2008 Woodie Awards
Pro-life group wants to create dialogue
By: Elysse Bonner
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Features
When many people hear the term "pro-life," they think "abortion." But a new organization on campus, Chico State Students for Life, aims to expand meaning on the phrase and raise awareness.
"Life issues are not only on abortion," said senior Jandi Pereida, president of the organization. "They include things like genocide, capital punishment and embryo research. We are trying to promote a culture of life. There needs to be awareness."
Despite the controversy and sensitivity surrounding the topics, the organization, which had its first meeting in March, promotes non-abrasive ways to tackle and discuss the issues.
The group members are nonjudgmental, peaceful and will not engage in inappropriate debates, Pereida said. They are not protestors and are not trying to swarm people with what they support.
"We are just trying to give out information and are available to people who want to know about us," she said.
Group helps support
Pereida is working on activities for the organization, she said. These include supporting the Women's Resource Center, counseling women who have had abortions, hosting baby shower fundraisers to collect items for new moms and demonstrations with a model fetus to show the growth stages a baby goes through.
The group is a fairly even mixture of men and women, and both weigh in on all the issues, including abortion.
"It takes two to create life - not only one person should have the right to take that child's life away," said junior Mike Kain. "Obviously there are extreme cases, such as rape, where the man might not be available to make a decision, but if a man is trying to stop his partner from having an abortion, he should have that right."
Motivations differ
Kain joined the group because he wants to change the association surrounding the term pro-life, he said. He wants people who are pro-life in some aspect to come together and discuss the issues.
"A lot of times people think they have to be completely either pro-life or pro-choice," Kain said. "We welcome people that may be for certain issues but against others."
Another issue the group will address is the concept of unjust war. Group members defined a just war as one needed for self-defense, but still admit war is a gray area.
"I can't speak for everyone in the group, but I think Iraq is a prime example of an unjust war," Kain said. "What we have going on there is a form of genocide."
Chico State Students for Life is also active in legislation. The group is trying to collect signatures for Sarah's Law, which will require physicians to notify a parent or adult family member 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor.
The group has collected about 75 of the 700,000 signatures needed statewide to qualify the initiative for the 2008 ballot.
"Sarah's Law has been approved in 36 states, and within these states there has been a significant decrease in underage abortions," said senior Sarah Cox, a member of the group. "So it is working."
Campus reacts to idea
Junior Jessica O'Donnell, program coordinator at the Women's Center, is unaware of Chico State Students for Life, but has concerns about similar groups.
"My biggest issue as far as pro-life groups go is that many of them neglect to deal with adoption, childcare and other concerns that result when a woman has a child," O'Donnell said. "When you deny a woman an abortion that really wants one, you are risking the lives of women by not giving them a safe and available place to go."
Membership open to all
Most members are from the Newman Catholic Center, but junior Jeremy Bermender doesn't want to discourage people from joining Chico State Students for Life, he said
"All beliefs are welcome to join the organization," Bermender said. "Even if you are atheist, it doesn't matter. We will welcome your input."
Bermender is passionate about making a difference and wants the group to be a resource for people with questions about these issues, he said. Discussions help address different viewpoints that may not have been considered before.
The second meeting is 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday in Bell Memorial Union, Room 210, and members are hoping more students join.
"Anyone is welcome to come - men, women, faculty, students," Pereida said. "And for anything to happen, we really need students to get involved. We are all people and need to have dignity and respect for all life."
Jeanetta Bradley can be reached at
jbradley@theorion.com
"Life issues are not only on abortion," said senior Jandi Pereida, president of the organization. "They include things like genocide, capital punishment and embryo research. We are trying to promote a culture of life. There needs to be awareness."
Despite the controversy and sensitivity surrounding the topics, the organization, which had its first meeting in March, promotes non-abrasive ways to tackle and discuss the issues.
The group members are nonjudgmental, peaceful and will not engage in inappropriate debates, Pereida said. They are not protestors and are not trying to swarm people with what they support.
"We are just trying to give out information and are available to people who want to know about us," she said.
Group helps support
Pereida is working on activities for the organization, she said. These include supporting the Women's Resource Center, counseling women who have had abortions, hosting baby shower fundraisers to collect items for new moms and demonstrations with a model fetus to show the growth stages a baby goes through.
The group is a fairly even mixture of men and women, and both weigh in on all the issues, including abortion.
"It takes two to create life - not only one person should have the right to take that child's life away," said junior Mike Kain. "Obviously there are extreme cases, such as rape, where the man might not be available to make a decision, but if a man is trying to stop his partner from having an abortion, he should have that right."
Motivations differ
Kain joined the group because he wants to change the association surrounding the term pro-life, he said. He wants people who are pro-life in some aspect to come together and discuss the issues.
"A lot of times people think they have to be completely either pro-life or pro-choice," Kain said. "We welcome people that may be for certain issues but against others."
Another issue the group will address is the concept of unjust war. Group members defined a just war as one needed for self-defense, but still admit war is a gray area.
"I can't speak for everyone in the group, but I think Iraq is a prime example of an unjust war," Kain said. "What we have going on there is a form of genocide."
Chico State Students for Life is also active in legislation. The group is trying to collect signatures for Sarah's Law, which will require physicians to notify a parent or adult family member 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor.
The group has collected about 75 of the 700,000 signatures needed statewide to qualify the initiative for the 2008 ballot.
"Sarah's Law has been approved in 36 states, and within these states there has been a significant decrease in underage abortions," said senior Sarah Cox, a member of the group. "So it is working."
Campus reacts to idea
Junior Jessica O'Donnell, program coordinator at the Women's Center, is unaware of Chico State Students for Life, but has concerns about similar groups.
"My biggest issue as far as pro-life groups go is that many of them neglect to deal with adoption, childcare and other concerns that result when a woman has a child," O'Donnell said. "When you deny a woman an abortion that really wants one, you are risking the lives of women by not giving them a safe and available place to go."
Membership open to all
Most members are from the Newman Catholic Center, but junior Jeremy Bermender doesn't want to discourage people from joining Chico State Students for Life, he said
"All beliefs are welcome to join the organization," Bermender said. "Even if you are atheist, it doesn't matter. We will welcome your input."
Bermender is passionate about making a difference and wants the group to be a resource for people with questions about these issues, he said. Discussions help address different viewpoints that may not have been considered before.
The second meeting is 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday in Bell Memorial Union, Room 210, and members are hoping more students join.
"Anyone is welcome to come - men, women, faculty, students," Pereida said. "And for anything to happen, we really need students to get involved. We are all people and need to have dignity and respect for all life."
Jeanetta Bradley can be reached at
jbradley@theorion.com
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SilentDay.org
posted 10/18/08 @ 1:49 PM PST
for those who will never have a voice...
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