Three Simple Pro-Life Debating Tactics

The idea of debating abortion can seem daunting and downright terrifying, but it really doesn't have to be. ANYONE can debate skillfully, logically, and clearly using three, simply pro-life points and tactics. If you can remember these tactics and practice them frequently, you will be surprised at how easy the pro-life argument becomes!

#1 What is the Unborn?

Many pro-life apologists will argue this question is at the heart of the pro-life argument and really the only question that needs to be answered because if the unborn are human, we are NEVER justified in killing them. However, if they are not human, abortion really should not be that big a deal. So how can we prove the unborn are human? #1 Alive Science states in order for something to be living, it must grow, respond to stimuli, and metabolize nutrients. We know the unborn grow. We know they respond to stimuli (i.e. reflexes). We know they metabolize nutrients. Hence, the unborn are living. #2 Distinct We know the unborn are distinct living beings because their biological and genetic makeup clearly differs from the mother (i.e. DNA, blood type, circulatory system, different gender, unique fingerprints, different brain waves) and they can be conceived outside of the body. #3 Human We know every living being "tends" to reproduce after his or her own kind. We know that lions give birth to lions. We know dogs reproduce dogs. No question. And we certainly are not surprised when we discover that we give birth to... *gasp* humans! DNA also tells us that the unborn are human. Not potential humans. Humans.

#2 Trot Out A Toddler

So that sounds great and all, but how am I supposed to get the debate focused on this question when the other person keeps mentioning things like rape and women's reproductive rights? Trot Out A Toddler's main purpose is to bring the debate to (or back to) the question "What is the unborn?" in order that you can argue the fundamental point: if the unborn are human, we are never justified in killing them. To demonstrate this, let's use an example: Pro-Choice Advocate: "Abortion should be legal because women have the right to privacy." Pro-Life Advocate: "Okay, I understand what you are saying. However, is a mother justified in killing her two year old son in the privacy of her own home?" Pro-Choice Advocate: "No, of course not! That's murder!" Pro-Life Advocate: "Why is it murder?" Pro-Choice Advocate: "Because he is a living human being!" Pro-Life Advocate: "Exactly, and see, I don't think there is any difference between that toddler and a child in the womb. They are both human. We don't kill the toddler because he is a living human being and we shouldn't kill the unborn because they are a living human being. Here is why we know they are human..." In short, this debating tactic applies a specific pro-choice argument to a toddler to show the absurdity of their argument and to demonstrate that the unborn is just as human as a toddler. It can be used for every single argument that questions the humanity of the unborn: rape, incest, education, financial situations, etc. Practice applying Trot Out A Toddler to other pro-choice arguments and soon it'll become second nature!

#3 The SLED Test

There are some cases where people will admit the humanity of the unborn but claim they are not valuable or not persons. ​​You might be asking at this point, "What the heck is the difference between a human and a person?" Well, according to pro-choice apologists, a person is a specific type of human that displays certain traits that...well, basically the unborn can't display yet. This is obviously unjust discrimination. ​While this argument could be refuted using philosophy, we are going to take a different approach: the SLED test. SLED stands for: Size Level of Development Environment Degree of Dependency Simply put, no human being should be unjustly discriminated against based on size, level of development, environment, or degree of dependency. Size: If we don't think of a 4'1" man as less human than a 6'3" man, why would we think of a child in the womb as less human than an adult simply because he or she is smaller? Level of Development: If we don't view a toddler as less human than an adult simply because the toddler is less developed, why would we view an unborn baby as less human simply because he or she is less developed than those outside the womb? Environment: When did changing one's environment change one's level of humanity? An astronaut is in a radically different environment than we on earth. Does that change his or her level of humanity? Definitely not. On this note, a seven inch journey down the birth canal does not instantly change one's humanity. Degree of Dependency: A toddler is much more dependent on others than an adult. Does that mean toddlers are less human than adults? No. So why would an unborn child be less human because of his or her dependency on the mother and environment?

And there you have it! Three simple ways that will help you debate like an expert. If you have any questions about this, make sure to email us at millennials4life@gmail.com or message us on Facebook! Now go debate!

Helen is a graduating high school senior with a strong passion for the pro-life movement. As the founder of The Pro-Life Generation, she hopes to help create passionate, informed leaders of tomorrow in order to create a culture of life. In her spare time, she also enjoys playing her violin, debating her faith and beliefs, and brushing up on her history and great books

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