Counter the Pro-abortion Lobby with Calls to State Senators

The pro-abortion groups will be taking petitions tomorrow to the Governor at 4:00 pm and then rallying on the Halifax Mall as part of the so called "Moral Mondays" at 5:00 pm. They are trying to convince the Governor that their position against our pro-life bills is the majority position.

Pro-lifers need to take ACTION. Beginning tomorrow, call Senator Apodaca (919-733-5745), the chair of the committees where the pro-life bills are waiting to be heard, and your own state senators to ask them to bring up our pro-life bills for a vote. Our pro-life bills represent the views of the majority of the North Carolinians. (We have the polls to prove it.) Ask them not to cave into the extreme views of a vocal minority.

The time is short, the need is great, and the lives of many depend on the energy and resolve of the pro-life grassroots. Please post on Facebook and tweet this several times so your friends and family will see it.

 

Read Barbara Holt's Op Ed in the News and Observer:

Pro-lifers are used to being told that we cannot legislate morality or that efforts to end abortion are imposing our morality on others. Now we have NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the pro-abortion PAC, Lillian’s List of NC, joining the so called “Moral Mondays” crowd. They are trying to push their own version of morality, which is totally out of step with the morality of the people of this state.

READ MORE

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/21/2980743/pro-life-bills-take-the-moral.html#storylink=cpy

Another Pro-life Victory!

On Tuesday, June 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act by a vote of 228-196. This legislation proposes to ban abortions after the beginning of the sixth month of pregnancy, or 20 weeks post-fertilization age, at which stage the unborn child can feel pain.

In numerous studies, medical evidence demonstrates that the unborn respond to touch at very early ages, and that by 20 weeks post-fertilization, everything a person needs to feel pain is in place. During an abortion late in a mother’s pregnancy, the baby, who does not receive any kind of pain medication or anesthesia, feels everything the abortionist does to her. Indeed, doctors believe the baby might feel more pain than an adult would in the same situation. Just as an infant is much more sensitive to pain than an older child or adult, the unborn child has not had time to develop tolerance to pain.  

This bill, H.R. 1797, would effectively forbid all abortions after 20 weeks fertilization except those in the cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is endangered. After the trial and conviction of Kermit Gosnell, more people have become aware of the horror of abortion, and H.R. 1797 is one outcome of this increased awareness. Should the bill become law, lives would be saved from painful deaths, mothers would be protected from dangerous late abortions, and fewer Gosnells would be in practice.

North Carolinians should be especially proud of their pro-life representatives who voted in favor of the bill: Representatives Renee Ellmers (R-2), Walter Jones (R-3), Virginia Foxx (R-5), Howard Coble (R-6), Mike McIntyre (D-7), Richard Hudson (R-8), Robert Pittenger (R-9), Patrick McHenry (R-10), Mark Meadows (R-11), and George Holding (R-13). Please contact your representatives and thank them for their support!

While one victory is always worth celebrating, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act still needs to pass in the Senate, after which it faces a likely veto by President Obama. Thank Senator Burr for being a co sponsor of the senate bill and ask his support for the House version.  Ask Senator Hagan to support H. R. 1797.  Make your call today to let your U.S. Senators know that you support life!

Five Reasons You Should Come to Camp Joshua

1. All the cool kids are doing it

Everyone at Camp Joshua is going to be there because they’re passionate about life issues and want to learn more. Where else will you meet like-minded teens from all over North Carolina? You’re going to make friends that will last a lifetime, and they’ll be a great support network for those times you get discouraged by the tragedy of abortion (but also when you need someone to celebrate a victory with you!).  

2. Learn from the experts

At Camp Joshua, you will learn about all kinds of life issues like abortion, euthanasia, and stem cell research from experienced pro-lifers. They are so excited to share their knowledge with enthusiastic teens like you!

3. It’s fun

Who doesn’t want to go to summer camp? Bring your friends and enjoy time away from home with lots of people your own age! It’s not all fun and games, of course, but in between workshops there will be lots of time for crafts, movies, outdoor games, and other activities.

4. Learn to be effective pro-life activists

Where else can you learn how to be a teen activist? Camp Joshua is geared towards you and other people your age, so we’ll have lots of advice for how to get involved in your schools and communities.

