Religion forms the agenda for anti-abortion protesters
By Carrie Porter, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 23, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.
Tim Hussin © The Rocky
Robert McLaughlin, with World Can't Wait Drive Out the Bush Regime, of New York City, argues with a pro-life protester during a protest outside the Planned Parenthood building in Northeast Denver at 7155 E. 38th Ave. on Saturday, August 23, 2008.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD - Citing a mandate from God, the anti-abortion protesters were clear about their message that they believe abortion is a crime against humanity.
The protesters at the Planned Parenthood, located at 38th Avenue and Quebec Street, carried posters with bloody and graphic photos, handed out pamphlets and Bible verses, and broadcast their beliefs over microphones from large trucks.
One truck was labeled with "Obama Wants You! ... to Pay for Abortion" with an illustration of the assumed presidential nominee depicted in an Uncle Sam motif.
Josh Aughenbaugh, 21, said he comes to protest Planned Parenthood from Tuesday to Saturday every week because "those are the days they kill children." The Denver resident said he has been protesting since he was a child, as he stood on one corner holding a sign.
This morning he worked with Missionaries to the Pre-Born group, and was joined by his family.
"I plead with women not to kill their babies and I absolutely want to hold signs to show the truth of what abortion does," Aughenbaugh said. "It is discouraging that there are so many people here trying to say we should have the right to murder."
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
August 23, 2008
12:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
always_thinking writes:
I hope you all will spend some time protesting war as well
August 23, 2008
12:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
MileHighPatriot writes:
I didn't even know these protests were going on. Good for them on their persistence. Hopefully they aren't doing this in a 'too' negative fasion. I don't know if bloody pictures persuade or dissuade people from getting abortions.
August 23, 2008
12:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
jbowen43 writes:
There is no better argument against religion than these dangerous freaks.
August 23, 2008
12:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
mattz writes:
Was your mandate from the God that is the stack of tortoises "all the way down"? Or the Zoroastrian God? Or the Native American God that created the Earth by launching a great stork across the universe to plant the seed of humanity? Or the Christian God that created the Earth 5000 years ago (how did they get all those millions of species on Noah's Ark?)? Or the God that created war, disease, abject poverty, the holocaust, extinction, rape?
If your God is so powerful, why doesn't he/she/it stop abortion?
August 23, 2008
12:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Jackieg218 writes:
MileHighPatriot writes:
I don't know if bloody pictures persuade or dissuade people from getting abortions.
I can remember when I was in high school ( a long long time ago in a land far far away lol) we had a lecture about abortions and they showed us pictures of an aborted fetus as well as some that were in jars. Now I know this is too extreme for kids today, but it changed the very core of who I am because of it.
I never really had given abortion much though before that day (what 9th grader did back then... but today is different) but if abortion was something I would have even thought of, that lecture changed my mind forever. It broke my heart to see these precious little things slaughtered.
I NEVER thought I would find myself in a situation 25 years later actually LOOKING for those very same photos. My step daughter called us from AZ one day and said she was going to have a baby. We were thrilled. I guess the fact that she was single, young, and ignorant to alot of what life is changed her mind. She called us a week later and wanted to tell us she was going to have an abortion. Our hearts were broken and of course we said we would help her and even raise the baby if need be, but dont destroy the life in her. She was dead set on getting one (even after I emailed her the very same pictures that struck me 25 yrs earlier)March 3rd 2007 was going to be the date.
My husband and I prayed and prayed and gave it to God, we got a call March 3rd saying I cant do it!!! WHEW!! But she needed help,she moved back home and my grandson will be a year old Sept 27th!!!! I can only hope one of those pictures changes the mind of someone.
Do I stand in line of fire for my stand, yes.. but that is ok. I stand behind what I belive in. But on that very same note, I do not feel its ok to call these women down and say they are commiting murder, or they are baby killers etc, in MY heart yes they are doing that, but who and *I* to make them belive in my faith, views or otherwise. Jesus wants us to love our neighbors, they too are my neighbor. I pray for them, and for the baby in them. However the bible tells us to do nothing that can cause a weaker brother to fall, thats why I cant justify the violent protests that sometime happen regarding abortion.
K, enough of my ranting.
August 23, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Wolfcartright writes:
I agree with jbowen43. How is it possible that massive populations of brainwashed bible zombies exist in the modern world? They are not given true freedom of religion, because in most cases they are tricked into believing in religious teachings before they are mentally mature enough to make their own decisions. Do they still believe in Santa too?
August 23, 2008
1:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
wow writes:
Jackie....."they showed us pictures of an aborted fetus as well as some that were in jars."
Did they mention that late term abortion is already illegal as an elective prcedure?
If not, they really should have.
