Right to Life Radio

Josh describes an abortion debate he's having online with someone, who's using philosopher Eileen McDonagh's argument that the fetus is comparable to a rapist, implanting itself in the mother's body without consent, and that the mother has the right to refuse consent and repel the fetus like she would a rapist. How should pro-lifers respond to this fringe version of the bodily rights argument?

Includes caller questions and listener mail on heading off relativism at the start of a conversation, responding to pro-choice questions and Josh takes back something he said in an earlier podcast about ineffective biblical arguments!

1: How Josh's pro-life story started 2: How pro-lifers should use social networking (and how they shouldn't) 3: How can we activate pastors that are afraid of preaching clearly on abortion? 4: How did Life Report get started? 5: Is the pro-life battle a winnable war?

The Life Report team brings back a classic Life Report topic: pro-life bumper stickers. It quickly becomes a debate between Josh and Andrew on what the purpose of a pro-life bumper sticker should be, while Liz, as usual, mediates. Listener Competition: Create your own pro-life bumper sticker and email it to Josh. It can't be based on a bumper stick or slogan already in use. We'll vote on the best bumper sticker in a future episode and the winner will receive a $50 Best Buy gift card!

Guest Co-Host: Christina Dunigan, Pro-Life Researcher/Blogger http://realchoice.blogspot.com/ Caller 1: Isn't claiming that the aborting of disabled babies will shut down the Special Olympics a bad pro-life argument? 2: It seems like our government is turning a blind eye to abortion facilities with low health standard. Do you feel there will ever be a time when our government will take action on this issue? 3: I think it's a good idea to try to understand the motivations of pro-choice politicians. Listener Mail: Antonio from Portugal writes to us with some shocking excerpts about abortion from a sexuality textbook in Spain.

Live Action President Lila Rose and Media Director David Schmidt join Josh to discuss their latest project, IStandWithIndiana.org. They explain why Indiana is the "ground zero" of the abortion battle right now, discuss their project and Planned Parenthood's reaction to it. They then respond to listener comments & questions, from both pro-lifers and pro-choicers.

Note from Josh: Open Line runs through Skype, and Skype was apparently working very poorly the night we recorded this. Thus, the audio is pretty skippy. You can still follow what we're saying, but it's not nearly the same quality you're used to from Life Report. If you're willing to be patient with that, I think the content of this show will be helpful to you. From now on, we'll run a backup recording off our mixer so that if Skype acts stupid again, we can replace the audio straight from our board. Caller Questions: 1: "How would you respond to this pro-choice argument: 'DNA is like computer code, and many fetuses die before birth because their computer code malfunctions, so we really can't know if a fetus is human until it's born.'" 2: "I think the popular pro-life quote, 'abortion has killed one-fourth of our generation' is both a false statistic and a poor argument." Listener Mail Questions: 1: "Technically, 'abortion' is the termination of a pregnancy following, accompanied by, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. Because a) this can apply to miscarriages and b) it's the killing of the child, not the ending of the pregnancy, that we oppose, do you think it would behoove us to use a different word?" 2: "My friend wants to become an embryonic stem cell researcher. Is there any unique way you would discuss the issue of life with an abortion doctor or an embryonic stem cell researcher?" 3: "I was wondering, why some people would oppose reproductive cloning but not therapeutic/research cloning? It seems the one that doesn't kill people would be preferred."

The Life Report team responds to the concern that by exposing poor pro-life arguments, we are helping pro-choice people win debates with pro-lifers who use those arguments. Are we inadvertently equipping "the enemy?"

Guest Co-Host: Pro-Life Pastor Kristopher Mobbs. Includes listener questions on legislating morality, pro-life warning labels, the burning IVF lab scenario, and a pro-choice listener calls in to ask about whether women might be unjustly prosecuted for miscarriages if abortion becomes illegal.

The Life Report team responds to an email from a future Canadian pro-life apologist, who received an email from a post-abortive woman on Facebook who was offended by the pro-life stories he was posting. Topics covered: How to "know your audience" on Facebook Tips for effective pro-life dialogue online Customizing your pro-life Facebook posts so that your post-abortive or pro-choice friends won't see them

Josh presents this question for the panel: "In one-on-one abortion dialogue situations, should pro-lifers help pro-choicers make better arguments?" This is easily one of the most controversial topics we've ever debated. Comment below and give us your thoughts! Wondering why Andrew is in Kyle's old chair? We discussed this at the beginning of our first Open Line show.

