 1-866-636-2884

Further Information is published at the following links:
http://infoscience.epfl.ch/record/129015/files/ExpGer- Lee(2009).pdf
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17269452
www.neocutis.com/categories.php?catid=11
www.neocutis.com/article.php?sid=15

STATEN ISLAND, NY, Oct. 27 /Christian Newswire --

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, responded today to President Obama's statement to Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) that when he said in his September speech to Congress that "our plan" would not use federal dollars to fund abortion, he was not referring to any of the bills pending in Congress.

"Every time the President has spoken of not wanting to fund abortion in 'his' health care plan, no one has really known what measure he was talking about," said Fr. Pavone. "Now we know from his conversation with Congressman Stupak that the President's 'plan' has never seen the light of day. Or maybe, to paraphrase former President Bill Clinton, it depends on what the word 'plan' means."

Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro- life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.

by Dave Andrusko

October 27, 2009 --

The OH Department of Health reports not only that abortions dropped 4% between 2007 and 2008, but also that the 2008 figure of 29,613 is the lowest number of abortions ever recorded. Overall abortions have decreased a stunning 23% since 1976 when the state first began keeping records.

"We are winning the fight against those who push abortion as the first and sometimes only choice for women in crisis," Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis said. But he also put the report in perspective.
"While we take great joy that the collective efforts of Ohio's pro-life community are making significant strides in ending abortions," Gonidakis said, " the total number is staggering."

However that does not take away from the positive trends the Health Department documented in its report (available at www.ohiolife.org/assets/attachments/file/2008AbortionReport.pdf).

As Ohio RTL points out on its webpage, some of the key findings comparing abortions between 2008 and 1997 include:

Abortion declined by 35% among women 18 years old and younger. The decline was 22% among women 20-24 years old and 19% among women 25 years and older.

Abortion declined 30% among white women; 10% among African-American women; and 15% among other groups.

There was also detailed demographic information about the women obtaining abortions. According to Ohio RTL, those statistics include that:

• 18% of women were less than 20 years old;


• 34% were between 20 and 24 years old;


• 47% were older than 24 years old;


• 83% were unmarried;


• 56% were white; and


• 42% were black.

Read more at http://www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/

"Causes are the new black," quipped the moderator as he introduced actor Anthony Edwards, first up on a celebrity panel discussing how social media has impacted the lives of pop stars.

This was at the Blog World and New Media Expo in Las Vegas 10 days ago.

Edwards' cause is funding the construction of what will be the largest children's hospital in Kenya, via his organization Shoe4Africa.

My ears perked up at the moderator's observation, because I'd noticed this recurring theme the previous two days during BWE panels and keynotes.

My husband and I had registered to attend BWE along with about 1k other bloggers.

We knew we'd be entering liberal land, with such sessions offered as, "Blogging for change: How to influence health care through blogging." But we were putting up with a little left ideology to get valuable New Media tips, because the other side is progressive on that front, too.

This wasn't the first time I'd entered their world, having been one of only two conservatives blogging at the Democrat National Convention in Denver last year.

But since I don't read them much, I was unaware liberal bloggers become grumbling, self-centered navel gazers when not talking politics.

At least that's what Day One keynote speaker Chris Brogan seemed to say....

Continue reading my column today, "Might preborns become a trendy cause?," at WorldNetDaily.com.

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday against the city of Milwaukee on behalf of several pro-life advocates to end a long pattern of harassment. For years, numerous pro-life advocates peacefully sharing their messages have been arrested, jailed, cited, harassed, threatened, and even physically assaulted. This has occurred even though they have maintained, out of an abundance of caution, a distance of at least 25 feet from any abortion clinic because of a 1993 court order issued against unrelated parties.

more here

WASHINGTON, October 26, 2009 --

This is an urgent congressional alert from the National Right to Life Committee in Washington, D.C. Please act on this alert immediately. Please forward this e-mail to all pro-life lists (e.g., lists of pro-life groups, pro-life church members, and pro-life family members).

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) is planning to try to ram the massive health care bill (H.R. 3200) through the House on short notice, without allowing consideration of a critical pro-life amendment. National Right to Life is urging every pro-life citizen to immediately TELEPHONE the office of his or her representative in the U.S. House of Representatives with a clear and firm message urging a NO vote on the so-called "rule," which is the procedural vote that would allow passage of H.R. 3200 with no amendments allowed, and also to vote against the pro-abortion bill itself.

Even if you have already called and written your representatives in Congress about the health care bills, it is critical that you call again now. This will just take a few minutes. For guidance on how to make your call, click here, or go to the NRLC Legislative Action Center at http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/ and click on the "Urgent Congressional Alert."

