Students for Life to Host Forum Today

By Broadside News Editor Asma Chaudhary
Photo by Rachael Dickson

According to recent advertising on Facebook, the student organization Students for Life will hold a discussion forum today at 7 p.m. in the Johnson Center Cinema. The forum titled, “Not Your Average Pro-Life Forum,” will feature different student organizations that offer opposing viewpoints.

Scheduled to participate in the forum are College Republicans, College Democrats, Pro-Choice Patriots, Israel on Campus, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and Catholic Campus Ministry.

Speakers will include Shayna Baker from Life Choices Resource Center, Kelly Galloway from Birthmothers Ministries as well as medical expert Dr. John Buchalski.

According to the Facebook.com event page, “The idea is to show students at Mason that they don’t have to be Christian, conservative, or Republican to be pro-life. We will have a discussion and time for a Q&A.”

Students for Life President Laura Litalien discussed how life should be valued and specifically in the case of an unplanned pregnancy.

“This is an organization dedicated to helping meet the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancy by increasing access to compassionate alternatives to abortion procedures,” said Litalien. “We are also a nonpartisan forum for all who value life, and for all who are interested in educating the campus community on the truth about abortion.”

Alissa Brower, a sophomore government major, explained her wavering opinion on the issue by supporting pro-choice practices while considering the value of life.

“For those who protest outside of [abortion clinics] they have freedom of speech but it bothers me when there are aggressive protesters that are yelling horrible things at people,” said Brower.

Brower also discussed how mothers should choose skilled facilities rather than choosing a random abortion clinic. This is because some clinical institutions may not meet regulations for safety and security when these surgical procedures take place.

“Women should choose sterile clinics with experienced doctors instead of getting back alley abortions, which could be injuring themselves and the baby,” said Brower.

According to Rabbi Scott Mathias, director of Aish Campus DC, an organization geared towards the college-aged Jewish community, the value of life is highly protected according to the Jewish faith, however, he does discuss that in the event that the mother’s life is in danger, an abortion is permissible.

“In Judaism, especially with observant Orthodox Jews, the unborn fetus is regarded as a life and therefore we do see it [abortion] as something that should not be done unless absolutely necessary,” said Mathias.

Mathias works with college students in the Washington, D.C. area in order to guide them towards proper Jewish practices. The name “Aish HaTorah” refers to the “flame of the Torah,” which represents the spiritual message that Jews follow on a daily basis. To learn more information about the organization, click here.

“We are also not exactly 100 hundred percent comfortable with the government handling the issue through a legislative sense because church and state should remain separate,” said Mathias.

An important issue that tends to divide the opposing viewpoints more is in the case of rape victims, who may become pregnant as a result of the attack. Particularly with female students at Mason, the pro-life decision may change due to unfortunate events.

“In the case of [rape victims], I would stand for abortion because there will always be a symbol of that trauma for the rest of their life,” said Brower.

“The government should have regulations for safe practices but understand the psychological aspects that mothers face like depression during that time,” said Brower.

According to Monica Block, chairman of the College Republicans, she discussed how her organization strives to protect the “sanctity of life.”

“The Republican Party had it start in the position that no human should the property of another. Along this same line we feel that it cannot be someone else's decision to end the life of an innocent child,” said Block.

Block said, “This forum will advocate that you don't have to be a Christian or a Conservative to be pro-file, and I think that is the best method to resolve this issue. People must understand that preserving the rights of an unborn child is something that reaches across all religious, cultural, or political boundaries.”

According to the Rev. Peter Nassetta, director of Catholic Campus Ministry at Mason, he discussed the Catholic perspective to the issues.

“Catholics believe that human life begins at conception and that all human life is sacred,” said Nassetta. “This teaching comes both from Scripture and is supported by scientific evidence as well.”

In addition, Nassetta also discussed how CCM students conduct daily and weekly prayers for others at local abortion clinics. Students interested in learning more about these weekly prayers hosted by Catholic Campus Ministry, can click here.

“At CCM we have a group of students who go every week to an abortion clinic to pray most especially for the mothers who feel they have no other choice,” said Nassetta. “We have raised money for unwed mothers and supported crisis pregnancy centers that help woman to choose life for their babies.”

The event is scheduled to last until 10 p.m. and will provide an interesting dialogue between the contrasting views. Students from all organizations are welcome to attend the event in order to understand the debate better and ask questions.

By inviting guest speakers from all walks of life, students will be able to experience the religious, spiritual and medical aspects of the issue.

According to Litalien, the event will be the most successful based on the number of students who attend.

Litalien said, “Organizations who are participating with us will be coming around 6:15 p.m. to set up tables with information regarding their organization.”

At the Students for Life, there are several links to join the organization and it also includes information for men as well.

“We have been preparing for this event since the fall semester; we have invited several speakers and are working with several on campus organizations to put this on,” said Litalien. “We hope that this event will stimulate discussion and help to answer any questions.”