Special guest Jason Jones is back for a second episode! Questions for Jason: 1: How does "Whole Life" take a unique approach to pro-life activism? 2: What does Jason mean that the pro-life movement needs to change Hollywood, and how can we do it? 3: How can pro-lifers change the culture through art? 4: What activities can pro-life clubs on college campuses do that will change their culture?

Jason Jones, producer at Metanoia Films, which includes "Bella," comes to the studio to take on the Life Report Questionnaire. Check back next week to see part 2 of Jason's interview, where we discuss how pro-lifers can use art to create a culture of life.

Questions from Live Listeners: 1: "Would [using the word genocide] derail the conversation from abortion, and would you spend an unnecessary amount of time defending yourself?" 2: "Is there a statistical link showing an increase in attempted suicides by post-abortive women?"

It's the tenth part of our popular "Responding to Pro-Life Lies Video" series. The video lists 55 "pro-life lies" she's heard, and in this series, we're responding to them all! (And pro-lifers are often surprised by our stance on some of these!) Here are the 4 "pro-life lies" we respond to in this episode: 1: "Teens who give birth are giving the gift of life." 2: "Pregnancy builds character." 3: "Abortion is worse than the Holocaust." 4: "Abortion is worse than slavery."

It's Life Report's first lightning round episode! We're reviewing our popular "Responding to Pro-Life Lies Video" series, which we are most of the way through, but that was before the TV show started. To review, Josh picks 11 of the 36 "pro-life lies" that we've already discussed on the show. To catch up on this series, visit http://prolifepodcast.net/category/pro-life-lies-video. Here are the 16 statements we quickly respond to in this episode: "Partial birth abortion is cruel." "The Bible says abortion is wrong." "Planned Parenthood is racist." "Abstinence-only education will prevent abortion." "A third of our generation is missing." "Fetuses can breathe." "A woman is someone who can give birth." "Women who abort are sluts." "All women regret abortion." "Women who abort don't use birth control." "No one would consider abortion after having children." "Women are meant to have babies." "The heart beats, therefore it is wrong to kill it." "An aborted child could have cured cancer." "Back-alley abortions are a myth." "Abortion is malicious."

The Life Report team discusses the new website, ThanksAbortion.com, as well as their controversial t-shirts. Afterwards, Josh shares a story of walking up to some pro-life activists at Fresno City College and pretending to be pro-choice. Learn what common mistake the activists made while debating Josh. Listener Mail: 1: British listener on why this podcast has been helpful to him, and the status of abortion rights in the UK. 2: How do you do pro-life work without getting down in the dumps?

Our fans have asked for more "war stories" from our dialogues with pro-choice people. Josh brings a story of a conversation with a staunch abortion supporter. He talks about several mistakes he made, and also what unusual tactics Josh used that lead to the woman becoming changing her mind!

The show starts with Kyle confessing to an addiction to a massive online multiplayer Lord of the Rings game. Hilarity ensues. We get the chance to correct faulty logic from both sides of the abortion debate in this episode. We go from pro-life YouTube commenters stating that a CGI animation of fetal development is "proof that life begins at conception" to Planned Parenthood volunteers declaring war on science in a public debate.

Liz starts the show expressing her concern that we came across too harsh against the pro-life sidewalk counselors in the last episode. After clarifying our feelings about that, we transition to the question of how pro-lifers should respond to severe fetal deformity. Pro-choicers point to children that will die within hours of birth as a case that proves abortion should be available. What are the most effective ways to respond? We answer that in this show, which is also the most emotional show we've ever recorded.

I've done a lot of radio interviews, but I don't enjoy any of them as much as I enjoy the never-ending banter between myself and Ken Adams at KRDU. I posted an MP3 of an interview with Ken last year, and it was the 5th most popular MP3 of the year. What's different this year? Neither Ken or myself held back! Topics include: 1. Why I started the podcast 2. Faulty pro-life arguments 3. Does my show ever offend pro-lifers? 4. Does it bothers me when it does? 5. What does it mean practically to be an ambassador for Christ? 6. How did we make the transition to broadcast television? 7. How can religious TV broadcasting become more youth friendly? 8. How can we sum up the pro-life position in 10 seconds? 9. Should we use Bible verses during conversations with atheists about abortion and stem cell research? 10. How did turning the podcast into a TV series change the show?