Once you are on the NRLC website, you will see a box labeled "CALL NOW." Once you enter your zip code in that box, you will be shown the name and phone number of your representative in the U.S. House, along with suggested "talking points" that will help you deliver a crisp, clear message to your representative's staff person in Washington, D.C.

You will also see there a simple "feedback" form that you can use, if you wish, to send NRLC a short e-mail report on what your representative's staff person told you about how your representative intends to vote on these matters. These reports are extremely helpful to NRLC's efforts to prevent enactment of this pro-abortion legislation.

Detailed information about the pro-abortion components of the "health care" legislation, including NRLC's most recent letter to U.S. House members and press releases, is posted on the NRLC website at http://www.nrlc.org/ahc

For information on how you can directly support NRLC's lobbying efforts on this critical issue, click here.

For additional information on this issue, call the NRLC Federal Legislation Department at 202-626-8820.

TOPEKA, KS, Oct. 23, 2009 /Christian Newswire --

It was confirmed yesterday that Jack Confer, Executive Director of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts resigned unexpectedly and without explanation on Monday, October 19, 2009. Circumstances suggest that Confer's resignation may have been related to abortion cases that were before the KSBHA.

"We are sorry to see Mr. Confer go. He seemed to us to be a fair man that was above the corrupt abortion politics in Kansas. He will be deeply missed," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

Operation Rescue has filed numerous complaints against KS abortionists alleging misconduct and illegal activity. All complaints were stonewalled by Confer's predecessor, Larry Buening, who was revealed to be a close personal friend of late-term abortionist George Tiller.

Buening was forced to resign in disgrace over scandals involving the Board's reluctance to discipline physicians, especially abortionists. After Buening's resignation, Confer was hired to replace him and there was a massive overhaul of staff at the KSBHA.

Under Confer, abortion cases that had languished for years began to move forward. One such case, filed by Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger, resulted in an 11 count petition against Tiller for illegal late-term abortions done without the second opinion of an unaffiliated physician. News of that petition was released in dramatic fashion by the KSBHA just moments after Tiller was acquitted of 19 similar criminal charges.

"The criminal case and outcome is not determinative of the Board's administrative case. The administrative case will proceed on its own merits," said a written statement from the KSBHA.

"This statement was a message to the public that the KSBHA, under Confer, was above the politics of abortion," said Newman. "We expected that the board would have moved to discipline Tiller, and perhaps even revoke his medical license, but they never had the opportunity because of Tiller's senseless killing."

Confer's resignation came just as the Board was about to consider additional complaints against Tiller's 3 hired out-of-state abortionists based on allegations similar to those in Sullenger's complaint.

"The timing of this resignation is suspicious to us. We sincerely hope that Confer did not resign over pressure or corruption that was impeding his ability to do his job, but right now, that is a possibility that is very much on our minds," said Newman. "If corrupt forces have prevailed, then it is women who will ultimately pay the price at the hands of dangerous and unscrupulous abortionists."

A husband and wife pair in western Washington state are trying to raise money for him to go to Germany for a stem cell transplant for his failing heart. Erik and Jenn Gelhar have already raised $40,000 of the $100,000 they need to get him to Germany for the treatment at XCELL Centre in Dusseldorf Germany.

So why does an American have to travel to Germany to get such a treatment? Why are they farther ahead than the United States in adult stem cell treatments for heart disease? According to this article that quotes Dr. Charles Murray of University of Washington, it is because of Bush's funding restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and cloning:

Erik Gelhar is unable to get treatment in the United States because they are not as advanced as Germany in stem cell research. Germany has cutting edge technology and the people's view about stem cell therapy is different, Jenn Gelhar said.

Dr. Charles Murry, co-director at the University of Washington's Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, said the U.S. is still in the early stages of stem cell research. He said the ban that the Bush administration put on federal funding for the research slowed down the progression since it was a controversial and political issue.

1. Anyone who disposes of, or hands over or acquires or uses for a purpose not serving its preservation, a human embryo produced outside the body, or removed from a woman before the completion of implantation in the uterus, will be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine.

2. Likewise, anyone will be punished who causes a human embryo to develop further outside the body for any purpose other than bringing about of a pregnancy.

The reason Germans are so far ahead in adult stem cell treatments is because they don't waste time or money on stem cell research that does not now, and may never, treat patients i.e. embryonic stem cell research and cloning. (Imagine where the United States would be if millions of dollars that are spent on embryo destructive research were put into adult stem cell research instead.)

Continue reading

Washington, DC/October 20, 2009--

America is at a spiritual and moral crossroads as President Obama and the leaders of Congress are pushing for taxpayer funded abortions as a part of health care reform. If this current proposed legislation becomes law...

