Have you ever noticed that a critic of a particular stance or belief, who has changed their viewpoint or stance, is really the most powerfully effective person to be the catalyst for change? Think about this, a person who has a particular belief or makes a stand on a certain matter will defend that belief or stance to the best of their ability.
However, if they become disillusioned/free of that belief or stand; they have in other words switched sides and are convinced that they were wrong in their original position of belief. For every argument or discussion, they have a response to their opposition’s point of view because they have defended or stood up for each point of discussion on the other side. It is sort of like arguing with yourself, inside your head when you are weighing a decision. When you finally decide what is the correct point of view, it becomes the one that you most effectively communicate to others because you have DECIDED the issue in your own mind first!
So, for those who have been a strong, vocal voice say in the realm of spiritual discussions such as atheism over a belief in God and have switched sides; they are much more persuasive in their discussions with other atheists. Or, say for example a political representative for one party over another suddenly switches sides…they become a powerful tool to their former political opponents because they have inside information on how the other party approached certain issues or subjects and even how they operated as an organization. Even the media sits up and takes notice if a politician switches sides on an issue or political affiliation.
Now this morning I read, with interest, a news item about a woman who worked for eight years as a director for a Planned Parenthood clinic. She for years defended the right of women to seek services at her clinic and to even have abortions if it was the decision that they made that was considered to be in their best interest. She was a very strong voice for pro-choice issues. She hinted that while Planned Parenthood is a multi-service organization which helps families to handle their reproductive health and educates them, there is not much money in the education portion of the business.
The lucrative side of the business comes from performing abortions, according to Abby Johnson’s statements. She said she was getting internal, personal pressure to increase the clinics profitability. What seemed to change her opinion on pro-choice beliefs to one of a vocal stance of pro-life is when she witnessed, for the first time the actual death of a fetus on an ultra sound monitor as the baby was vacuumed out of it’s mother’s body.
It doesn’t get any more real than watching a baby’s body dissolve into pieces when it was moments before a connected living creature inside of it’s mother’s womb. Abortion is destructive to the life of the child as well as potentially destructive to the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the mother. Often the opinion of fathers of babies who lives hang in the balance while a woman considers her “option” of abortion, are not considered because the child is encased inside of the woman’s body. It is somehow “her decision”. The decision to abort a fetus/child is one that will impact the individuals involved for the rest of their lives. Relationships can be forever destroyed by the decision to abort a baby. Trust, respect and responsibility are all tightly woven into people’s opinions on the subject.
Abby Johnson now stands outside of the very clinic and protests with an anti-abortion group. To me, this kind of critic is way more powerful than a person who has always believed that it was wrong. It is not to say that those people aren’t as convicted about their beliefs because obviously they are if they live their lives supporting that belief; however, a person who now stands toe- to -toe against their formally declared opinion or stance is what I call an effective critic.
When they declare that they have decided that their previous belief was wrong and take action to correct their actions from before…I find that persuasive and potentially, life changing for their circle of influence.
I would like to add a link, with permission granted, to an interesting article written by @mommyperks from my Twitter stream. I think she has written a wonderful article with an interesting personal interview with a young woman, regarding her regret over having an abortion. Please read: http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=3427 . Thank you!
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This is such an emotionally charged and controversial issue, Rainy. I am so grateful that you are keeping it in public view.
Sometimes we fancy that if we ignore an issue it will go away or resolve itself. That isn’t possible in this case, so your keeping our attention focused on the matter is beneficial to all parties concerned.
May God bless your efforts richly.
Hugs,
Mother Connie
http://thehealthyandwealthyyou.com/blog