The Life Report team responds to a viral video of an aborting dad confronting two pro-life protestors outside of an abortion facility.

We start by introducing the new show as well as Andrew, our new co-host, who is replacing Kyle. Caller #1: Parental notification absurdity. Caller #2: "What do you think about the strategy of passing state personhood amendments?" We close by discussing Josh's viral article, warning pro-lifers to stay on topic when debating the morality of abortion.

David Lee from Justice For All takes on the Life Report Questionnaire. Highlight: David's answer after I asked him what to say to pro-lifers that think using Stand to Reason's "Ambassador for Christ" model is playing it too nice with pro-choicers...

Josh welcomes their new KNXT audience and briefly introduces the show and cast. Afterwards, the Life Report team discusses a Sun Magazine article about a British woman who had 4 abortions in 3 years. A critical analysis is also made of the pro-life and pro-choice response to the article. We close by explaining how YOU can use this story in dialogues with pro-choice people.

Trent Horn from Justice For All join us to answer the question, "are the unborn organisms?" Trent answers the questions: - What differentiates a living human embryo from other living human tissue like cancer cells? - How do you respond when someone says "an organism must be a separate, independent entity?" - A new pro-choice argument is that an organism must be able to direct its own growth, but an embryo requires the mother's RNA to do this. How do you respond? Pro-life advocates would be wise to learn how to respond to these questions, as they are coming up more and more often. Listener Mail: "Why do you think the area of in vitro fertilization is so often ignored by the pro-life movement? What should pro-lifers be doing about IVF, and why?"

Trent Horn sits in for Kyle, joining Josh and Liz in a discussion about whether pro-lifers should encourage censorship of pro-choice activities.

Trent Horn from Justice For All is in studio to conclude our discussion about the ultimate pro-choice argument: bodily rights. In this episode, Trent refutes the "right to refuse" argument, and then exposes several poor arguments pro-lifers sometimes make attempting to refute "right to refuse." We close by responding to some listener mail on the topic of bodily rights arguments.

This was our second attempt at sticking to a strict time format where the closing music came on automatically and we had to wrap up before the voice over comes on. Listen to what REALLY happened when we nailed the ending perfectly.

Trent Horn from Justice For All is in studio the next two episodes to discuss the ultimate pro-choice argument: bodily rights. Trent has spent the last year creating new ways for pro-lifers to understand and approach this argument. In today's episode, Trent helps us understand the two types of bodily rights arguments, and refutes the first and most common version.

Josh starts the show by talking about a poor philosophical argument against abortion that hasn't been covered on Life Report before: "abortion is wrong because it hurts the economy." Listener Mail: 1. "Would it be legal to do in vitro fertilization, but ask for only male embryos to be implanted?" 2. "I commented on a pro-choice video on YouTube, but I think I came off kind of jerky. Can you tell me what I could have done better?"

PG-13 WARNING: While female genital mutilation is never described in this episode, the concept in general is very difficult, and we would recommend parental discretion if young children are around. In this episode, Josh shares a recent debate about U.S. policy on female genital mutilation, and how this story can be used by pro-lifers when discussing back-alley abortions. This may turn out to be one of the strongest pro-life arguments against the view that abortion should be kept legal to protect women from more dangerous abortions. But you'll have to watch or listen to the show to learn how YOU can use this in abortion dialogues. (Thanks to Justice For All's Trent Horn for alerting Josh to this argument.) Listener Mail: "Say, I've been using the S.L.E.D. argument in a few debates. However, some people will just bite the bullet and say that the mentally handicapped and Alzheimer's patients are non-persons, or that there is no difference between killing and eating babies versus pigs. No matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to show them how repugnant this is."

Josh recounts posting a comment responding to a fringe pro-abortion-choice blog called "The Abortion Gang." They were asking why pro-lifers are so excited about the most recent opinion polls stating that more than 50% of Americans identify themselves as "pro-life," when a lot of those people would still keep some abortions legal, like for rape and incest. Listen for my response to them. What would you have said? Listener Mail: 1: I keep hearing on the archives references on the ads for the pro-life summer camps to "pro-life games." What is a pro-life game? 2: Did you know that 43% of Democrats agree that "abortion kills a human being and is manslaughter?"