5. The world needs you

We live in a culture that values “quality of life” rather than LIFE. Our world’s unborn children, people with disabilities, terminally ill patients, and elderly adults need your voices to speak for them! While you will be told that you are the future leaders of the pro-life movement, you are leaders now! Camp Joshua is a good, safe environment for you to practice using your voice for the vulnerable among us, and you can take these skills out into the world. 

Fifteen Ways to be More Pro-Life This Summer

Happy Summer! How are you going to celebrate? Beach trips, cookouts, and time with friends and family are great ways to spend the warmer months, but it’s also a good time to get more involved in your community. We’ve put together a list of fifteen things you can do to make a difference in the pro-life movement this summer. Enjoy!

1.  Go to the National Right to Life Convention

Feel like traveling? The annual NRL Convention will be in Dallas, Texas from June 27-29. Meet other dedicated pro-lifers, choose from dozens of educational workshops, and be inspired by the many pro-life warriors in attendance!

2. Join a chapter (or start one!)

Did you know there are local chapters on NCRTL all over the state? Becoming a member is a great way to stay involved with North Carolina’s pro-life activities. If there isn’t a chapter in your area, consider starting one!

                                                                          3. Donate

Yes, your money does make a difference! Donations to NCRTL’s Education Fund are tax deductible and help us spread the pro-life message across the state.  Alternately, pregnancy centers are always in need of new or gently used baby clothes and items, as well as diapers and formula. Look in the phonebook under “Abortion Alternatives” to find one in your area.  If you do not need a tax deduction, you should give to the fund that helps NC Right to Life advocate for pro-life legislation both in DC and Raleigh.

                                                     

4. Volunteer

The gift of your time is always welcome! Pregnancy centers are often in need of volunteers to counsel expectant mothers, sort through donations, answer the phone, or do some light cleaning.

5.  Call your legislators

The legislature is still in session, which means pro-life bills are still up for debate! Call your elected officials and tell them you support pro-life legislation. If you know they are pro-life, thank them for their support. You can also sign up for alerts for up-to-date news about the progress of our legislation.

6. Camp Joshua

Teenagers are passionate about the pro-life movement, and our summer camp is a great way for them to be involved! Your high school students will come home educated and inspired to be pro-life leaders in their communities.  Registration is open at campjoshuanc.org. College students and young adults who are interested in being counselors for the weekend should contact Erin at ncrtl.erin@gmail.com.

7. Be an Advertisement

Sometimes you only have to walk out the door to make an impact. Put on your favorite pro-life T-shirt or precious feet pin, or maybe slap a bumper sticker on your car. If you don’t have any pro-life paraphernalia, contact our office and we’ll see what we can do!

8.  Use Social Media
Following North Carolina Right to Life on Twitter, “liking” us on Facebook, and reading our blog take just minutes and are easy ways to show support, receive updates, and stay informed. 

9. Pray

If you do nothing else this summer, pray for the safety of the unborn, their mothers, and the elderly. Pray for an end to abortion and the culture of death. Pray for the men and women who work in the abortion facilities and the men and women affected by abortion. Do it at home, at church, at the abortion facility, in the car. For regular intentions, sign up for Prayer Partners for Life.

10. Speak Up

Don’t be shy about having conversations about pro-life issues. Many people are genuinely interested in hearing the pro-life perspective even if they disagree with it. Keep your conversations friendly and factual, and remember that you’re a voice for the voiceless. How can we change hearts and minds if we are afraid to speak up? If you’re unsure of what to say, check out number 11.

11. Educate Yourself

It’s okay if you’re not an expert on fetal development or the problems with assisted suicide, but make sure you understand the basics. There are many great resources online to help you brush up on your pro-life know how. Check out NCRTL’s education page or visit National Right to Life’s website and browse the “Issue Info” section. These are both great places to start or broaden your pro-life education.

12. Educate Others

Write letters to the editor, post to your Facebook page, pin a link, or retweet about a timely pro-life topic.   You can find information at any of the resources mentioned in this list.

13.  Help Those in Need

Do you have an elderly neighbor who could use a hand with the yard work or a ride to the grocery store? The elderly in nursing homes oftentimes have no one to visit them, so check with your local nursing home to find out which residents need a visit. Maybe there’s a young mom at your church who could use an extra pair of hands at the park or a homemade meal in her freezer.  Being pro-life should be reflected in how we care for people of all ages!