I'd be willing to bet they didn't tell you that the fetuses they showed you were developed well beyond the third month. The first trimester, 1st through 3rd month, is the zygote/embryo stage. This is the time frame where the overwhelming percentage of abortions occur. A recognizably human fetus is quite a lot further along.
People should stop pushing false information and propaganda, and be honest about what is really happening.
August 23, 2008
1:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
wow writes:
For all our edification, here is a link to a good source with real pictures first trimester embryos.
Make an informed choice and follow your own heart...not someone else's.
That is what having a choice is all about.
http://www.wpclinic.org/parenting/fet...
August 23, 2008
2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
suffernofools writes:
What a misleading and biased headline from the RMN: "Religion forms the agenda for anti-abortion protesters". Religion isn't the agenda at all, but rather the saving of innocent human life is the agenda of those who oppose abortion. This is an attempt by the media to always make the abortion debate about religion--which it is not. Some of the people protesting abortion may base their stance on their religion, but that isn't necessary at all. One doesn't have to be of any religion (or even believe in God) to know that deliberately killing members of our own species is wrong.
August 23, 2008
3:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
snuffalupagus writes:
Hey, I wonder how many abortions that woman in the highlighted protest picture has had??
August 23, 2008
3:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
raoul writes:
most of this will be conveniently edited from the scripted version for main stream media network tv.
i'd like a front row to the democrat throwdown in the steets between NAMBA (North American Man Boy Association) fighting out of Boston and PETA fighting out of San Francisco. This should be a real challenge for PETA responding to NAMBA's charges they don't really LOVE their animals.
Expect the eventuall winner to advance to a second round against the winner of decocrat throwdown (scheduled for Peace Park at 3pm on Monday) between the ACLU fighting out of their local Denver chapter and the Democratic Socialists of America fighting out of New York, NY. This matchup should be particularly interesting because of home field advantage and the prize at stake.
The winner takes on the perennial favorite to win the denver democratic throwdown: the "9/11 Truth Movement". This team is financially backed by big spenders like George Sorros (a liberal whack job hedge fund manager billionaire who hates America) and has been training for 7 years. Should be a great matchup.
Some honorable mentions in the big democrat tent: Planned Parenthood, NAACP and Denver's own, SAFER (Safe Alternitives For Enjoyable Recreation), a proponent of legalizing marijuana.
MORE TO COME, STAY TUNED!
August 23, 2008
4:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
rg writes:
The bible says that when the fetus becomes "animated" it is alive along with other criteria; nonetheless, I agree with the sentiment that the creature in the womb is a parasite and a human is not a separate act of creation. A human is a life form with no greater equality than a cockroach. Richard Grimes: Deicide. http://www.geocities.com/r22037/think...
Deicide Corner: “The impotence of God is infinite.”-- Anatole France
August 23, 2008
4:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
WHATRIGHTS writes:
AmaranthArticia, this is not a personal column for your next date, please clean it up....
Big_D I didn't read anywhere in the thread of blogs where anyone supported death by war....but ok....voice away
Abortion has become a form birth control. If you don't want children then take the neccessary steps before hand, get educated and protect yourself.....before not after.
August 23, 2008
4:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
WolfK writes:
I respect womens right to do with what they wish with there body. I have had female friends who have had abortions and they have always done so after researching reputable resources as opposed to the false images that the anti abortion groups plaster there roving disgusting propaganda vehicles with. And have decided to still go through with it. I also respect my friends who have instead chosen to raise the child themselves or give them up for adoption, again that is there choice. What I do not understand is why so many feel the need to force their beliefs on others in harming and traumatic ways such as the pictures referenced before or on the roaming "Death Wagons" I have had the misfortune of seeing on the streets of Denver. Which are traumatic and visceral but also false in what they are showing as they are late term abortions. Yes you believe it is wrong so by all means do not do it, and I understand you feel it may be an injustice for others to do it but that is based on your BELIEF that what is being removed from these women is indeed already living. That it is something other than the chance for something to form that may be life. And how you define that life is based off BELIEF which differs greatly between people and is all wrapped up in feelings but has no real basis. If we allowed BELIEFS like that to rule, condoms as well may be the next thing which are protested against as it as well prevents a life from forming. I doubt this response will do much to sway opinions, I myself am being a hypocrite by posting on here as a personally very much dislike the addition of comment forums below story's as it gives a forum for people to bring out the worst in society and plaster their hate all over the internet, even on stories which are about tragedy but I was unable to resist just putting out my opinions and request for people to be respectful of others choices.
August 23, 2008
5:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
LadyBird112 writes:
"As for all be brain-washed bible-thumping idiots out there, if you care about these little blobs of meat so much, why don't you sign up to adopt them officially, and have legislation passed to provide the kids with helthcare and eduction."
Amaranth--many of the bible thumpers are also white supremacists, generations of KKK-ers. It's not only white people who have abortions, many are blacks and Hispanics, people who the bible-thumpers don't really care for. So the kids are screwed pretty much.