A huge buzz was created in the pro-life community this Summer over the Ichthus Christian Music Festival censoring a pro-life booth run by Bryan Kemper and Stand True Ministries. Now find out what REALLY happened at the Ichthus music festival. Bryan Kemper has given Josh special permission to talk about some of the worst parts of this story that have not been published before. The Life Report team will also give you tips on how to share your concerns with the Ichthus Music Festival leadership in a way that will most likely get results.

One of the most important aspects of this show is analyzing how to have effect dialogues with people about abortion. In today's show, the Life Report team examine the mistake Josh makes most often when talking about abortion. Ironically, Liz makes the opposite mistake. Both are examined and tips are offered for those struggling with the same mistakes as Josh and Liz. But you have to watch the show to find out what those mistakes are...

The Life Report team celebrates their 100th episode by briefly looking back at starting the show, and Josh admits he didn't think they'd last this long. For something different, Josh makes Liz, Kyle and Carrie compete in a pro-life quiz. Play along at home, and see if you can beat them!

Alan Shlemon from Stand to Reason takes on the Life Report Questionnaire. Highlight: In response to question #7, Alan offers some very helpful thoughts on responding to assisted suicide, noting that "compassion" means suffering WITH a person, not killing them.

Listener Mail: how many abortionists have been murdered in the U.S. since Roe v Wade; message from a new pro-choice fan; auditing pro-choice slogan: "if you can't trust me with a choice, how can you trust me with a child;" Josh is challenged on the CatholicVote.org debate from last year.

We wrap up our two-episode analysis of the recent ultrasound discussion on "The View." Watch full video at http://YouTube.com/LifeReport.

It's funnier if you listen to the interview first.

Joshua Pedrick, Catherine Wurts and Jacob Burow with Justice For All in studio! Also one of the funniest episodes we've ever recorded, ever.

Jon Wagner and Maureen McKinley from Justice For All discuss why they chose dialogue work versus other types of pro-life work, and their biggest pet-peeves about pro-life AND pro-choice advocates.

On a recent episode of "The View," the hosts discussed a new ultrasound bill in Oklahoma. In the next two episodes of Life Report, we respond to some of the arguments made, so that you'll know what to say if you hear somebody else make these arguments in the future. You can watch the full video of us taping this episode at http://blog.prolifepodcast.net/2010/06/22/97-did-they-just-say-that-the-view-discusses-new-ultrasound-bill-part-2.aspx

Listener Mail Questions: "Can you discuss the facts surrounding abortion-related violence? What do you think of the AbortionViolence.com website?" 2: "How should we react when the other side calls the fetus a "parasite," and do you think this is a more common pro-choice argument lately?" 3: "The argument that pro-lifers are anti-women is based on anti-feminist principles!"

Highlight: In response to the question, "how should pro-lifers interact with those who are pro-abortion-choice," Walter brings in his personal experiences outside the abortion facility in his answer.

This was our first attempt at sticking to a strict time format where the closing music came on automatically and we had to wrap up before the voice over comes on. Listen to what REALLY happened when we nailed the ending perfectly.

Josh tries to keep everyone focused as he leads a brief show meeting about the future plans of Life Report becoming a TV show. He coaches the team in not going on tangents and how to handle the new 28 minute format. This is only interesting if you're a die hard fan and want to get a peek behind the curtains of our show.

In the main body of today's episode, Josh shares a story about a conversation he had with a stranger about abortion, and asks the question, did he handle the situation correctly, or should he have pushed the issue further? We discuss the topic of, "how can pro-lifers talk about this issue with strangers without being weird?" Also, "what are some nonverbal cues for people to watch out for when they're talking with someone?" Before the story, Josh plays some "foley" sound effects he recently recorded with a family. You can watch a behind the scenes video of the making of these sounds here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G5lIk9WeYI

Kyle talks about the effectiveness of post-abortive women reaching out on campus. More deleted scenes at http://prolifepodcast.net/deletedscenes/index.html.

Listen to what really happened after the episode was over! Liz goes after Kyle for not backing her up in the debate. Kyle finds out what happens when you don't side with your fiancee. :D More BTS moments at http://prolifepodcast.net/bts/index.html.