Basic Strategies for Public Pro-Choice Presentations

.	Pro-Choice Pro-Truth Pro-Life If you have had an abortion, Please Click Here

Basic Strategies for
Public Pro-Choice Presentations
(A Pro-Truth Action Plan)
(How to Talk to the Public About Abortion)

Page Summary

A Proposed
Association designed
to Keep Abortion Legal

The Pro-truth Team is urging the pro-choice organizations to form a public relations association. This page explains:

a) why this is important,

b) how it can be done, and

c) what it will accomplish.

How to Speak to
an Anti-abortion Advocate

This page teaches speakers how to speak the language that will undermine the false foundation of the anti-abortion movement:

Page Contents

The Concept:

(a) Why We Are Speaking

(b) For Whom Are We Speaking

(d) The Context out of Which

We are Speaking

(e) The Pro-Truth Team In Action

(f) The Pro-Truth Team Action Plan

(g) What to Avoid

(h) Four-Person Speaking Teams

(i) A Speaking Strategy

The Actual Speaking:

(j) Find points of Agreement

(k) Expose Their Fundamental Beliefs

(l) Appeal to Emotion

(m) Ask Leading Questions

(n) Distinguish the Shepherd

from the Flock

(o) Acknowledge Having

Made Mistakes

(p) Go to Source

(a) Why We Are Speaking?

There are several important reasons for speaking
The Truth About Abortion:

To expose the anti-abortion campaign for what it is - - a religious war. To Clearly demonstrate how and why Abortion Is a Religious Freedom Issue.^°

To bring to public attention information that the anti-abortionists want to keep hidden,

To expose the anti-abortion leaders for what they are - - close-minded men with a political agenda,

To expose the unprovable Medieval religious fairytale^° which is the core assumption upon which the entire anti-abortion campaign is based.

To expose the five basic, unprovable religious assumptions^° which the anti-abortion leaders claim to be true. If even one of these assumptions is false, then the entire anti-abortion campaign is a nothing short of religious tyranny.

To expose and challenge their intention to deceive by using lies of omission.^°

To expose and challenge their intention to deceive by using inaccurate, misleading, and deceptive language.^°

To be certain the anti-choice message is not the only message heard. Some of the anti-choice speakers intentionally intimidate and harass their opponents. It’s part of their strategy. They do it so that pro-choice people will refuse to debate with them. If they succeed in pushing the pro-choice voice off the stage, then no-choice is the only voice heard.

To plant seeds of doubt^° in the minds of those listening to the discussion.

To expose the absolutely devastating consequences^° that result from the actions of the anti-abortion leaders.

To expose the Monumental Hidden Costs^° of attempting to outlaw abortion.

(b) For Whom Are You Speaking?

Like it or not, whenever when anybody representing any pro-choice organization speaks publicly about abortion, they are a public relations speaker for the entire pro-choice movement. What any one of us says affects all of us in the movement.

Our words also affect the billions of women whose right of choice in motherhood is in question. Our words also affect every living being on the planet, human and otherwise. As most of you well aware:

Human overpopulation is the single greatest threat to our present social, economic, and political structures. Human overpopulation is also the major cause of environmental destruction.

And as you also already know, the anti-abortion advocates are also vehemently opposed to the dissemination of birth control information and birth control assistance, not only here in the U.S., but all over the entire world^° where 40,000 children starve to death each and every day^° or die from durable diseases.

(c) To Whom Are You Speaking?

When we are in front of an audience with a no-choice promoter, he or she is not the person to whom we are directing your message. He or she is merely the path you take to reach our intended listeners.

Here’s your audience:

The Misinformed:

Speak to the millions of people who oppose abortion but have no idea why other than, in their own minds, they believe they are saving babies' lives.

The Uninformed:

Speak to the millions more who have no idea what’s really going on and who, if they knew, would be appalled at the antics of the anti-abortionists.

Youths:

Speak to the millions of impressionable young people who are in the process of claiming their own personhood - - young people who are still listening to others and questioning what we call reality - - young people who are deeply troubled by the world they see and wish it were different - - young people who are desperate for adult role models to emulate.