Jackie-any mother who uses tactics like that on her own daughter and doesn't allow her to make her own life decisions is one sick little lady. YOU are the ignorant one, my dear.
August 23, 2008
5:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
LadyBird112 writes:
"Abortion has become a form birth control. If you don't want children then take the neccessary steps before hand, get educated and protect yourself.....before not after."
WHATRIGHTS--I agree with you in a way--abortion shouldn't just be used as the only backup plan, there are many women who do use birth control, such as a pill, condom, both. Sometimes, these fail, and you might not realize until it's too late. Thus, you need to have the abortion option. Sorry to be the one to break it to you.
August 23, 2008
5:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
WHATRIGHTS writes:
LadyBird, agreed, but birth control should be both participants responsibility thus doubling protection, it would also decrease the amount of STD.
I am not judging either side, not up to me, I am not the one who has to live with others choices, I am only responsible for my own and being a compassionate, good person is the only way for me. But that's just me.
Be it far from me to judge, lest I be judged. Believer I am, thumper I am not. I feel more pity than anger or hate.
August 23, 2008
5:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
NeilT writes:
gloriapoole -"There is a huge difference in premeditated killing of innocents in the womb, [a sin], and government enforcing the laws of any nation [what GOD told them to do]. "
What god told them to do???
That about sums it up, folks.
You make me want to abort my dinner, Gloria!
August 23, 2008
6:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Reason writes:
LadyBird, you do realize that Planned Parenthood was founded by a eugenist who wanted to apply abortion as a technique to cleanse the gene pool of unworthies, right? You know, those awful excuses of human beings like the poor, non-whites, the handicapped, etc.(sarcasm)
August 23, 2008
7:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
wow writes:
Oddly, in the 1920's when Sanger was an advocate of eugenics, her opinions were in vogue, and negative/positive eugenics was a widely accepted and exciting idea to those in the scientific community.
When Hitler began exterminating jews, Sanger was against what he was doing, and she felt that a voluntary method of personally and privately practicing genetic selection was the only "right" way to do it. She was feircely opposed to any Government involvement.
And although she would these days be considered a horrible racist, back then, the only thing about her ideas that got her into trouble with her peers was suggesting that women should have unrestricted access to birth control. She was arrested eight times for publicly advocating for a woman's right to plan her reproduction. (*GASP*. Can't have that.....)
Her views on eugenics were of no consequence at all, at that time.
Today, we are apalled, but back then...people saw things differently. Kind of the way we see cloning and stem cell research now, if you need a frame of reference. Some liked it, some didn't, but all were intrigued by it.
Try, please, to look at history without adding your own spin.
And Gloria, if you really are an RN, I'll eat your stethoscope.
You obviously know nothing about obstetrics, birth control, or reproduction. You are too superstitious and illogical to have been able to make it through college level course work for any of the medical professions.
And your grasp of government and history are frighteningly simple.
If you are merely a shill for the pro-life orgs, that's fine, but let's not pretend to be something we are not.
August 23, 2008
8:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
wow writes:
For those of you who haven't perused the other stories today, our pal Gloria may hate abortion, but she loooves Al Jazera and respects their journalistic integrity. Nevermind those pesky preschooler's shows glorifying suicide bombers and calling for the extermination of Israelis. Guess embryos are great, if they are American.
--------------
August 23, 2008
11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
gloriapoole writes:
"I think it is exciting that Al Jazeera even wants to spend their money reporting on Colorado. They are a bona-fide news agency, and they are well respected; except in the U.S....."
-------------
She's also concerned that the RMN is targeting her computer for text enlargement because they know how old she is......
And, even when the name of the city of Golden is written, twice, in a story, she still thinks it means "Boulder".
Her rant on that thread could be the funniest thing I've seen today, and you should check it out. Over the top wacko conspiracy theorists who admire terrorist propaganda distributors and call themselves right to life always make me chuckle. Especially when they gush about war heroes in the next breath.
My point is, this person is as qualified as I am to have and express an opinion.
But she's also clearly a complete nutter. Take her with a grain of salt, if at all.
August 23, 2008
8:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
NeilT writes:
My, my Gloria! You’re a good little Christian, aren’t you?
It’s not you “naming the Name of GOD” that gags me, Gloria. What absolutely disgusts me is people like you that think they have a direct, two-way line of communication with god.
It’s cool if you want to talk to god. It’s down-right loony if you think god is talking back. There are some great medications on the market today that can nip that problem of yours in the bud, Gloria.
I recommend you talk to a professional. God does not qualify.
Save me a seat when you get to hell, Gloria. I'd like to sit next to you for a spell.
August 23, 2008
9:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sweetpickle writes:
I sure hope Gloria isn't practicing medicine anywhere, I'd hate to have her as my caregiver.