...your tax dollars will be used to pay for the killing of innocent children and the diminishing of women through abortion.

This would set the pro-life movement back at least 25 years toward their goal of ending the violence of abortion and protecting human rights. It would also dramatically increase the number of abortions.

President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are pushing this radical pro-abortion agenda even though national polls show that 71% of Americans oppose taxpayer funded abortions!

All across America hundreds of people are taking a stand and sending their pictures into the website called Iam71.org to show their support for human life and their opposition to publicly funded abortions.

(Go to www.Iam71.org to see what all the excitement is about.)

In response to this historic hour...

Saturday, October 31, at 11:30 A.M. we are going to the White House to be a prophetic witness for life.

We are asking you to join us as we lay down in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue to form a giant 71 and make a commitment to end abortion.

Not only will this be a powerful witness to President Obama, it will speak to America as it is covered by the national press. It will also challenge the heart of the church showing Christians are publicly willing to lay down their lives to embrace the heart of Christ, His cross and His desire to end abortion.

For more information please call Rev. Mahoney at: 202.547.1735 / 540.538.4741 or go to www.Iam71.org

>>> If you are leaving from the Fredericksburg, VA area there will be a caravan leaving the parking lot of Grace Church at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday morning. Grace Church is located on Heatherstone Dr. right behind BJ'S Warehouse off Route 3.

++If possible please wear a white shirt and jeans.

Pattern of Threats and Intimidation Escalates Into an Assault on a Pro-Life Volunteer at a Prayer Vigil

FRESNO, CA - Right to Life of Central California, one of the largest pro-life organizations west of the Mississippi, today condemned the pattern of threats and intimidation targeted at pro-life volunteers, that escalated into an assault Thursday afternoon.

On October 15th, Day 23 of our 40 Days for Life campaign, a pro-choice woman shouted obscenities at 40 Days volunteers, before attempting to break the event security camera and assaulting Victor Fierro, director of Latinos4Life. The attacker cut Fierro's arm with an unknown object, drawing blood, and then stormed back to her car and fled the scene. Much of the encounter took place right behind the camera, but the audio was all captured, as well as her face and license plate number. A police report is being filed this morning, and the video being uploaded to YouTube later today.

RLCC's Education Director Josh Brahm said, "We're just trying to hold a peaceful prayer vigil out here. We're law-abiding citizens, standing on a public sidewalk, with the full support of the Fresno Police Department, and yet several pro-abortion-choice people have been harassing us since day one. Now it's turned physical."

A police report has already been filed regarding another individual that's come by several times, stealing signs and making threatening remarks. In addition, a man called the Fresno Right to Life office this morning, saying "when you go and shoot doctors that are just trying to offer a service to women it's not good;" "there's a lot of hate out there, and one day it's going to blow up, and a lot of people are going to get hurt;" "why should I give you back anything but the sh** you've given to everybody else," and "why don't you just die you godd*** mother-f***ing piece of sh**!"

Josh Brahm said, "Fresno Right to Life has a long and undeniable history of peaceful pro-life activism, which we will proudly continue even in the face of bullying and intimidation."

Local media ignored the story of yesterday's assault on their evening news casts. KMPH Fox 26 told Josh Brahm that they weren't going to cover the story since Victor "wasn't stabbed, just scratched." KFSN ABC 30 shot footage at Planned Parenthood and interviewed both Josh Brahm and Victor Fierro, but didn't use the story, replacing it with a piece on the new "chocolate-covered bacon" stand at the local fair, and a man who believes he sees the virgin Mary on a rock.

For over 22 years, RLCC has been a leader in peaceful, legal activities to protect human lives threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. RLCC will continue to work through educational activities to ensure the right to life for unborn children, people with disabilities and the infirm and elderly. This includes our annual 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, as well as a globally-heard podcast, YouTube videos, educational presentations and campus outreach. For more information, please visit FresnoProLife.org.

SANTA ANA, Calif./October 19, 2009 --

In the name of religious tolerance, the United Nations is gearing up to introduce a "Defamation of Religions" resolution that will actually undermine the religious liberty and personal safety of Christians and other faith groups worldwide. At the same time, a growing grassroots movement is underway to stop it. Carl Moeller, Open Doors USA President/CEO and a leader in the battle, is available to explain the stakes.

"Many Christians living in these countries are already severely impacted by restrictive laws -- especially those living under strict Sharia law," says Moeller. "From the right to worship freely to the ability to share the gospel, the Defamation of Religions Resolution threatens to justify local laws that already marginalize Christians. As Americans, we have enjoyed a long tradition of religious liberty. The Defamation of Religions Resolution is a blow against religious freedom."

