Sadly, very few women know what the term “crisis pregnancy center” really means and that is exactly what crisis pregnancy centers prey upon.
There is a personal story from Allyson Kirk published on AlterNet of a woman who got caught in the trap of these centers, thinking it was a regular reproductive rights clinic, as these centers have tried their best to look like to lure women in and intimidate them into carrying their pregnancies to term.
After calling the National Abortion Federation Hotline seeking an abortion, she got a number for a health care clinic, but a crisis pregnancy center located themselves a mere two doors down from the clinic, where the woman ended up walking into thinking it was the clinic she was in search for. What these people put her through is sick, twisted and no woman should have to be put through this when making a personal decision regarding her body.
“She asked me about my religious beliefs. I was immediately defensive at this point. I asked her why this was a relevant question to ask in a medical facility. “Because I can’t properly counsel you on the issue of abortion unless I know your moral standing,” she said. I decided that this was not the kind of place I felt comfortable seeking medical care so I asked her to complete the free pregnancy test and then I would be on my way. I gave her a urine sample and she agreed to run the test, but only if I watched an educational video while the results were processing.”
First of all, the woman felt the need to ask about the religious beliefs of the patient just to feel around and see if she had to intimidate her to stay there so she could “counsel” (ie: push her moral standing onto her patient and make her believe what she wanted) and the woman of this clinic, after seeing the hesitancy, started bartering with the woman over getting a pregnancy test done at their clinic. “You can have your pregnancy test if you watch this video.” That is not the way to treat the women who walk into your clinic, but they knew that this woman was hesitant and was starting to realize what was going on and knew that she should not be there, so I guess bartering is the only other viable option since these people are completely unprofessional and exist only to terminate a woman’s right to choose.
“The video I was forced to watch made false claims including: doctors who provide abortions graduate at the bottom of their classes and can’t get real jobs; abortion is dangerous and often results in serious injury, even death, to women, and abortion causes severe psychological and emotional damage to women. The woman on the video said many women who have abortions have nightmares of babies crying and have guilt about their decision so intense that it sends them into depression.
The second portion of the video showed an illustrated enactment of a surgical abortion procedure. A picture of a uterus with a fully formed fetus inside filled the TV screen as illustrated metal instruments appeared. The instruments were shown probing inside the uterus and dismembering the fetus. Then a suction device entered the screen, pulling the fetus out of the illustrated uterus for disposal.”
These centers should not be able to give women completely fabricated information. “Abortion providers can’t get real jobs?” Sorry, I believe that abortion providers have one of the most important jobs–Giving a woman power over her own body and giving her the respect to know that she can make her own decision. I would think that the people who “can’t get real jobs” would be the ones who make a living off of scaring the hell out of women who walk into their trumped up office. I would think that these people can only get jobs in which they must lie to scared and impressionable women in order to push their personal beliefs onto other people–whether they’re willing to listen or not because if they don’t, they’ll just barter with them–”We’ll let you out of this room as long as you agree to pray with us.” This makes me sick.
I am willing to bet that their claim that abortion results in serious injury and even death are taken from statistics published before the early 70′s, since they would be right–Back alley and illegal abortions that women are going to have to resort back to if abortion is ever outlawed, do cause serious injury and in a lot of cases, even death.
That, my friends, is why the option of a safe and legal abortion is a hell of a lot better than an abortion done with a wire coat hanger either in your home or in unsanitary surroundings because I, for one, would rather an already living and breathing woman be able to continue with her life before I would put the life of a cluster of cells before her.
You can 
Nice try Amazon6.
First of all I can, and do, argue for many things I don’t agree with. Why? Because it speaks to the greater point about people having free will and individual control over themselves and what goes on in their bodies. I think that is a very important core freedom and basic human right, and I’m guessing you would as well if for whatever reason you ended up with a pregnancy you did not wish to carry to term. I don’t believe you would be happy about the state making that decision for you, regardless of what side you come down on in the abortion debate.
Human life begins at conception? Says who? God? We exist in a society that mandates the church stay out of legal policy decisions regarding how citizens live their lives.
“no, women that have abortions should not be tried for murder”
Then you are admitting you see a material difference in human life and life of a fetus. You can’t have it both ways.
And gatekeeper of morality is exactly what you set yourself up to be when you deem 4000 women (whom you know nothing about) not responsible with a dismissive swipe of your hand. That’s puritanical slut shaming. You know it and I know it.
“The agencies I am affiliated with provide counseling for them, support groups for when they are looking for peace”.