14. Love Your Kids and Your Parents

We live in a culture that doesn’t always value children or the elderly, so it’s important that families act as witnesses to the beauty and value of life. Loving families can have profound effects on the culture. Show your kids you love them for who they are, and teach them the value of life. Care for your elderly parents so that your children will learn from you the value of every life even in the later years when our bodies and minds are failing us.

15. Love life!

If you don’t love life, how will you convince someone else to? 

Meet the 2013 Oratory Contest Winner

On Saturday, May 18th, North Carolina Right to Life hosted the annual pro-life oratory contest in Greensboro. Stephen Holly, a rising high school senior from Wake Forest, won the competition with his speech about abortion. He received a certificate, a pro-life T-shirt, and registration to Camp Joshua NC in July. 

Three members of the North Carolina Right to Life Board of Directors, Elaine McHale, Julie Scott Emmons, and Nancy J.R. Wells, served as judges for the oratory contest. 

Nancy J.R. Wells, Elaine McHale, Stephen Holly, & Julie Scott Emmons 

If you are interested in competing next year, email Erin at ncrtl.erin@gmail.com.

Gosnell's Conviction: Not the End of the Story

Last week brought the long-awaited “guilty” verdict of Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortionist who performed illegal late-term abortions under horrifying conditions. Medical examiners found that Gosnell routinely aborted babies older than 24 weeks, which is illegal in Pennsylvania; in addition, he frequently delivered the children alive and cut their necks to finish the process. Gosnell has been sentenced to life in prison for infanticide.

While it’s a relief to know that Gosnell will no longer be able to harm mothers and babies, there are still thousands of unborn children dying painful deaths during legal abortions every year.  Medical evidence shows us that unborn babies respond to touch by 8 weeks, and all the receptors necessary for feeling pain are in place by 20 weeks. Additionally, it’s likely that babies at this age have a higher sensitivity to pain than adults.  Gosnell was convicted because he severed the necks of live babies after he delivered them; during a legal late-term abortion, the abortionist kills the child within the womb by literally ripping her apart piece by piece. No matter which way the abortionist does it, the child suffers a great deal of pain during the abortion process.

These painful late-term abortions are far from uncommon. According to Guttmacher's fact sheet, in 2006 approximately 12% of abortions took place after 12 weeks of pregnancy (more recent statistics were not available). This means that an average of 144,000 unborn children die after the first trimester of pregnancy every year. Eighteen thousand abortions took place after 21 weeks, when the babies could definitely feel pain and would be considered viable outside the womb.

In North Carolina, abortions are legal during all stages of pregnancy. Up until 20 weeks, a mother may abort her child for any reason at a licensed facility or hospital. After 20 weeks, a mother’s life or health must be in question, and the abortion must take place within a licensed hospital. Although “health of the mother” sounds reasonable, in practice it means that if a mother wants an abortion, she will get one. In 2011, North Carolina residents had over 580 abortions past 16 weeks gestation.

Largely in response to the horrors brought to light by the Gosnell trial, a panel of the House Judiciary Committee is currently working on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797). This legislation would prohibit nationwide most abortions after 20 weeks gestation, when unborn children can definitely feel pain. After all, if babies born after 20 weeks can survive such a premature birth, shouldn’t they be protected from a violent, painful late-term abortion?  If people are outraged by Gosnell’s treatment of a 25-week-old preterm baby, shouldn’t they be equally outraged by an abortionist’s treatment of a 25-week-old unborn baby? These are the questions the Gosnell trial has raised.

To view a list of the current cosponsors of H. R. 1797 in the U. S. House and Senate and read more about the legislation, click here. 

Meet Our 2013 Academy Student!

North Carolina Right to Life is pleased to announce the 2013 Scholarship for Life recipient. William Moore is a rising senior at Guilford College, where he's majoring in Political Science with U.S. History and Economics minors. He is also the Guilford College Republicans chair and is an active leader of Guilford's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

As a scholarship recipient, Will's room and tuition at the National Right to Life Academy will be fully covered, but he is currently fundraising to help with the expenses not paid for by the scholarship, such as travel costs and food. 

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help Will with his expenses, please make a check to North Carolina Right to Life Education Fund with "William Moore" on the memo line. Mail checks to 

NCRTL

P.O. Box 9282

Greensboro, NC 27429-0282

Thank you for your support! The Right to Life Academy is a wonderful opportunity for college students interested in furthering their pro-life education.