Students of Eastern Michigan University made the trek to Halle Library on the night of Feb. 12 to attend a pro-life abortion panel. The panel was put on by Right to Life of Michigan with the help of Catholics on Campus, and featured a variety of experts, including a medical doctor, a pastor, community and nonprofit directors, and even an EMU student, Angela Little.
In addition to being professional experts on the topic, all the panelists had personal backgrounds relating to abortion. Some of them were ex pro-choice supporters, but changed their views after emotional or spiritual experiences. Kathy Crombie, director of Right to Life of Michigan, said the panelists were “Those who believe in life, but from different perspectives.”
Panelists held nothing back as they preached, lectured, and wooed the crowd. There was a panelist to appeal to any type of skeptic in the audience. Those whose beliefs stemmed from their spirituality were inspired by Levon Yuille, often hollering “Amen” into the air with gusto.
Those with a scientific mindset found themselves more interested in the several medical studies, courtesy of Lydia Best, proving there are many risks in abortion. According to Best, those risks can include an increased rate of breast cancer, later pre-mature childbirth and psychological damage.
And those who rely more on their gut and emotions to guide them might have been drawn to the many anecdotes Travon Clifton had to offer, including how she was conceived in rape, but grateful her mom had given her life. Panelists pointed out that beautiful things could be born from ugly situations.
After the panel discussion, student Samantha Henning confessed she had been “on the fence” on the whole abortion issue, but she now saw herself leaning more pro-life. Julia Leake, on the other hand, said she had already considered herself pro-life, but this had affirmed her views.
When asked if she was spiritual, Leake said, “I am, but I see abortion as more of a human rights issue.”
Pro-life or pro-choice, there is no way any student left Halle without examining his or her own beliefs.