Right. How exactly do you do this. A website, a yellow page add? Or are you the ones who hold up test tubes of aborted fetus tissue and signs admonishing women for their decisions as they enter abortion clinics? You counsel them? What a load of horse shit! You intimidate women who have already made a decision that is often one they have wrestled with. Your aggressive interference is saying loud and clear that you do not trust autonomous adult women to make medical and reproductive decisions for themselves or / and with the input of their medical practitioner, a right under the law. Helping women? You really have a lot of nerve.
If you don’t want an abortion, then don’t have one. In the meantime, American women don’t require your all knowing assistance in deciding what is right for them.
Al, you don’t understand my correlation to the Nazi’s because you either have a lack of respect for human life, or if science doesn’t have an answer, your willing to err on the side of irresponsibility. Your arguments are all based on opinion of when life begins. My argument for the Nazis is that was their opinion about the life of the Jews. Just the same, I don’t understand your arguments about looking at human life as simply a collection of cells. But, you are quite comfortable with your vast medical knowledge, so answer this question that nobody on the abortionist side wants to tackle: What is the exact point, to the nano-second, that a cluster of cells because human? I know your definition of human is once the cells are viable, but when is that exact moment? 20 weeks? Is that 20 weeks exactly from conception? Medical advances are allowing babies to live that are born earlier and earlier ever year. Do we need to adjust the magic moment of life based on current medicine? You may or may not believe in the soul, but when does this collection of cells have a mind, conscious thought? I would assume from your arguments that you are against abortion once the cells are viable, so when is that exact moment? There is so much gray area there, but you are willing to gamble human life on that.
And again, what the heck is a forced pregnancy? Pregnancy only happens one way, so if it is not through forcible sex, what makes a pregnancy forced?
“I am really getting bored with this.”
As evidenced by the lack of coherent refute to anything I have said.
Interesting too, how you avoided my specific questions about tactics.
But it seems you would like to discuss “facts”. What “facts”? And how are you so sure that the women you attempt to “help” have not been given the facts? Once again, you are not trusting women to make the choices that are right for them as adults with a life, circumstance, situation and value system all of their own.They do not need yours.
“Help them see the consequences of this choice”
You mean help guilt them into a choice that lets you sleep at night and in the end still serves to regulate womens reproductive choices through state will? No thanks.
“And as far as GOD is concerned, I’m not one to preach”
Isn’t it interesting then how in the next breath you go on to do just that. What a shock..
Exactly which of my points, specifically, is crap?
If you are going to recite the same nonsensical blather about human life beginning when you decide it does and specious comparisons to Nazi atrocities, and the obviously deliberate avoidance of relevant questions, I’m done. Good luck with the subjugation of your own gender.
“Pregnancy only happens one way, so if it is not through forcible sex, what makes a pregnancy forced?”
You do. By advocating for policies which would prevent women from having access to safe and legal abortion. Because then, those women are forced to in fact go through with a pregnancy they have already decided, for whatever reason, they do not wish to carry to term.
Thus, forced pregnancy. It’s not rocket science.
Al, you assume a lot from my comments, and when you assume, you make an ass of u and me. Let me sum it up for you. Educating women with the facts regarding abortion is my focus. Women are not given all of the facts, as women making a life changing choice, they deserve better. Abortion clinics are about making money, not the benefit of a woman’s total health, mind and body. If you are so passionate about freedom of choice, help them see all of the choices. Help them see the consequences of this choice. And as far as GOD is concerned, I’m not one to preach, but I will sum up my belief. “If you live as if there is no GOD, then you better be right” Your gonna have to do better than sling your own crap and belittle everyone of my comments, because I am really getting bored with this.
Al, you are correct that pregnancy isn’t rocket science. If I raped women and impregnated them, I would be forcing pregnancies. Every time a couple has sex, they know a pregnancy may occur. If pregnancy is going to adversely affect a woman’s life that badly, she shouldn’t be having sex. I advocate for infants to have safe and legal births. I ask again, what is the exact moment that a group of cells becomes human? Without that fact, how can you come to a responsible decision to terminate a pregnancy. Your argument hinges on this fact as well as mine. If we don’t know this exact moment, we may very well be killing, correct?