The No-choice Sheep:

The ranks of the anti-abortion movement are filled with mindless sheep who think they are doing God's work. Speak their language. Fill them with the fear of hellfire and damnation^° for defying God, for denying the Bible.^° Use the Columbo Letter^° approach on them. (See the actual Columbo Letter^°)

(d) The Context Out of Which

We Are Speaking:

The three, basic requirements for turning an average strategy into a winning strategy are: 1) Understand the context in which the strategy is being applied. 2) Become aware of the rules which are valid within that context. 3) Apply those rules better than anybody else.

In sports, one learns the rules of game, examines the setting in which the game is played, and then plays to out score the opponents. For example, baseball and golf have very different rules applied in very different settings, and the winner in golf is the individual who has the least points while the winner in baseball is the team who scores the most points. Obviously one would not apply the parameters of baseball to a golf game.

The same uniqueness applies to the anti-abortion war. First we answer the three basic questions: 1) What is the Context?^° 2) What rules apply within this context? and 3) How do I apply those rules more efficiently and more effectively than my opponents?

The Context:

The anti-abortion controversy is a religious war.^° Many people will deny that, and many more will not even be aware that it's a religious war. But, please don't believe me. Examine the evidence on our web sites^° (and elsewhere) and come to your own conclusions.

One of the reasons why the present pro-choice people are loosing conflict after conflict is because: 1) they are fighting a war they did not start and that they don't want, 2) they are fighting in a context where they have no power, no leverage, no advantage, 3) they have failed to research, find and attack the oppositions weak point,^° 4) they are playing a defensive strategy instead of an offensive strategy, 5) they do not appear to understand the opposition, and 6) they have allowed the opposition the create the language^° pick the venues where the fights occur. In order to turn this around all four of these must be changed. That change has to start now!

First and foremost, the anti-abortion controversy is a religious war.^° The winning strategy is to approach the abortion controversy within its religious context. This is the oppositions weakest point. Why? Because the entire controversy is based upon several, unprovable, religious assumptions.

Winning in a war is very different from winning in a sports contest. First, the concept of scoring points becomes a contest to win the support of the public and second, in a war, the intention is to destroy the enemies capacity to inflict damage. And since we (at least on the Pro-choice side) are not in a war of violence, the truth is our major weapon.

What Are the Rules:

Here are nine basic rules applicable to this controversy:

A clearly stated Goal: State the goal (the intention) clearly, specifically, and accurately. Translate the goal into a written statement of intention.

For Example, the goal of the Team is: To End the Anti-abortion War.^° This Goal has been thoroughly researched by the Pro-Truth Team and then translated into a written, Thirteen Step Action Plan.^°

If you have the typical response to this proposal: "What? You’ve got to be kidding! Both sides are so strongly polarized that resolution is impossible." we invite you to look at the section titled The Lunatic Fringe.^°

Take the Initiative: You cannot win a war from a defensive position. Aggressively attack the opponent's weakest position (but not the opponent). Expose his fallacies; challenge him to prove his assumptions; demand clear accurate language; speak publicly about his hypocrisy, and ask him why he doesn't follow his own rules.

Know the Opposition: In order to win, you must study the opposition until you thoroughly understand his beliefs, his mind set, his strategy, and his behavior patterns. Find his strong points, his weak points, his likes, needs, desires, motivations, etc. Infiltrate his organizations. Read his books and literature.

Sit quietly in meditation and, in your mind, become him. Feel his feelings, think his thoughts, see yourself doing as he does and ask, why am I doing this?

To fight something is to feed it: When you focus on that which you do not want, you bring the universal power of manifestation to it.^° You actually make it stronger.

Focus on the positive. Allow the opponent to be who and what he is. That's not to ignore him. When something or someone needs to be dealt with, do so promptly and thoroughly, and then, as quickly as possible, re-focus on your stated intention.

... lowest ethical standards ...

Ethical Standards: In any conflict, the person or group with the lowest ethical standards, sets the level at which the conflict is played out. You are not required to tell the truth to the lie. When dealing with ethical people, always maintain high ethical standards. When dealing with those who have low standards, offer your ethics to the opponent, and then play at the level the opponent's plays, whatever that is, only play his game better than he does. When attacked, counter attack with a vehemence that exceeds his. Do what they do, and be better at it than they are.