August 24, 2008
1:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
roger44 writes:
This so called God killed a lot of people in the old testament. You people chide McCain for having married a wealthy woman, but sure don't mention the women that have married for money. I guess many want abortions to go back to the way it used to be, back room with a coat hanger. Ask those prostestors if they would sign papers to adopt the fetus being aborted and see how many volunteer.
August 24, 2008
6:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
kchri writes:
Why can't we all just be anti-abortion, but pro-choice. No one wants to have an abortion really, but in the end the choice belongs to the woman who must bear the responsibility.
Oh, and my "God" told me to you all that...
August 24, 2008
7:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
DonnyD writes:
I find your arguments to be intellectually bankrupt, that is, your main argument against abortion foes is to equate us to blanket Bush supporters, including war. The war was unfortunate, thousands of Americans and tens or even hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead. Those deaths are on my heart and have been in our prayers.
I must nevertheless make the following point. How many of his own people did Saddam gas with his WMD's? How many Iranians did he gas with his WMD's? How many of his people were starving due to UN sanctions as a result of his policies?
I don't necessarily think war was the best solution, but I do believe in spite of all the lives lost, the damage caused, Iraqis are better off with out Saddam. Just ask any of the Kurds!
Let me thus rephrase your argument, If your an abortion supporter, a supporter of life, you are hypocritical because you support a position and thus a certain political party, not necessarily blanket unison of all policies of that party, that voted with the other political party in going to war against a nation that would gas and starve its own people, against a dictator who's sons would personally brutally rape and kill thousands, a nation who would rather starve its people than allow UN sanctions authorized by an international body.
Your quick words are not so smart after all.
August 24, 2008
8:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
LuvAmerica writes:
DonnyD: Do you believe life is sacred or not?
You're saying invading Iraq was the lesser of two evils. I'd make the argument allowing an abortion to take place is the lesser of two evils.
Forcing an unwanted & unloved child into the world, perhaps a life marked by poverty, violence, or limited opportunity, that to me seems more evil than an abortion. To a degree this makes the anti-choice crowd culpable for the outcome of that child's life.
So it always leaves me to wonder why that sanctimonious crowd shows so little interest in actually effectively preventing pregnancy. They want to protest the symptom (abortions) but seem to have no interest in the problem itself.
There always have been abortions. There always will be abortions. Perhaps reducing the need for them would be the basis of a better plan striving to treat all well.
August 24, 2008
12:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
BrandiWine_84 writes:
Gloria, are you for real? I haven't heard so much Crazy from one source in a long long time! Sometimes I forget that such lunatics exist, and actually function alongside me in society! Scary thought!
Your craziest underlyer is probably your categorization of people as either "innocent" or "wicked." What the hell makes somebody innocent or wicked? It seems like you hold yourself as an "innocent", right? And that conviction probably stems not from your actions and attitudes, but solely from your devotion to God and the bible, right? I'm not as fanatical about the bible as some, but I do believe it says something like "judge not, lest ye be judged" and damn, you seem to be doing a lot of judging. Not very "Christian" of you, tsk tsk!
Oh here's another one of my favorites (it's hard to choose since there are so many cuckoo things peppering Gloria's posts) - McCain is wiser because he has lived longer than Obama? Don't many people start to lose their marbles as they get into that seventh decade? I would speculate that this may be the case with you, but I'm sure you just think you're getting wiser and wiser.
August 24, 2008
4:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
rg writes:
Those who believe in holy books could easily be buried in a small matchbox after administering an enema. Richard Grimes: Deicide.
Deicide Corner: One cannot find enough love in holy books to fill an even smaller matchbox.
August 24, 2008
4:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
LadyBird112 writes:
Gloria, you are so entertaining.
Ah, gotta love the crazy.
Since you know you are going to heaven, I just hope hope hope that I get to go to hell. I can't imagine an afterlife chilling with you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm due back on the planet Earth--have you heard of it?
August 24, 2008
8:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
"Religion forms the agenda for anti-abortion protesters"
of course it does. considering that religion is a belief in the supernatural....it can also be said that superstitious beliefs in the supernatural forms the agenda for anti-abortion protestors.
sounds a little different when you put it that way.
outlawing abortions won't decrease them...where's the logic in the anti-choice position?
August 25, 2008
10:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
jvb writes:
It appears that if Gloria receives an enema after death she could be buried in the eye of a needle.
September 6, 2008
11:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
Jackieg218 writes:
I know its like weeks later that I am posting to this, to be honest I plain forgot. For those of you who were judging me and saying I am a bad mom for showing the pics to my daughter, well one, it was at HER request that I find them for her, and two, she THANKS me today for talking her out of that abortion. She is 100% in love with her son. Additionally, we had her live with us up until a month ago when she felt ready to move out. She knows we will take her back in if she needs it. So am I a bad person, no I dont think so.