The Defamation of Religions Resolution, introduced annually at the UN, seeks to criminalize words or actions that are deemed to be against a particular religion, namely Islam. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), an inter-governmental organization of 57 countries with majority or significant Muslim populations, has been the driving force behind this resolution. The OIC is expected to introduce another such resolution to the UN General Assembly this fall.

Policy experts at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, however, believe there is a real opportunity to defeat the resolution this year. Members of Congress and non-profit organizations will be urging countries join the U.S. and vote against it.

Open Doors USA is helping to lead the advocacy effort at the UN to prevent this non-binding resolution from passing. As part of its "Free to Believe" campaign, launched two weeks ago, Open Doors will lobby key countries, organize a petition drive for Open Doors supporters to campaign against the resolution and speak to the media.

For more on the campaign, go to OpenDoorsUSA.org. A "Free to Believe" petition there invites signers to "Say NO to the Defamation of Religions Resolution."

Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers.

For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.

LANSING, Mich., October 19 /Christian Newswire --

Michigan has joined with dozens of other States that are seeking affirmation of personhood rights for all humans. Rep. Jim Slezak (D) is the the lead sponsor of the amendment, and is cosponsored by Paul Scott, Tim Moore, Richard LeBlanc, James Bolger, Kevin Green, Rick Jones, Pete Lund, Matt Lori, John Walsh, Kenneth Kurtz, Tom McMillin, Robert Dean, Bob Genetski, Wayne Schmidt, Joe Haveman, Kevin Daley, Marty Knollenberg, Eileen Kowall, Goeff Hansen, Dudley Spade, Joel Sheltrown, and Jeff Mayes.

The Michigan Personhood Amendment states: SEC. 28. (1) EVERY HUMAN PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO LIFE, WHICH IS THE PARAMOUNT AND MOST FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT GUARANTEED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THIS STATE.

(2) WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDAMENTAL AND INALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE, THE WORD "PERSON" APPLIES TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS, IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE, RACE, GENDER, HEALTH, FUNCTION, CONDITION OF DEPENDENCY, INCLUDING PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DEPENDENCY, OR METHOD OF REPRODUCTION, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THEIR BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING FERTILIZATION. "It is tremendous that for the first time in Michigan Legislature history, an Amendment has been introduced to protect ALL humans no matter how small, by love and by law," commented Cal Zastrow, Co-founder of Personhood USA.

For Interviews please contact:
Rep. Jim Slezak
517-373-3906
JimSlezak@house.mi.gov

Rep. Paul Scott
517-373-1780
paulscott@house.mi.gov

Or Cal Zastrow, Director/ Co-Founder Michigan
Citizens for Life
989-859-4482
Cal@personhoodusa.com www.personhoodusa.com

Personhood USA is a grassroots Christian organization founded to establish personhood efforts across America to create protection for every child by love and by law. Personhood USA is committed to assisting and supporting Personhood Legislation and Constitutional Amendments and building local pro-life organizations through raising awareness of the personhood of the pre-born.

Personhood USA
PO Box 486
Arvada, CO 80001
United States

MEDIA ADVISORY, Oct. 15, 2009/Christian Newswire -

"A woman's right to choose," introduced in the mid 70's, succeeded brilliantly in distracting attention from the seriousness of abortion by focusing instead on the decision making process. The result being that the seeming fairness of the decision making process worked to legitimize its outcome. The late Dr. James Kennedy, founder of Coral Ridge Ministries, defined the issue, saying, "They have long tried to skirt the gruesome and sinful nature of abortion-for-convenience by making the word 'choice' stand for far more than its innocent-appearing use implies."

Until now, the malicious and distracting influence of "choice" has gone unchallenged and abortion is never discussed apart from its legitimizing influence. Clearly damaging the image of "choice" would help pro-life move the discussion to abortion itself. Fortunately, over the years, "choice" has become vulnerable to criticism due to its close relationship with abortion. Choice actually facilitates abortion and makes it permissible with the phrase "freedom of choice." By doing this, "choice" has become an accomplice to the abortions....

The ChoiceKills effort is introduced with a website, Choicekills.com. It is directed at young women. "Judy, the talking embryo" greets them with the tragic reality of her dangerous existence and asks for their help. Typical opinions of young women who have been enticed to abort their babies portray a variety of regrets stemming from the deceiving image that Choice had given them.

Website visitors are encouraged to keep other young women from falling prey to the seduction of "choice" and know for sure that "freedom of choice" is far from free. Inexpensive bumper stickers and T- shirts are offered as a way to carry the life-saving message to their community. Young men are encouraged to assist their female friends in the effort.