There are those who claim that this is a double standard and say that responding at the opponent's level would be to get down in the sewer with them. To those critics we say, "Yup, you're right thanks for noticing."

And we put the opposition on notice: Although your sewer-level behavior may have been successful in the past, such tactics will not drive the Pro-Truth Team out of the public forums. Before you engage in such tactics with us, you'd better have your own house in order and all the skeleton out of your closets, because when the gloves come off, your lies of omission, your defiance of God, your hypocrisy, your moral bankruptcy, your intentional deceptions, your true intentions, and all your fairytale beliefs will be prime topics for the public discussions.

Self Interest: People always act in a manner that they perceive to be in their own best interest. The simplest way to change someone else's behavior is to change the result they receive from that behavior. When the rewards go away, the unwanted behavior simply stops.

In the ant-abortion war, we need to answer the question: "What can we do to make it in the best interest of the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy and in the best interest of the fundamentalist Christian leaders to take their personal religious beliefs back into their churches and leave the rest of us alone?" The answer is quite simple, but the application of that answer will require an extensive "Speak the Truth"^° campaign." (Please see the page How to Keep Abortion Legal.^°

Roman Catholic Church hierarchy and the fundamentalist Christian leaders generate massive amounts of money, political power, and prestige by distorting the truth^° of Christianity and by peddling illusions and fear to those who refuse to think for themselves. We need only to speak the truth into the face of the lie, and the lie will either run away or it will wither and die. If they want to survive, we intend to make it in their own best interest to withdraw back into their churches where questioning their beliefs and their authority is just not done.

You might note that Christianity is not in any way threatened by abortion rights,^° but the social Hierarchy and its leaders definitely are.

Ref: The Pro-Life Leaders Are NOT Pro-life^°

Ten of the Most Basic Truths About Abortion°

Winning Is a Process: Anything done in space requires time. Everything is a process. This is also true of the pro-choice vision. Hold the vision and ask" "What small step can I take today that will move me closer to my goal?" Avoid expecting huge changes to occur all at once. The step-at-a-time process is called Kaizen.°

8)	No Victims: There are no victims, only unconscious creators.

Apply the Universal Laws: Consciously and intentionally apply the Three Universal Laws of Creation.° These laws apply at all times, in all place, to all manifestations , regardless of who is doing the manifesting, and regardless of the purity of demonic intentions of the manifestor. Because "The Universe" is quite literal, these laws are always a part of every manifestation. They apply even when the creating is done unconsciously, unintentionally, or accidentally.

If you are not familiar with these eight principles, please take time out from reading this proposal familiarize yourself with of the power of intentional creation that you have at your disposal.

You can find the eight principles described on our Personal Success Coaching Web Site.° Read Section Four, The Power of Manifestation (Intentional Creation Techniques) from the book, How to Eat an Elephant.^® The web site address is: http://www.joy101.org/book-content-04.html.°

Applying the Rules:

How to apply these rules is detailed below and on other pages of this web site.

(e) The Pro-Truth Team In Action:

In keeping with the Pro-Truth Team's pro-active stance, we are not waiting for anybody else to see our light. We are presently in the process of developing our public speaking teams. We offer an open invitation to inspired individuals,° and other pro-choice groups to join with us.

In that regard, we are looking for people who are strongly pro-choice and are also willing to speak publicly as part of our team. (See the details below.) The focus of our public form is “Abortion as a Religious Freedom Issue.” ° If you know of anyone to whom this may be of interest, please ask him or her to contact us.

Your participation in and your feedback regarding this project are both invited and welcomed. Please contact us. Send us an E-mail° with your thoughts and opinions.

.Plan. .Plan. ...

(f) The Pro-Truth Team Action Plan:

The Pro-Truth Team is proposing that the pro-choice organizations join forces and create a public relations association.

The association would not infringe upon the rights of (nor in any way interfere with) the present activities of the member organizations.

The Purpose:

The association's purpose would be to launch an assault on the false, self-righteous foundation that lies hidden under the anti-abortion movement. (For an example, see the page titled: Challenge the Church.°)

How to accomplish this goal is described below. The association would present a consistent, persistent message from a cohesive, unified front focused primarily on the freedom of religion approach to preserving reproductive rights.

