Overall, I appreciated the work that the four of you put into the debate. Ken and Ryan, you both had a lot of facts and were very well organized and clear. (JM and Noel…a little less so). In the cross-examination, Jessica and Noel did a nice job of forcing Ken and Ryan into some uncomfortable corners.

Some general information: It was pretty clear that Jessica and Noel hated their position. Try to avoid letting your own presuppositions influence your argument. [I know this is hard, but you can't present a compelling case while actually affirming the other side's position (e.g., "I know that a child is a blessing," "God's Word tells us that we cannot perform abortions").

I know that this was a "mock" debate, it was pretty clear that some of our "real" beliefs were revealed. For some of you, this issue seems to be very "black and white," and while it is perfectly legitimate to be pro-life, I at least want you to be aware of the inherent difficulties of this position. For example, what about cases of rape or incest? What about cases where the health of the mother is in serious jeopardy if she attempts to carry the baby to term? What about the difficulties for children born out of wedlock to teenage mothers of a low socio-economic status? [This is not a plea for you to change your position, this is a plea for you to be aware of the difficulties!]

Instead of “realizing” the difficulties, it seems as though we are content to conclude: If you get pregnant, tough luck – you shouldn’t have had sex in the first place. Or, if you don’t want the baby, give it up for adoption (thinking that this will not have a dramatic effect on the child or that this is a simple procedure). Or, if you have to ever make a tough decision between the life of your unborn child and the life of your wife, the answer is clear – carry the baby to term and let the chips fall where they may.

If that is the position you hold (i.e., the clear cut, sin is sin, abortion is murder in every case), I would encourage you to (1) actually think through these issues with sensitivity, (2) actually do something to help teenage mothers or widows or orphans, and (3) be consistent with your viewpoint (e.g., does a potentially unhealthy mother have a choice, whereas a teenage girl does not? or, what are the implications of a pro-life stance on contraception?).

I understand your frustration with abortions that are performed in order to rid a potential mother of the inconvenience of giving birth. But, I also want you to be aware that some decisions are made with hesitancy, some decisions are ambiguous, sometimes “God’s plan” does not resolve itself in ways that you will be completely comfortable with.

[Again, my goal here is not to make you change your position on this issue. In addition to desiring that you see the "grey" in the issue, my goal is also to make you understand that if we are pro-life, this carries serious consequences for how we view the world and for our responsibilities in it. It is no good to shout the loudest against abortion. Instead, help people in need. Make a difference. Care for the sanctity of the lives of those around you, in addition to the unborn fetuses, whose rights you so passionately defend.]

Thoughts on the debate? Questions unanswered? Arguments against my little rant?