Dear friends of life and family:
A warm welcome to all new subscribers to "Called and Encouraged," especially to the many students from the University of St. Thomas! I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit.
A few years ago, my colleague Chadd Inglish encouraged me to purchase a subscription to First Things. I have been richly rewarded by this recommendation, and certainly the November issue is no exception. In particular, I was moved by Nicholas DiFonzo's opinion piece "Changing Minds, Saving Lives." DiFonzo presents a compelling case for how best to change minds and hearts of those who are pro-abortion so as to save the lives of the innocent unborn children so vulnerable in our society today.
Here I'd like to share and explore some of his suggestions while adding my own observations.
DiFonzo begins with the admonition that there is a difference between the propagandist and the persuader. To be a propagandist is beneath the pro-life apostolate because the hope of the propagandist is that "you will not think too carefully." Ultimately, propaganda diminishes a person's ability to think. To engage in propaganda is futile "because minds changed by propaganda can easily be changed by better propaganda." Rather, we are called to change the thinking of our interlocutors as we invite him or her to consider the truth we present. DiFonzo offers the following strategies.
1. We need to battle misinformation about the nature of abortion, and specifically the results that would follow if greater restrictions were placed on abortion. DiFonzo notes that when "pro-choice students - and pro-choicers in general - think about making abortion illegal, they base their decision on subjective judgments that bad things will happen if it is made illegal [ex. back alley abortions]...This suggests that pro-life attempts to persuade them might fruitfully focus on countering their judgments about the effects of the action or about the value they place on it, or both." We live in the midst of a world that evaluates the moral quality of an act based upon its consequences. While this (consequentialism or proportionalism) is a faulty ethical system, it only makes sense to deflate the impression that back alley abortions will become rampant and that the rights of women will become trampled on wholesale if abortion were no longer considered a legal right.
2. DiFonzo observes that studies show those who are pro-choice are less aware of challenges to their position than are pro-lifers. This makes them more susceptible to thoughtful challenges to their pro-choice views. The recent video that surfaced in which Planned Parenthood representatives uttered numerous shockingly incoherent thoughts when their peer debaters presented scientific evidence about when life begins is a great example. With this susceptibility in mind, a strategy of persuasion should include "multiple simple challenges...that are unlikely to have been considered." DiFonzo calls to the readers attention, studies have shown that this is effective strategy at changing minds.
3. A person's position on abortion involves more than facts and knowledge; it also involves his personal, emotional, and social aspects. Arguments and attempts at persuasion are unlikely to change the mind of a person who feels threatened. Abby Johnson's recent conversion is a prominent example of the fruit borne from taking a non-threatening approach. Though abortion is despicable, we should be careful not to demonize those who are pro-choice. DiFonzo notes, "in attempts at persuasion it is important to take into account underlying defensive motivations. One cannot ignore defensive sentiments and rely solely on cognitive challenges or logic." Minds and hearts must be changed, and they are more likely to be changed if the truth is spoken with love for both the innocent child and the supporter of abortion.
4. Target specific demographics with the pro-life message. The pro-life movement has many such examples, including Feminists for life, Students for Life, and Faculty for Life. Belonging to one of these allows one to keep much of her identity while also giving her the conviction that one can be both a feminist and pro-life, for example. Further, such an approach meets people where they are. Giving the feminist a "home" within the pro-life movement fosters a greater willingness to reconsider the commitment to abortion that seemed to go hand in hand with her feminism. According to DiFonzo, such strategies permit "people to maintain core identities that are too important to them to change, while changing some particular beliefs."
5. Never underestimate the effect of "staying the course." Being consistently stalwart in our defense of the unborn is one of the most effective means of persuading pro-choicers. "Consistency despite the cost," DiFonzo notes, "and an appeal to common values, caused Americans to consider the issue more deeply. A courageous witness proves to be the greatest persuasion." Indeed, we have seen a number of social evils overcome over the centuries due, in part, to the advocates' faithfulness and commitment.
Nicholas DiFonzo's essay in First Things is an excellent read and a helpful reminder that engaging in effective pro-life persuasion - not propaganda - is most likely to win the day for the unborn. Naturally, his observations can and should be applied to other areas of the pro-life movement - contraception, end of life issues, conscience rights and many others. We each are called and encouraged, for the sake of all who are innocent and vulnerable, to persuade with truth and with charity.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Arland K. Nichols
National Director, HLI America
