But rather than accepting the decision the group challenged it, and at a special meeting called to consider their right to exist as a club, won a resounding victory. The vote was 227 for to 125 against.
What is hard to fathom is how a pamphlet advocating the right of women to know about health risks associated with abortion and the alternatives available to them, so they can make an informed decision, should provoke such a reaction. Particularly when the material used came from peer-reviewed academic studies with medical statements which were supported by footnote references to reputable journals.
It is proper that philosophy student Amy Blowers, President of ProLife Auckland, would be elated by the support given by students, many of whom, she said, had no intention of being members of their club. Beyond that she sees freedom of expression as a right worth protecting, particularly in a university setting, where academic freedom must be paramount.
Sadly, we are seeing values that we have taken for granted being replaced and worse still, denigrated. The very people who demand the right to promote alternative values appear to believe that they have the right to silence anyone who holds a different view. They very cunningly picture those who oppose their view as driven by a phobia.
What is needed are more people committed to addressing a particular issue, such as William Wilberforce did with slavery. People who are passionate and determined about something they commit themselves to, believing that it is non-negotiable and recognising that if they present the truth then the truth will speak for itself. What is hard to fathom is that so many are blind to the truth.
Those in the pro-life movement are committed to upholding the sanctity of life. They see it as a God-given gift to be valued and upheld. They believe that we denigrate and disrespect it at our peril. In bold terms, they regard the taking of human life as murder, which has disastrous effects on both the perpetrator and society.
Even if upholding the sanctity of life is not the issue we are personally dedicated to uphold, we must affirm our support for those, particularly young people, committed to doing so.
One thing we can do, however, is refuse to use weasel words like abortion, fetus and the unborn that are intended to lull people into a false acceptance of murder; the killing of a child conceived in the image of God.