The ChoiceKills project was originated to serve the goal of preventing abortions by providing a method that could unite pro-life organizations with an effective response to "Choice", killer of millions.

AURORA, Ill., Oct. 14/Christian Newswire --

In a development that reopens the whole controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's deceptive arrival in Aurora in 2007, it has recently been disclosed that PP is planning an expansion in that city. They are seeking approval from the City of Aurora to boost their parking by 27 spaces, an increase of nearly 40 percent.

On October 15, the Planning and Development Committee will vote on PP's request for additional parking. Pro-life advocates plan to attend the meeting and urge the committee to deny Planned Parenthood's request.

Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League asked, "Why would Planned Parenthood need additional parking? We've got people out there all the time, so we know they haven't been overflowing their existing parking lot."

According to documents obtained by Scheidler through Freedom of Information Act requests, Planned Parenthood cites "security" as the reason for seeking more parking spaces. In the "Explanation of Project Needs" submitted by Tim Dutton of McAdam Landscape Inc., who is managing the project for Planned Parenthood, "Our staff and patients are being constantly harassed by the protesters." Dutton even goes so far as to say it's "only a matter of time" before Aurora sees an act of violence like the killing of abortionist George Tiller in Kansas.

"Sadly, the City of Aurora has accepted this explanation and scare tactics at face value. At no point has any city staff member, appointee or elected official ever questioned Planned Parenthood's allegations," said Scheidler. "But the truth is that the pro-life presence at Planned Parenthood's Aurora facility has been a model peacefulness and cooperation with law enforcement."

Scheidler believes the real reason PP wants more parking is a shortage of 26 spaces alleged in a zoning case against the organization going before a state judge later this month. Scheidler also pointed out that research by PLAL attorneys has found that Planned Parenthood's existing parking violates Aurora's zoning ordinance as follows:

1. While the zoning ordinance requires 10-foot-wide parking spaces, Planned Parenthood's spaces are only 9 feet wide.

2. While the zoning ordinance requires a 35 foot setback for parking spaces, Planned Parenthood has only 30.

"Once again, Planned Parenthood is trying to demonize their pro-life opponents to avoid scrutiny of their nefarious business dealings," Scheidler said. "They came into Aurora under a cloud of deception, and now they're trying to paper over their misdeeds by pretending that they're threatened by our peaceful presence there."

"The City of Aurora should deny Planned Parenthood any further opportunity to expand in this community where they are already unwelcome," Scheidler concluded.

MI Right to Life's Brian Cusack made the point at a banquet I recently attended that there is a schism between believing what 53% of Americans responded to a December 2005 Zogby poll, that "abortion destroys a human life and is manslaughter," and putting it into practice.

Cusack called it "the great disconnect" that people would willingly stand by and even condone what they consider "manslaughter."

A clear example of the great disconnect came Oct. 9 when the Nobel Peace Prize committee chose Barack Obama as its 2009 recipient.

Obama had only been in office 12 days when nominations closed and had furthermore done "jack and squat" in the nine months following, as a Saturday Night Live skit recently put it.

But the committee awarded Obama because he gave the world "hope for a better future," according its statement.

The disconnect, of course, is Obama is the most pro-abortion president in US history, to the point of advocating postborn baby killing if it would interfere with preborn baby killing.

Actually, from a pro-abortion perspective, Obama has done "jack and pot" since becoming president....

Continue reading my column today, "Obama's polar opposite lost Peace Prize," on WorldNetDaily.com.

The 2010 National Right to Life Pro-Life Essay Contest has two categories:

Ok, I'm getting really scared here. Even with 50% of the nation disapproving of the President's health care proposals, there is talk that this health care reform including a public option could pass as early as next week, with or without Republican support. I'm just not quite sure enough people really and truly understand just how drastically this free country could (and will) change with this simple bill.

Newt Gingrich has an excellent article at HumanEvents.com in which he outlines 8 contradictions between what is currently in the health care bill and what President Obama has promised not to do to the American people. Although I have such trouble understanding the mindset of one who wants to turn over more of more of their life, freedom, money, constitutional rights, opportunities, and dreams over to a government that is widely believed to be inept at nearly everything they try to do, I won't begrudge those that are coming from the mindset that we ought to love "the least of these" and take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. I just happen to believe that there are many other ways to do that other than those that President Obama and Congress have devised....

Continue reading this article here.

MEDIA ADVISORY, Oct. 12, 2009/Christian Newswire --

In his weekly devotional published today, Brian Shilhavy raises the question: Who is responsible for providing your healthcare? Mr. Shilhavy first quotes several verses in the Old Testament which state that the LORD God is the one who heals and restores health, and that the priests were the ones who administered God's health care plan. He claims that believing Jews in the Old Testament times would easily answer the question as to who was responsible for their healthcare with these basic facts.