The association could greatly enhance the success of the pro-choice movement for several reasons.

Here are two of the main benefits. First, by working together, an association can create far more and be infinitely more effective than individual organizations ever could be when using only their separate efforts. Second the spokespersons will be specifically and especially trained for this task.

Trained Speakers:

Because speaking the freedom of religion message requires a rather specialized approach and requires specific knowledge regarding the anti-abortionists' behavior and their views of reality, the spokespersons will be specifically and thoroughly trained in this regard. In addition the speakers will be highly skilled professionals in the art of making public presentations. Theatrical talents, such as being good at improvisation and extemporaneous speaking, would also provide significant advantages. The speakers will combine these skills and present the religious freedom approach to preserving women’s reproductive rights in as many public forums as possible.

A consistent Message:

These public presenters could be the spokespersons for a vast network of pro-choice organizations and could also coordinate the messages that the individual organizations put out so there is a steady, consistent attack on the credibility and the believability of the no-choice peddlers.

_________________________

This is not to belittle or in any way put down those presently speaking the pro-choice voice. Rather it is to enhance those voices by making them far more effective. Obviously, what the association did and how it functioned would be a co-creation of the association members.

(g) What to Avoid:

Avoid talking about the pros and cons of abortions.

You will not change the minds of anyone committed enough to engage in a debate. This raises an obvious question, “Why are you even speaking to them? The answer is “You're not!” As was just noted above, you are speaking to the uninformed, the misinformed, and to youths.

Avoid condemning or judging the opposing speakers.

Although it's hard to remember in the heat of an argument or a debate, it's advisable to leave judgmental and negative energy out of the discussion. A good way to do this is by remembering the anti-abortion speakers, like you and me, are fellow human beings. They simply hold a very different view of reality.

Unfortunately, others on the stage may not share this attitude. Because he (or she) with the lowest level of ethics sets the tone of the debate, there may be times when you will be required to get down and dirty with your opponent. If you don't respond with a challenge to their ethics, they'll bury you in their sewage. So if you need to play dirty, do so. Just don't get emotionally hooked in to the situation and don't take yourself or your opponent too seriously.

(h) Four-Person Speaking Teams:

The Speakers:

Rather than one individual speaking by her/himself, most of the associations public presentations will be done utilizing four-person teams - - two on the public eye and two behind the scene. The actual public speaking would be done by two people skilled at being in front of an audience and skilled at working as a team, preferably one male and one female.

Why? First, because a skilled team can be far more effective at presenting the pro-choice message than a single person speaking by her/himself. Second, the gender balance would assist in getting the public to understand that abortion is a people issue and not just a woman's issue.

Functioning as a team would also provides significant psychological advantages. Those advantages are discussed in detail in the full text of this proposal. We have a speaker training program° set up and a professional instructor who will teach, coach, and advise our speakers.

Logistics and Backup:

Because the speakers can be more effective if they focus completely on their presentations, each team would have a third member who would be physically with them and whose job would be to handle everything that was not directly related to the actual speaking. The logistics person would deal with such things as travel arrangements, meals, and anything else that could distract the speakers from their task. Prior to their appearance, the assistant would also provide the speakers with an overview of the setting, information about the audience being addressed, and a description of the other speakers.

Behind the Behind the Scene:

During the actual presentation, the third team member would have immediate access via telephone and computer to the fourth team member, an association research staff person who would be available to provide immediate answers to questions that arose during the public presentations. The two public presenters would be in constant communication (via earphones) with the behind-the-scene person the same way that on-camera TV news reporters are connected to their off camera news directors.

Pertinent information could be brought to the attention of the speakers and, if appropriate, brought into the discussion. The Association's research staff would have access to statistics and other relevant information that could be immediately relayed to the speakers by way of the off-stage team member.

The research staff members would also have previously provided the data files about the other people appearing in the presentations. The purpose of these data file is to have available any relevant facts about the other speakers, such as a list of their previous public statements.

Responsibility:

The association could establish several such teams, assume responsibility for their training, and coordinate their efforts.

