Despite their obvious distaste for our campaigns, the abortion industry has let us know one thing ? that 40 Days for Life is effective at saving lives and changing hearts and minds.
We must love the people in the abortion business ...? and pray for them with the hope that one day they will be working alongside us to end abortion. Until then, we know one thing -- that they really don't like us. Or you, either, for that matter.
Here are the top 6 critiques 40 Days for Life has received from Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry.
#6: Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood?s former national president, Gloria Feldt, repeatedly stuck her foot in her mouth. Part of her downfall at Planned Parenthood was her idea to have "I had an abortion" t-shirts promoted and sold by Planned Parenthood.
This was a PR nightmare. Not only did the shirts not sell, but the idea that women would be proud of their abortions and want to walk around and brag it on a t-shirt showed Gloria's massive disconnect from the human heart ... and planet Earth in general.
During her visit to the birthplace of 40 Days for Life ? Bryan/College Station, Texas ? Gloria called that community ?the most anti-choice place in the nation.?
Needless to say, we never got a jelly-of-the-month club membership or set of lawn chairs as our first-place prize.
#5: Pro-Choice Coalition of Canada
?40 Days for Life has an impressive level of organization including coordinators, a user-friendly website, many participating churches and schools ? each responsible for one day of harassment. This ensures city-wide participation, meaning the organizers are able to produce a consistently high number of volunteers.?
Canadians are faithful, never rattled, and too cold to harass anyone at prayer vigil. The only time I've been harassed by our neighbors to the north is when discussing hockey.
#4: Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri
Michelle Trupiano of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri said, ?While the protesters have never been violent or inflammatory, their tactics are concerning. As a whole the 40 Days for Life movement seems determined to shut us down.?
Yes, we are peaceful ... and yes, we want you to close down.
#3: Planned Parenthood of Western Washington
The CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Washington, Chris Charbonneau, said, ?We know from past experience that these rallies and prayer vigils create barriers that deter our patients.?
Compassion, free alternatives and prayer are indeed barriers to abortion.
#2: American Civil Liberties Union
An ACLU spokesperson addressing a group of abortion advocates said that 40 Days for Life was ?the greatest threat to choice? because it was ?so highly organized and effective.? Gee ? thank you!
#1: Planned Parenthood employee of the year
?They continue to do these 40 day harassment protests. It seems kind of silly.?
The Planned Parenthood director who made that comment was Abby Johnson, who ran the Planned Parenthood center in Bryan, Texas. That interview aired on September 22, 2009.
A mere 13 days later, Abby walked into my office after witnessing a live abortion for the very first time. She resigned her position ... and not long afterward, joined 40 Days for Life volunteers in prayer outside of her former workplace.
When Abby Johnson saw the truth of what abortion does, and knew in her heart and soul that she had to leave this deadly industry, the first people she turned to were the ones who had prayed for her ? by name ? for years.
Now she is doing the same for abortion workers across America in her ministry, And Then There Were None. There is nothing "silly" about that.