Next, Mr. Shilhavy quotes verses from the New Testament that show Jesus was the one everyone came to for healing during his earthly ministry, and that he turned over the ministry of healthcare to his disciples after taking care of our sins by his sacrificial death on the cross. Mr. Shilhavy claims that the healthcare plan of the New Testament churches was to seek out the leaders of the church when one was sick, as is directed by James in James 5:13-20.

Mr. Shilhavy then asks what response Christians today in the 21st century would give in response to the question "Who is responsible for your healthcare?" He doubts that they would respond the same way believers in biblical times would have responded to this question, and that most believers today think "healthcare" is equivalent to "medical care" and the domain of drugs, doctors, insurance companies, and hospitals. He writes that instead of seeing Jesus as the one who is responsible for our healthcare, and the leaders of the church as responsible for administering it, we have turned to the world system built upon the lie of evolution and humanism, and made it our idol as we trust in it for our "health." The entire article is found here.

Brian Shilhavy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible/Greek from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and his Master of Arts degree in linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. He is the founder and current president of Tropical Traditions, Inc., which sells Virgin Coconut Oil and organic foods. He writes about health topics from a creation view point at Created4health.org, dealing with such topics as genetically modified foods, science, health, the role of government, and many others.

CHICAGO, October 8, 2009/Christian Newswire --

"You know a law is an improper intrusion on First Amendment rights when even the American Civil Liberties Union sides with pro- life interests in opposing certain aspects of a legislative action," said David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life. "Such is the case with the new bubble zone ordinance, approved Wednesday by Chicago's city council, which unconstitutionally restricts the peaceful activities of pro-life individuals on the sidewalk in front of abortion facilities in an attempt to cripple the ongoing 40 Days for Life prayer vigils."

The new city ordinance could not only block sidewalk counseling and the display of pro-life signs within 50 feet of all entrances to an abortion facility, but it could also prevent any pro-life person from being within eight feet of an abortion customer without getting that person's permission. Anyone found in violation could be fined up to $500.

"This is a serious attack on free speech, and backers specifically cited 40 Days for Life in city council hearings as the reason for this measure," said Bereit. "We are asking anyone who loves free speech to call the office of Mayor Richard Daley and ask the mayor to please veto the bubble zone ordinance before it takes effect." The phone number for the Chicago mayor's office is 312-744-3300.

At the downtown Chicago Planned Parenthood location, for instance, this ordinance could completely block any 40 Days for Life vigil from the public right of way adjacent to the facility, due to sidewalks which make it virtually impossible for prayer vigil participants to be more than eight feet away from abortion customers without stepping into the busy street. Additionally, if someone were praying out loud, it could be interpreted as "education" or "counseling" and thus trigger the provisions of the ordinance.

Bereit said the biggest chilling effect is that "most pro- life Chicagoans will simply not know what they can or can't do without risk of a fine, and will thus be forced to stay far away from the abortion center or not come at all -- the abortion industry's desired effect. The bottom line is that if pro-life Americans don't push back, more situations like this will happen all across the country and our rights will be trampled on more and more by the abortion industry."

Washington, DC/October 8, 2009 --

A spokesman for the nation's major pro-life organization said that remarks by the White House press secretary on October 7, "once again demonstrated that the White House is a partner in an ongoing smuggling operation, which if successful will result in funding of abortion on demand by the federal government."

The following exchange occurred during the October 7, 2009, daily press briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

QUESTION [by CNS News reporter Fred Lucas]: It's a question on health care, actually; two questions. First, in a letter to senators last week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said that, quoting, "So far the health reform bills considered in the committee, including the new Senate Finance Committee bill, have not met the President's challenge of barring the use of federal dollars for abortion." Is that statement wrong?

MR. GIBBS: Well, I don't want to get me in trouble at church, but I would mention there's a law that precludes the use of federal funds for abortion that isn't going to be changed in these health care bills.

Q: There have been, though, several amendments that would explicitly bar abortions, that would therefore reject it, some of those amendments by Democrats --

MR. GIBBS: Again, there's a fairly well documented federal law that prevents it.

In his answers, Gibbs in essence repeated a discredited claim made by President Obama himself on August 20, when the President said: "There are no plans under health reform to revoke the existing prohibition on using federal taxpayer dollars for abortions. Nobody is talking about changing that existing provision, the Hyde Amendment. Let's be clear about that. It's just not true."