(i) A Speaking Strategy:

The words, the ideas, and the examples included below are not intended to be used exactly as they are presented here. They are designed to inspire your creativity and to spark your imagination so that the words you actually do speak in a public forum are the passionate expressions from your own heart.

For those who are already versed in facing the no-choice speakers, some of what is written below will seem elementary. Please bear with us, because there a many for whom these are new ideas.

____________

Now we know why we are speaking, to whom we are speaking, and what to avoid. We've set the context, defined the playing field, and determined our intention.

Let's turn our attention to an actual public presentation.

.Agreements Agreements ....

(j) Find Points of Agreement:

In any discussion, begin by looking for as many points as possible where you and the anti-choice debater are in agreement. For an example of this, see the page titled: A New Approach to Saving Innocent Lives.°

The Goal here is twofold: first, to acknowledge your areas of agreement; and second, to put the anti-choice people in a position where later you can challenge their hypocrisy. Do this by getting them to agree to as many basic fundamental principles as possible. Each time they agree to a principle, that limits their options so their future responses must fit within that to which they have already agreed.

Here are some of the areas where you can usually get their agreement

We are here to discuss the question,
“Should abortion be legal?”

Our mutual goal is saving the lives of innocent children.

At this early stage in the discussion, avoid getting into details, particularly about this agreement because there's a significant difference in between the innocent lives each of you is intending to save.

We’re both loving, caring people who want
the best for all concerned.

A few of the most militant may not want the best for all, but they’ll be hard pressed to say anything else. If they do, that exposes their hypocrisy.

We both believe in freedom of religion.

We both believe honor the United States Constitution, and
believe in the separation of church and state.

(k) Expose Their Fundamental Beliefs:

Encourage them to make numerous statements about their beliefs. You can later call on them to prove these beliefs. You can also ask about the rights of the millions who hold different beliefs. Here are a few examples:

They believe the Christian Bible is the word of God and the only word of God. To these people, all other religious texts are not sacred texts, they are simply mythology.

If you are willing to look at sacred books in a larger context, you can easily agree with them that the Christian Bible is the word of God. It's just not the only divinely inspired book in the world.

They believe they have exclusive access to God. They believe that their Christian teachings are the only word of God.

You can later confront their limited view of reality by focusing of the freedom of religion issue, so whenever possible encourage them to make as many religious declarations as you can.

They believe in the Bible and literally follow its teachings.

This is one of your greatest tools. Why? Because there are numerous contradiction in the Bible. There are numerous activities condoned in ancient society that just don't make sense in our present day.

There are also numerous passages that they completely ignore. Whenever possible get them to declare that the bible is to be literally interpreted. You can later them in knots with this one. We'll share details of how to do this later in our discussion.

Their Statement Limit Their Options:

If they’ve agreed freedom of religion is everybody’s birthright, that limits their legitimate responses to actions that honor religious freedom.

If they’ve agreed that separation of church and state is appropriate in the United States, then that limits their legitimate responses to actions that honor separation of church and state.

If they’ve agreed that the Christian Bible is the word of God and that they believe in and follow the teaching of the Bible, that limits their legitimate responses to actions that conform to Biblical teachings.

_____________

You’ll find that the no-choice leaders are masters at saying one thing and doing something else. Our goal is to make them either practice what they preach or stop preaching.

(l) Appeal to Emotion:

Some people believe that the technique of using emotional appeal (such as showing audiences the pictures mentioned below) is inappropriate -- that it is stooping to the level of the opposite side -- that it's cheap, and manipulative -- that it's immoral and wrong -- that instead, we should stick to logic and reason which is overwhelmingly on the pro-choice side. Perhaps they are correct; however, before you pass judgment on what is right or wrong here, please read the section titled. "The Ethics of Lying to a Liar" on our sister website, http://www.truth101.org.° The address is: http://www.truth101.org/vs-violence.html#The-Ethics-of-Lying-to-a-Liar°

_____________

Rather than speaking logic and reason, appeal to emotion. For example, in real estate they say, "Sell the benefit not the feature." and use this analogy: a fenced yard does not sell a house, but a safe place for the children to play does.

The Anti-abortionists are masters at eliciting emotion. They use emotion for two reasons: First, when you pit logic and reason against emotion, emotion wins almost every time. Second, they have nothing else. When you look closely at what the anti-abortion leaders are actually doing, logic and reason shows them to be highly destructive fantasy peddlers.

