Today on Listen Up: renewed calls across Canada - to make killing a fetus - a crime.
Today
– we delve into a contentious national debate. The rights of the
unborn. In the wake of the murders of yet two more pregnant women and
their unborn children in Canada, there has been a renewed call in
recent weeks to make killing a fetus a crime.
Under criminal
law in this country, an unborn child is not considered a human being
until it emerges and takes a breath. But a growing number of voices say
that’s just not right.
THE CONTEXT
Edmonton, July, 2005. 29-year-old Liana White goes missing. A wife and
mother, she is 4 months pregnant. Her husband, Michael, is convicted of
second degree murder. No charges are laid in relation to the death of
their unborn child.
Edmonton, November, 2005. Olivia Marie Talbot, 6 months pregnant, is
shot to death. A childhood friend is convicted on charges of first
degree murder in relation to her death. No charges are laid over the
death of Talbot’s unborn child.
Winnipeg, February, 2007. 24-year-old pregnant Roxanne Fernando is
murdered in a brutal beating. Three are charged for taking
payment of $500 and a big screen TV for the murder. At the trial
its revealed Roxanne was killed because she refused to have an
abortion. No charges are laid in connection with the death of her
fetus.
Halifax. July 31, 2007. 28-year-old Charlene Knapp–who is
3-and-a-half months pregnant—is attacked in her home; stabbed
repeatedly with a sword. Charlene survives, her unborn baby does
not. The father of the baby is charged with attempted murder,
aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of a dangerous
weapon. No charges are laid in connection with the death of
Charlene’s baby.
Toronto, October 2, 2007. 25-year-old Aysun Sesen - seven months
pregnant - dies after being stabbed in the abdomen. Doctors try,
unsuccessfully, to save her unborn child. The little girl is stillborn.
Aysun’s husband, 29-year-old Turan Cocelli is charged with her
slaying. No charges are laid in connection with the death of
Aysun’s unborn daughter.
THE GUESTS
Jennifer O’Neill www.jenniferoneill.com
She’s undeniably beautiful. And she’s made money off her
looks. An internationally acclaimed model, cover girl, actress, film
and television star, you might think Jennifer O’Neill has led a
blessed life. But 9 marriages, an abortion, and 9 miscarriages were her
reality. Listen Up spoke to Jennifer O’Neill on a recent visit to
Canada.
Stephanie Gray www.unmaskingchoice.ca/gray.html
Stephanie Gray is the Executive Director of The Canadian Centre for
Bioethical Reform. The Canadian Centre for Bio-ethical Reform believes
that fetuses are human and that they should have certain protections
under the law.
Joyce Arthur http://mypage.direct.ca/w/writer
Joyce Arthur is a spokesperson with the Pro-Choice Action Network. She
says the assumption that a fetus is a human being with rights, is
deeply flawed.
Matthew Wilson
Matthew Wilson is the President of the University of Calgary Campus Pro-Life Club.
Aydin Cocelli
Aydin Cocelli is murdered and pregnant Aysun Sesen’s, brother-in-law.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
(Listen Up TV does not endorse any of the content in the following list
of web links. They are offered purely as a resource for further
information.)
Silent No More Awareness Campaign www.silentnomoreawareness.org
The Silent No More Awareness Campaign is an effort to make the public
aware of the devastation abortion brings to women, men, and their
families. The emotional and physical pain of abortion will no longer be
shrouded in secrecy and silence, but rather exposed and healed. This
effort is a key to make abortion unthinkable and persuade society that
women deserve better than abortion.
The Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services (CAPSS) www.capss.com
CAPSS is committed to supporting member charities in demonstrating the
love of Jesus Christ through acts of service. Services designed to help
with the physical, medical, emotional, economical and social needs that
arise with crisis pregnancies. And of course, we strive to equip our
members to effectively communicate the life-changing message of the
Gospel. In the words of Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all
times. If necessary use words."
The Abortion Recovery International Network
The Campaign encourages everyone who conducts healing programs to register with the Network by visiting: www.abortionrecoverynetwork.org. If you are looking for a list of after-abortion resources in your area, please visit: www.abortionrecoverydirectory.org
If there is nothing listed, please call 949-679-9ARN.
There are two things about the character of God that shape the way I
understand care for the fetus. First, the Bible says God watches over
and works on life in the womb every day it’s there. Second, God
commands we not kill. My conviction this is true was shaped by
several discussions with my mother. She tried 4 times to abort me. At
that time, Canadian law protected fetuses and so I lived. My mothers
and I have needed God to help us walk the life that followed and that’s
happened. That spiritual reality is also part of what shapes
discussion on the rights of the unborn in Canada.
LET’S TALK!
Here are your comments from last week’s show: Remembering Burma
Send show to Burmese Veteran
We
would appreciate if you would send the Burma item to my cousin who is
an air force vet from the WW2 era. He initially wanted to go as a
C.O., but was too late for that so he enlisted in the RCAF. He ended up
in Burma.
Thank you so much and we do listen to you and are blessed through your program.
Jake
Does anyone remember Vietnam?
Thank
you for the great Remembrance Day program. Great to highlight the
"missing men of Burma" and the continuing struggles there. Still,
Another Remembrance Day goes by and nothing in the press or media about
the Canadians in Viet Nam !!!!!!!!! Why ?
What was it any way that
we can N O T and W I L L not remember that war ? For a number of us,
saving Viet Nam, was _N O T_ a political statement, it was to keep
Christians, protestant and Catholic, yes and the Buddhists and others
to live in freedom to pray in safety to God from a Communist army.
Today, Christians (Protestant and Catholic) can not gather in safety as
they once had. Is that right ?
Gord
Canada of today due to our soldiers
We
should celebrate Remembrance Day since so many men gave their lives so
that we could have a Canada that we have today, and that we helped the
oppressed people of Europe and Asia. Over 100 000 Canadian soldiers
died, and they should never be forgotten.
Thank You, Robert
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On April 30, 2005 Lorna was privileged to receive an honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministries from Canada's largest Christian university, Trinity Western University. Lorna was recognized for the witness and leadership that Listen Up TV has provided in public messaging: "a leader in the voice of evangelical life in Canada."