More recently, Obama said in a September 9 speech to both houses of Congress that "under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions." On September 13, George Stephanopoulos of ABC News asked Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, "So you're saying it will go beyond what we have seen so far in the House and explicitly rule out any public funding for abortion?," and received from Sebelius this answer: "Well that's exactly what the President said and I think that's what he intends that the bill he signs will do."

Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the national federation of right-to-life affiliates, said: "Gibbs' statement is one more proof, if any more were needed, that the White House is actively engaged in a political smuggling operation -- an attempt to achieve funding of elective abortion by the federal government, cloaked in smokescreens of contrived language and outright deception. There is no current federal law that would prevent the new programs created by the pending health care bills from paying for abortion on demand -- and the White House knows this full well. Only language written directly into the bills would prevent government funding of abortions -- but such language has been blocked by the Democratic chairmen of five congressional committees, with White House cooperation, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is refusing to allow the House to even vote on adding a true Hyde Amendment to the health care bill."

"The motivation for the ongoing White House deception is found in three recent national polls that show strong public opposition to government-funded abortion," Johnson added....

Miami, FL/October 7, 2009

Killing of Black baby highlights the targeting of Blacks for abortion and prompts the showing of 'Maafa 21' on Friday, October 9, in Miami

Pastors from the Black Community are asking for murder charges in addition to the two felonies already field against former abortion worker Belkis Gonzalez, who was responsible for the death of a black baby who was born alive during an abortion at a Hialeah, FL abortion clinic in 2006.

Dr. Johnny Hunter of LEARN and Rev. O'Neal Dozier, Pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center Church held a press conference today to discuss the case which is scheduled for a hearing on October 9.

Belkis Gonzalez, an unlicensed abortion worker, was on duty when a 19-year old woman arrived at the abortion clinic to complete an abortion started by Pierre Renelique the previous day. When Renelique failed to show up to finish the abortion, the woman gave birth to a little girl, Shanice Osbourne, who was moving and breathing at the time of the delivery. Gonzalez then cut her umbilical cord, shoved her in a biohazard bag with caustic chemicals, and tossed her up on the abortion clinic roof to hide her body from the authorities.

Three years later, after substantial public pressure from Operation Rescue, Gonzalez was arrested and charges with two felonies counts of practicing medicine without a license and evidence tampering. Gonzalez was on probation at the time of her arrest for conducting medical duties without a license. If convicted, she could face five years on her previous charge in addition to 15 years in prison on the current charges, even without the murder charges.

"When Belkis Gonzalez decided not to call 911, when she decided instead not to clamp the cord so Shanice would bleed to death, when she decided to stuff Shanice into a bag so she would suffocate, that was cold blooded murder and Gonzalez must be held accountable with homicide, not minor charges," said Rev. O'Neal Dozier.

"By not charging Gonzalez with murder, the prosecutors are making the statement that Shanice's life lacked the value of other human beings. That is an insult to Shanice, who deserves the full measure of justice for her short and painful life," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, who helped sponsor the Miami event with Dr. Hunter and Rev. Dozier.

Shanice's death draws attention to the disproportionate targeting of Black women for abortion in this nation. While only 13% of American women are Black, they account for 36% of all abortions.

In response to that, Dr. Hunter will be screening the film "Maafa 21 - Black Genocide in the 21st Century" on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 PM at Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church, located at 495 NW 191 St. in Miami. He will be available to answer questions following the showing.

View a news video of an interview with Rev. Dozier here. While the report claims the trial will begin on October 9, 2009, OR has confirmed with the court that Gonzalez will have a hearing in this case on that date, but the trial date has yet to be set.

Wednesday, September 30th at 1:00 pm Eastern time, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Family Research Council, along with Care Net and other national pro-life groups, released a groundbreaking report, A Passion to Serve, A Vision for Life, which shares the tremendous contributions of pregnancy resource centers since the inception of the movement over forty years ago.

The event was broadcast live on the web at www.apassiontoserve.com and can be viewed now by clicking the Press button. The report is available on this same website for order or to download a copy. Order one for your nearby pregnancy center to help them spread the word about their work in your community!

I didn't know the potato heads at Toys R Us were featuring Whoopi Goldberg on the cover of their 2009 "Differently-Abled Kids" catalog and ad campaign until she defended pedophile rapist/sodomist Roman Polanski on The View last week, after which bloggers quickly took note of the paradox.

I could have told Toys R Us Goldberg was a poor fit, certainly not the "child advocate" it boasted her to be in a press release. She's had multiple abortions - between 4 and 7, depending on the account. Serial-killing one's own children is about as child-unfriendly as one can be.

In early stand-up routines and in the book The Choices We Made: 25 Women and Men Speak Out About Abortion, Goldberg stated her first abortion was self-inflicted in a park at age 14, after being impregnated at 13.

