There is a group of people outside the Planned Parenthood here who are going to be there 24/7 protesting abortion for 40 days. What do you all think about that? Is it a good method of protest against abortion, or could a better one be had? Also, is there anything they could do that could better help those who are having abortions/getting abortions, or is this the best way?

NOTE: I DO NOT want to hear your thoughts on why abortion is or is not wrong. Those belong here, here, or here, but not in all three. What I want to know is your opinion on how abortion protests-- this one in particular-- are handled, and if there is a better way in stopping/controlling abortion, or even if it should/should not be controlled. But please don't tell me abortion is wrong, or that we don't know about a mother's circumstances, etc. Those belong on any of the other threads.

This method would be good for raising awareness, but since everyone is pretty aware of abortion and that a lot of people are against it, I don't see what this will accomplish.

quote:

Forty Days

I believe he fasted for 40 days and prayed/meditated in order to fully raise his consciousness to the highest it can be on this earth plane, i.e. full enlightenment/liberation. When someone is at this level of consciousness, they "understand" all the laws of nature and creation, and can thus manipulate creation (completely?) at will.

These powers are also called "siddhis" in classical Hindu/Vedanta literature, and there are many ways to train yourself to gain them. Raising your consciousness automatically enables you to gain some of them (sometimes). However, almost all sages agree that these powers are a distraction from the main goal of liberation from all suffering.

Since we live in the "Land of the Free", the protestors have their right to do it. I don't however, agree with it.

I understand their view point of why they'd do it, for their own personal reasons. But who are they to determine what other people do with their lives?

I think it comes down to respect. A lack a respect, in my POV, is clearly present in this situation.

Picketing (most often in the forms of yelling and screaming) has never been a good method. It just gets people angry and defensive, even folks who are normally calm and collected. It brings out the worst in everyone. It's like there's a huge cloud of hate hovering over everyone, and it doesn't matter whose side you're on; you're victim to it.