In the area of eliciting emotions, use the anti-abortionists as your role models, but be sure to role model how they operate and not what they actually do. Please stay away from anything unethical or illegal. Watch them. Emulate them. Think up ways that pro-choice can increase its emotional appeal. Here are a couple of examples of how to add emotion to the pro-choice cause.

Animals Facing Extinction

Bring to the discussion pictures of baby animals of species that are in danger of becoming extinct, such as tigers and panda bears. Bring a large picture of an orangutan and another of a gorilla in which the animals were looking directly at the camera when the picture was taken. Hold the pictures up and say, "Condemning these animals to extinction is standard policy for the Anti-abortionists. They actually call this behavior pro-life." Repeat the tag line: "They may be pro-embryo, but they certainly are not pro-life."

Starving and Dying Children

Bring to the discussion pictures of abandoned, neglected, dying children - - children where the parents simply can't care for still another child. Hold the picture up and say, "Abandoning these children to misery, disease, starvation and death is standard policy for the Anti-abortionists. They call this behavior pro-life." Repeat the tag line: "They may be pro-embryo, but they certainly are not pro-life."

Follow the above pattern with pictures of murdered doctor, burned down clinics, and other pictures that clearly show the true nature of the anti-abortion leaders. (Be sure to maintain the distinction between the anti-abortion leaders and their followers.)

And again, if you believe using this tactic is wrong, offensive, or immoral, do not use it. Why? Because engaging in any activity that violates your own personal beliefs is both counter-productive and self destructive. Don't do it!

When you think of some additional ways to increase the emotional appeal of the pro-choice message, please contact us° so that we can share your ideas with others.

(m) Ask Leading Questions:

Ask questions where, no matter what they answer, you can point out either their anti-social behavior or their hypocrisy.

An Example:

Ask: “Do you believe we should follow the laws even if we disagree with them?” If they say yes you can later ask: If you believe in law and order, why do you support encourage, condone or engage in violence, vandalism, arson, and murder?

If they say no, then say, “So you are telling us every person should have the right to violate any laws they disagree with? That’s anarchy. Is that what you are proposing?” Pause after this type of question. Wait for their answer.

You can also ask, “Which laws should be followed? Who makes that determination?”

Lead them down this type of blind alley and then leave them there with a statement like: “That’s OK, I won’t engage in criminal behavior or violate you in any way. But you might want to take heed of the Bible. Do you recall Jesus saying, 'As you sow, so shall you reap.'?”

How will you feel when what you've been sowing (and what you've been encouraging others to do) comes back knocking on your own front door? Are you ready for that? Or is it that you really don’t believe in the Bible?”

If I gave a stranger a list of the activities that the anti-anti-abortion leaders like yourself have been supporting or engaging in and asked, "Would you attribute these tactics to Jesus or to Hitler?" What do you suppose his answer would be? Turn to the audience and read the list of anti-choice tactics.°

If you get a militant response such as "I’ll sacrifice myself to save innocent lives," respond with surprise and ask how he manages to be so absolutely confident that he has the full truth. Say something like, “Humans have a long and bloody history of political, religious and personal human errors. Since nobody else has or ever has had all the answers, I wonder how you can be so absolutely sure of you do?" Point out the history of Christian dogmatic errors, like declaring the Earth to be flat, burning witches, etc. (See Acknowledge Having Made Mistakes° further down on this page)

More examples:

For additional examples, see the section in part three, Constantly Ask Questions°

(n) Distinguish the Shepherd
from the Flock:

The anti-abortion leaders appropriately call their followers sheep. This analogy is frequently used in the Christian Bible. It probably stems from the fact that most people do not think for themselves. Like sheep, they simply follow the leaders.

Acknowledge and praise those who are the followers.

Thank them for their love, their kindness, their generosity, and for their dedication to what they believe is right. Then point out that the actual result of the anti-choice campaign is quite different° from the story they’re being told. Your goal is to get them to doubt their leaders.

Do not condemn their leaders.

Instead question the antics of the leaders. For examples, see the section in part three, Constantly Ask Questions

(o) Acknowledge Having Made Mistakes:

The goal here is to plant in the minds of your audience seeds of: "How to think for yourself" and "How to be honest with yourself."