That one happened because, "Whoopi led a bohemian lifestyle... and engaged in promiscuous activities," according to biographer Ellesse Chow.

Which brings us to Polanski. Most now know that in 1977 the famous film director at age 43 primed a 13-year-old with drugs and alcohol before raping and sodomizing her, after which he fled the country to escape prosecution....

There is no explanation for Goldberg's shocking statements in Polanski's defense except to recall Goldberg herself had consensual sex at age 13, which apparently was only the beginning. She bragged on The View in 2008 she had gone on to nail "about 50" lovers in her lifetime....

Continue reading my column today, "Toys R Us linked to 'not rape-rape' Whoopi," at WorldNetDaily.com.

Riverside, CA/October 6, 2009

Emergency transports raise alarms about clinic competency and safety

A Planned Parenthood abortion patient was rushed to the hospital by ambulance on Saturday morning, October 3, 2009, according to eyewitnesses who photographed the incident.

This is the third reported emergency transport from a Southern California PP abortion clinic within the past three weeks. Two similar incidents occurred at the PP in Orange, CA, on September 16 and 26.

According to pro-life sidewalk counselors, first a fire truck arrived at the PP abortion clinic in Riverside, CA, followed by an ambulance with lights on and sirens blaring. Witnesses observed that a female patient was removed from the building on a gurney. She was loaded into the awaiting ambulance, which sped away without the use of lights or sirens.

The woman's condition is unknown.

"Three medical emergencies in three weeks tells us that these Planned Parenthood abortion mills are experiencing some grave internal problems," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Whatever their problems are, they are placing the lives of women at risk."

Pro-lifers have seen an increase in suspicious activity at the Riverside abortion clinic. One sidewalk counselor reported that two security guards stood near her with their hands on their guns in an effort to intimidate the women who were peacefully offering practical help and alternatives to abortion-bound women.

Similar accounts of security personnel using intimidation tactics were reported by pro-life activists outside the PP in Orange County.

Meanwhile, sidewalk counselors in Orange have made flyers with photos of the ambulances at the PP and are handing them out to women seeking abortions. The flyers warn women that they could be next.

Since doing this, one activist reported that he was able to turn around one, possibly two women from having abortions for the first time in several weeks.

"We want to encourage pro-lifers as they stand outside their local abortion clinics to be prepared to document incidents by always having a camera," said Newman. "The pictures taken by alert sidewalk counselors just a few days ago are now saving lives and warning women of the dangers of abortion."

"We have never seen a safe abortion clinic - only ones that haven't been caught yet," said Newman. "We pray that by exposing these abortion injuries and working through the legal system to hold those responsible accountable, that the clinics will ultimately close."

Several sources have recently covered a survey conducted by AGI, a former Planned Parenthood affiliate, which found that because of the current economy, many women want to delay pregnancy or limit the number of children they have. The poll showed that 64% of women agreed with the statement, "With the economy the way that it is, I can't afford to have a baby right now."

It's easy to see how this thought could cross the minds of couples in today's culture. "How could we care for a child in this economy when things are so unstable?" "Would we be wise to think about starting a family when the economy is in shambles?" It's funny how the voice of uncertainty can slowly creep in and start taking over.

You see, the truth of the matter is, the economy is not really the culprit here. I have heard this concern voiced to me many times...even when the economy wasn't in this shape. As young couples are just starting out, trying to "make their way in this world," they are constantly bombarded with the world's view of the proper order of things: get your life together completely, and don't have children until you have enough money and resources saved to support an entire village. If you mess up this order, you will be deemed a bad parent forever!

What IF you become pregnant and you don't have your life together by the world's standards? This particular survey was conducted of women who were conscientiously deciding that the economy was the deciding factor of whether or not to have children right now. If that's the case, what happens when they get pregnant anyway? Their minds are already made up that they can't handle it. So where do they go?

Many women who walk into pregnancy centers everyday are facing similar financial burdens. Before their visit, they are often not aware of the resources around them that can help - churches, day care co-ops, adoption support, community-based agencies, and free pregnancy center services offering parenting support and material resources - cribs, clothing, diapers, etc. Unfortunately, the lie that has been sold to them is, "You're all alone. You're weak - you can't do this. There is no help out there for you." And tragically, some women tell us later on that believing those lies caused them to choose abortion.

This is the time for pregnancy centers to step up their efforts in reaching, educating, and connecting with women in this economy. The lies are just that - lies! Women aren't alone, there is help for them out there, and they can be good parents, even in a bad economy.

So my message to the women surveyed is this: Do not be afraid! If you are pregnant, and you still have doubts and fears, find your local pregnancy center. They exist to provide free services to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. And finally, remember that "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7)