Al, you don’t understand my correlation to the Nazi’s because you either have a lack of respect for human life, or if science doesn’t have an answer, your willing to err on the side of irresponsibility. Your arguments are all based on opinion of when life begins. My argument for the Nazis is that was their opinion about the life of the Jews. Just the same, I don’t understand your arguments about looking at human life as simply a collection of cells. But, you are quite comfortable with your vast medical knowledge, so answer this question that nobody on the abortionist side wants to tackle: What is the exact point, to the nano-second, that a cluster of cells because human? I know your definition of human is once the cells are viable, but when is that exact moment? 20 weeks? Is that 20 weeks exactly from conception? Medical advances are allowing babies to live that are born earlier and earlier ever year. Do we need to adjust the magic moment of life based on current medicine? You may or may not believe in the soul, but when does this collection of cells have a mind, conscious thought? I would assume from your arguments that you are against abortion once the cells are viable, so when is that exact moment? There is so much gray area there, but you are willing to gamble human life on that.
And again, what the heck is a forced pregnancy? Pregnancy only happens one way, so if it is not through forcible sex, what makes a pregnancy forced?
“I am really getting bored with this.”
As evidenced by the lack of coherent refute to anything I have said.
Interesting too, how you avoided my specific questions about tactics.
But it seems you would like to discuss “facts”. What “facts”? And how are you so sure that the women you attempt to “help” have not been given the facts? Once again, you are not trusting women to make the choices that are right for them as adults with a life, circumstance, situation and value system all of their own.They do not need yours.
“Help them see the consequences of this choice”
You mean help guilt them into a choice that lets you sleep at night and in the end still serves to regulate womens reproductive choices through state will? No thanks.
“And as far as GOD is concerned, I’m not one to preach”
Isn’t it interesting then how in the next breath you go on to do just that. What a shock..
Exactly which of my points, specifically, is crap?
If you are going to recite the same nonsensical blather about human life beginning when you decide it does and specious comparisons to Nazi atrocities, and the obviously deliberate avoidance of relevant questions, I’m done. Good luck with the subjugation of your own gender.
“Pregnancy only happens one way, so if it is not through forcible sex, what makes a pregnancy forced?”
You do. By advocating for policies which would prevent women from having access to safe and legal abortion. Because then, those women are forced to in fact go through with a pregnancy they have already decided, for whatever reason, they do not wish to carry to term.
Thus, forced pregnancy. It’s not rocket science.
For Al’s comment (even though he is done), dig deeper. I have not met one woman that had an abortion that did not say “I wish I had known more before I made my choice.” Its pretty clear. Nobody is guilted into anything. Like I said many times before, do your research. The women are seeking our help. Its not like we run after them yelling obscenities, give me a break! Their decision is respected, but they are welcomed back when they are sad and depressed, and feel guilty for their choice. Then there are those that tragically die during a “safe and legal abortion” Then it is family that reaches out. I really dont expect you to understand. I also dont feel the need to give you my resume, but I will say I volunteer quite a bit for a clinic, and a home for pregnant girls that have no where to go. Amongst other things. And as for your comment to what the? your forced pregnancy makes no sense. I could see if you phrased it “forced to continue a pregnancy” if thats what you mean. Forced pregnancy sounds like rape to to me.
What the? makes a great point. We dont know the exact moment cells become human. One thing is for certain though, those “cells” are human cells, a life full of potential. Life should be respected on all levels, even cellular. We all were once “a blob of cells” and look what we have become. And when it comes down to it, all we really are is cells and tissue, period. The fetal heart begins to beat at 45 days. At 10 weeks the baby looks human, with arms,legs,fingers,toes, the brain is developing. So if it looks human, has its own DNA, has a beating heart, circulatory system, nervous system, why isnt it considered human by law? Simply because it hasnt been given enough time to mature? After 20 weeks its really down to lung development. Medical science can do some amazing things,and with intense care some babys have lived. Not a high percentage, but still possible. I have confidence, that those statistics will improve in time. But, if we feel we have the right to kill those that inconvenience us, then there is no value for human life, therefore we are no better than Hitler.
Al, you are correct that pregnancy isn’t rocket science. If I raped women and impregnated them, I would be forcing pregnancies. Every time a couple has sex, they know a pregnancy may occur. If pregnancy is going to adversely affect a woman’s life that badly, she shouldn’t be having sex. I advocate for infants to have safe and legal births. I ask again, what is the exact moment that a group of cells becomes human? Without that fact, how can you come to a responsible decision to terminate a pregnancy. Your argument hinges on this fact as well as mine. If we don’t know this exact moment, we may very well be killing, correct?