Anti-choice theology is strongly fear-based. The leaders have used Biblical passages like Matthew 5:28° to program their sheep into believing even thinking about lust or anything considered bad is the same as actually doing it. The sheep have been programmed to believe that mistakes can get them excluded from the flock and condemned to hell forever more so they're not inclined to question a religious authority or to make any unnecessary decisions. That way they are reasonably certain not to accidentally make a big mistake that could result in the unthinkable - - banishment.

You're role modeling a new behavior for many in your audience, so present your message to the audience in a very soft and subtle manner. (For those of you who are already fully aware of fundamental statements like this, please bear with us.)

A Sample Dialog:

Ask this question: “Have you ever made a mistake?” They’ll obviously answer yes. Then ask, “While you were being wrong, did you know you were wrong?” Remain silent until you get an answer. When they answer, confirm their answer by repeating it back to them. (Use gentle mannerisms and an understanding and accepting voice tone.)

Then ask, “Did you ever believe something to be true that you later found out was false?" If they say no, ask them if they ever believed in Santa Claus. If they still say no, offer sympathy for their deprived childhood.

(“So you’ve never ridden a magic horse, or slain a mythical dragon, or walked through wonderland with Alice? How sad. But it seems as if you do believe in fairy tales, otherwise you wouldn’t be peddling the anti-abortion fairy tale.” Pause, look sad, and question: “You do know the anti-abortion campaign is based on fairy tales, don’t you?”) Whatever the response is be gentle, sympathetic and then move on without further comment.

Then ask, “Is it possibly you could be wrong about some thing you now believe." Again, wait for an answer. If they don’t answer, use hand gestures and facial expressions that signal them to answer. If they still don’t answer, ask the question again verbally and then wait silently for as long as it takes to get an answer. This is a debater's stand off. In this type of situation, he who speaks first loses.

Expose Your Soul:

When the conversation continues, project a casual introspective demeanor and acknowledge that you make numerous mistakes.

Acknowledge your private times when you sit and think about all kinds of things in your life and wonder if you are really doing the right thing. Acknowledge that you constantly speak to God and ask, “What is the right thing for me to do?” °

If it’s possible to keep this train of thought moving, then add something like this: “Because I hear so many conflicting stories - - so many people telling me what to do, I have to stop listening to others and seek my own answers. I listen for answers that come to me directly from the God that speaks in my heart by causing me to feel good when I’m doing what I believe is right and to feel bad when doing what I believe is not right.

Pause for a moment, look thoughtful, then say, “I know the idea of right and wrong also has lots of different answers, so before I actually take action I consider all the consequences of my actions. I also tend to give much stronger consideration to actions that can be corrected if and when they turn out to be in error."

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Remember, you’re being a role model and, in this example, you are role-modeling thinking for yourself. Again, the dialog above is given as an example only. Because every situation is different, you’ll be required to think in the moment. After a while you’ll develop your own style, a style in which you'll feel natural and at ease regardless of the external circumstances.

(p) Go to Source:

Ignore the symptoms and focus on the source of the problem. In this case, the source of the problem is the fraudulent, immoral, self-righteous foundation that lies hidden under the anti-abortion movement. The entire anti-abortion campaign is based on this false foundation. Our job is to expose it to the light of open questioning and allow truth to prevail, regardless of where that truth leads us.

Fighting a Fire:

When a fireman is putting out a fire he (or she) doesn’t spray the water at the flames. He directs the water at the base of the flames- - at the source of the flames.

Demolishing a House:

Think of the anti-abortion movement as if it were a big house built on a sand foundation. You can beat on the house all day long and it probably won’t fall, but if you steadily and persistently wash sand out from under the house, it's only a matter of time before it will fall in on itself.

Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to ignore the house and undermine the foundation. In addition to the public speaking skills, what's required in order to successfully do that?

1) knowing the mindset of the anti-abortionists and

2) understanding the foundation upon which they’ve built their house (their campaign).

These requirements are discussed in great detail in

Understanding the Anti-Abortionist's Mentality°

and in

How to Talk to an Anti-Abortionist.°