Missed point
Once again, D Carter said that it was inappropriate to protest abortion at an event where children were present.
Then he repeated his insulting claim that we are single issue zealots.
Culture War
In addition to killing babies in the womb, the sick and the vulnerable, our nanny state is renowned for treating adults like children, treating taxpayers like a cash machine, treating children like animals and treating Christians like second class citizens.
As far as I can tell, the majority of anti-abortion campaigners are Christians who are more than a little dismayed to find that their right to freedom of speech can be openly questioned whenever they mention God or babies in the womb.
I therefore disagree with the opinions expressed by D Carter (May 30). Abortion is the tip of the iceberg in the undeclared but very real culture war between Christians and secular humanists. It is the most important issue of our times because it is a crime against the humanity of the unborn child.
Bernard John Toolan.
PS. the comment about killing the sick and the vulnerable is a reference to the “Liverpool Care Pathway” which was rolled out across the UK between 2009 and 2012. Ten years after writing it, I have no idea where the comment about treating children like animals came from, but I am absolutely certain that I could have justified it if challenged.
Not offensive
REF D Carter’s letter (May 22) I would like to point out that no way did anti-abortion supporters intend any offence when handing out leaflets at the torch event on the Hoe.
Approximately 40,000 people were there, so compare this number with the same number of abortions carried out in this country. How tragic and shameful to end the life of an innocent baby in the womb. On another point, is the public aware that women are having not only one or two abortions, but sometimes three or four, using this as a form of contraception? This is costing the country 9 million pounds a week; surely this money could be put to better use in our National Health Service in order to save lives?
The leaflets distributed were not in the least offensive, but showed a beautiful baby with the words “Every life is more precious than gold”. God taught that abortion is wrong, so as faithful citizens we endeavour to spread these teachings to mankind. I felt it was rather uncharitable to be classed as single issue obsessed zealots; I assure Mr Carter this is far from the truth – our aim is to save the life of the unborn child and to bring all people to love and serve God by following his holy teachings.
Perhaps Mr Carter would like to attend one of our monthly meetings in Plymouth; it might enlighten him as to the kind of people we really are. Whether or not we gained support I cannot say, but I hope we did.
Many young girls thought the leaflets were wonderful and many thanks were received by supporters.
Pamela Belowski.
Be realistic
In addition to killing babies in the womb, the sick and the vulnerable, our nanny state is renowned for treating adults like children. It treats taxpayers like a cash machine, children like animals and Christians like second class citizens.
In my opinion, these are not isolated issues. Like calling abortion opponents ‘single issue zealots’ rather than refuting our arguments, they are all examples of a profound lack of respect for the dignity and worth of others. Saying that you respect someone and then insulting them again is absolute proof to me that you do not, in fact, respect them.
I must therefore disagree with the opinions expressed by D Carter (May 30) whose point was that anti-abortion leaflets should not be given to adults accompanied by their children, because there is no-one there to protect the children.
It would indeed be nice to have an adult conversation about abortion, but let’s be realistic. It is never going to happen because, in my opinion, abortion supporters do not have sufficient rational arguments to justify a crime against humanity.
Bernard John Toolan.
PS. I did not for an instant expect the local paper to print the first version of this letter because I forgot to refute his argument when I wrote the first version, but they printed the first version at the same time as another pro-life letter and they printed this version on the same day that D Carter complained that we had not refuted his point and insulted us all again with a special reference to me personally. Sometimes you just get lucky.