For Al’s comment (even though he is done), dig deeper. I have not met one woman that had an abortion that did not say “I wish I had known more before I made my choice.” Its pretty clear. Nobody is guilted into anything. Like I said many times before, do your research. The women are seeking our help. Its not like we run after them yelling obscenities, give me a break! Their decision is respected, but they are welcomed back when they are sad and depressed, and feel guilty for their choice. Then there are those that tragically die during a “safe and legal abortion” Then it is family that reaches out. I really dont expect you to understand. I also dont feel the need to give you my resume, but I will say I volunteer quite a bit for a clinic, and a home for pregnant girls that have no where to go. Amongst other things. And as for your comment to what the? your forced pregnancy makes no sense. I could see if you phrased it “forced to continue a pregnancy” if thats what you mean. Forced pregnancy sounds like rape to to me.
What the? makes a great point. We dont know the exact moment cells become human. One thing is for certain though, those “cells” are human cells, a life full of potential. Life should be respected on all levels, even cellular. We all were once “a blob of cells” and look what we have become. And when it comes down to it, all we really are is cells and tissue, period. The fetal heart begins to beat at 45 days. At 10 weeks the baby looks human, with arms,legs,fingers,toes, the brain is developing. So if it looks human, has its own DNA, has a beating heart, circulatory system, nervous system, why isnt it considered human by law? Simply because it hasnt been given enough time to mature? After 20 weeks its really down to lung development. Medical science can do some amazing things,and with intense care some babys have lived. Not a high percentage, but still possible. I have confidence, that those statistics will improve in time. But, if we feel we have the right to kill those that inconvenience us, then there is no value for human life, therefore we are no better than Hitler.
This is one great entry, the title caught my attention so i kept on reading. I’ll subscribe soon.
“Forced pregnancy sounds like rape to to me.”
Did you stop to consider just how spot on the analogy is? Perhaps that is due to the fact that there are some very striking parallels between the denial of treatment option in the form of abortion, and a non consensual encounter of sex. They both force a woman against her will, with no concern for her voiced choices, to do something she is opposed to.
“Like I said many times before, do your research”.
I would suggest the same.
“The women are seeking our help. Its not like we run after them yelling obscenities, give me a break”
You can say that as many times as you want, it does not make it in any more credible. I’m sorry I simply do not believe you.. It comes across as very transparent.
This is one great entry, the title caught my attention so i kept on reading. I’ll subscribe soon.
“Forced pregnancy sounds like rape to to me.”
Did you stop to consider just how spot on the analogy is? Perhaps that is due to the fact that there are some very striking parallels between the denial of treatment option in the form of abortion, and a non consensual encounter of sex. They both force a woman against her will, with no concern for her voiced choices, to do something she is opposed to.
“Like I said many times before, do your research”.
I would suggest the same.
“The women are seeking our help. Its not like we run after them yelling obscenities, give me a break”
You can say that as many times as you want, it does not make it in any more credible. I’m sorry I simply do not believe you.. It comes across as very transparent.
First of all, abortion is not a “treatment option”, it is an elective procedure. For the record, for a long time I was on your side of the fence on abortion. During a chance conversation I began to question my own beliefs. I didnt know how abortions were done, I didnt know the aftermath these women felt. I didnt know they died during the procedure. I did my research. I am now on the pro life side, and will never go back. So dont spill your self rightious crap on me, because I have been where you are. Second, the amount of pregnancies concieved through rape is small, but why should there be a second victim, the unborn child. I personally know a woman that concieved her first child through a gang rape. Do you think she looks at her daughter everyday thinking about the rape? NO! She feels that atleast something good came of her tragic experience. She is a beautiful happy 4 year old. Not every woman can feel this strength, but with help I believe others can too. You can believe my approach to women or dont, but you will never convince me to join your side, I have been there. I think your idea of transparant is, that it is not your belief. I dont know how my approach can be any clearer. Your approach seems to be to ridicule those that do try to make a difference. I checked out your link from above. Im not interested in participating in that. But thanks though.
First of all, abortion is not a “treatment option”, it is an elective procedure. For the record, for a long time I was on your side of the fence on abortion. During a chance conversation I began to question my own beliefs. I didnt know how abortions were done, I didnt know the aftermath these women felt. I didnt know they died during the procedure. I did my research. I am now on the pro life side, and will never go back. So dont spill your self rightious crap on me, because I have been where you are. Second, the amount of pregnancies concieved through rape is small, but why should there be a second victim, the unborn child. I personally know a woman that concieved her first child through a gang rape. Do you think she looks at her daughter everyday thinking about the rape? NO! She feels that atleast something good came of her tragic experience. She is a beautiful happy 4 year old. Not every woman can feel this strength, but with help I believe others can too. You can believe my approach to women or dont, but you will never convince me to join your side, I have been there. I think your idea of transparant is, that it is not your belief. I dont know how my approach can be any clearer. Your approach seems to be to ridicule those that do try to make a difference. I checked out your link from above. Im not interested in participating in that. But thanks though.
I volunteer at a Womens Care Center. It is a Christian based, non-profit organization. We tell people with any medical questions that we are NOT a medical facility and they should talk to a doctor.
We do offer a free pregnancy test to any woman that comes in and asks for one. We do not lock them up in a room and keep them there.
It is a wonderful resource to many women and I wish more would get involved in helping support the facility.
We don’t press our religious views on any one. But being Christian based, we still don’t promote nor hand out information on anything Pro-abortion.
However, I am very sorry to hear this young lady was treated this way. I just don’t want any one to be detoured from seeking help from this valuable resource. Not all Crisis Centers are like that. In fact, they have been helping me a great deal with my pregnancy while my husband has been deployed in Iraq.
I volunteer at a Womens Care Center. It is a Christian based, non-profit organization. We tell people with any medical questions that we are NOT a medical facility and they should talk to a doctor.
We do offer a free pregnancy test to any woman that comes in and asks for one. We do not lock them up in a room and keep them there.
It is a wonderful resource to many women and I wish more would get involved in helping support the facility.
We don’t press our religious views on any one. But being Christian based, we still don’t promote nor hand out information on anything Pro-abortion.
However, I am very sorry to hear this young lady was treated this way. I just don’t want any one to be detoured from seeking help from this valuable resource. Not all Crisis Centers are like that. In fact, they have been helping me a great deal with my pregnancy while my husband has been deployed in Iraq.
I don't care how you put it abortion is murder. It is sad that women would rather kill their unborn child so that they can keep on living their lives without anyone putting a damper on it. That is selfish and wrong in so many ways. What about their lives? Next time don't have sex or do it safely. It's your own fault (most of the time) that you are put in that situation.
I don't think it is right to pressure someone. However, part of the video wasn't false. The practice of abortion that they depicted is true and very brutal.
You make it sound like women shouldn't want to keep their babies and that all should be killed. Obviously, women come to those places to get the information to help them make their decision, or they wouldn't be there. When I was a teen I went to the other place, the planned parenthood place, that educated me by telling me that the baby inside me was a lump of fetal tissue and not a fetus with a beating heart. You've been misinformed. The fabrication is from the other side.
A person is a person no matter how small.
Stop illegal abortion. It against human rights!!
I am prolife, but i can understand that sometimes women are put in a tough situation in which they feel they don't have a choice but to have an abortion.
In my personal opinion, the choice was made at conception but I do agree that the way that clinic acted was entirely unacceptable and unprofessional.
Abortion debate is a misnomer!! We are nt debating abortion, we are debating rights. Rights, not morals; rights, not ethics.It states that choice is a Constitutional right, like freedom of speech.
Abortion debate is a misnomer!! We are nt debating abortion, we are debating rights. Rights, not morals; rights, not ethics.It states that choice is a Constitutional right, like freedom of speech.
I volunteer at a christian pro-life pregnancy center. NOT all centers are the the one the lady described. The center I'm at clearly states their views during an intake appointment, that we are pro-life, do not perform abortions or refer to anyone.If a client chooses to be involved in peer counseling, yes a video may be watched, but there are no scare tactics involved.
It is places like the one the lady experienced that give pregnancy centers a bad name!
YAA THE VERY GOOD POST I LIKE YOU R POST , BABY MORE LIKE LOVE FROM PARENT THEN ANY THEING ELSE
The only thing the author did not have a response for was the part of the video where they show the fetus/baby being aborted. That part IS true. It DOES happen.
Also, for those of you who say that the fetus is just tissue. Have you ever had an ultrasound at 6weeks? I have. It's a baby. tissue doesn't have a beating heart.
And, maybe they asked her her religious beliefs so that they would be able to NOT offend her. If she was a Christian…they could talk to her from that perspective. If not, then they wouldn't use that language and offend her.
I'm not angry. Just wondering why people are so insistent that the living thing with a beating heart and a developing brain isn't a baby. I don't get it. Is it so that they don't have to feel guilty
In this case only SIX words that I always kept in mind, “STOP ABORTION-STOP KILLING OUR GENERATION”.